Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health On The Hill – August 31, 2009
New federal deficit numbers in combination with concerns that some voters have expressed at town hall meetings this August over the size, scope and cost of health care legislation may lead lawmakers to reconsider elements of the measure Democrats want to pass this year. The death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., may create new momentum among Democrats and Republicans to resolve their differences over the bill, but the many complexities involved with any overhaul of the nation’s health care system guarantee a lengthy debate this fall.
A Conversation With Kennedy Biographer Adam Clymer
KHN’s Eric Pianin talks with author and former New York Times congressional correspondent Adam Clymer about the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and his legacy of federal health care legislation and reform.
Journalist and author T.R. Reid traveled the world in search of a better health care system — and help for his sore shoulder. He talks about his journey in a new book — The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care — with KHN’s Laurie McGinley.
Health On The Hill – August 24, 2009
A bipartisan group of Senate Finance Committee members continues its negotiations on a bipartisan health care package while some Democrats want the party to push its own package if those negotiations fail.
Ad Audit: Quick Takes On The Ad Wars
Jackie Judd talks with KHN’s Jordan Rau about the advertising blizzard surrounding the health care debate. Tens of millions of dollars have already been spent supporting and attacking efforts by President Barack Obama and Congress to overhaul the nation’s medical system, with the ads running in the capital and the districts of key lawmakers.
Health On The Hill – August 19, 2009
Jackie Judd talks with KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin about the growing political pressure on President Obama and congressional Democrats to scale back the cost and scope of the health care overhaul legislation this fall.
Health On The Hill – August 17, 2009
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and NPR health correspondent Julie Rovner talk about the chances that the public option will not be in a health overhaul bill, details about how health cooperatives might work and the flap over end of life care. A podcast and transcript are also available.
Excerpts of President Obama’s Montana Town Hall Meeting
At President Barack Obama’s town hall meeting in Belgrade, Montana, he was asked a number of questions about his push for health reform, including two pointed ones on paying for a health overhaul and on small business and insurance coverage.
Health On The Hill – August 10, 2009
Today’s Health on the Hill is mostly about health off the Hill. Jackie Judd talks with Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown about the contentious town hall meetings and how the lawmakers are preparing themselves for questions. The White House has launched a Web site to try to correct false rumors and to push the President’s agenda on health reform.
Community Health Centers Fill Big Need During Recession
As the economy has worsened, community health centers – which provide free and reduced-cost care to millions of Americans – have felt the pinch . Facilities, such as the Walker-Jones Health Center in Washington D.C., will have even more patients if Congress passes a health overhaul that expands coverage.
Health On The Hill – August 3, 2009
Jackie Judd talks with Eric Pianin about the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s vote last Friday, wrapping up its work on major health care legislation, before Congress adjourns for the August recess.
Health On The Hill – July 29, 2009
Jackie Judd talks with Eric Pianin, reporting from Capitol Hill, on today’s significant developments. A stalemate between Blue Dogs and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman was broken, and in the Senate Finance Committee, a new CBO score was substantially less than what had been projected.
Health On The Hill – July 28, 2009
Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin of Kaiser Health News provide an update on health overhaul negotiations on Capitol Hill.
Health on the Hill – July 27, 2009
In today’s Health On The Hill, Jackie Judd talks to Kaiser Health News’ Mary Agnes Carey about what will be a crucial week for health care legislation.
President Obama’s News Conference On Health Reform
Excerpts from President Obama’s news conference, held on July 22, 2009.
Health on the Hill – July 20, 2009
The House Energy and Commerce Committee continues its consideration of health care overhaul legislation this week while Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is still developing his panel’s health care package. Meanwhile, President Obama is pressing lawmakers to keep the momentum going on health care and has scheduled several public appearances this week to discuss health care legislation.
Checking In With Fitzhugh Mullan
Pediatrician Fitzhugh Mullan has been practicing public service medicine for more than 40 years. In a new essay in the journal Health Affairs, he calls on activists to resurrect “the fire of the Civil Rights movement” in their quest for universal health care.
Obama’s Remarks on Health Reform
President Barack Obama delivered remarks from the White House on health reform. He urged Congress not to postpone passing health care legislation.
Health On The Hill – July 13, 2009
Opposition from a group of fiscally conservative House Democrats known as the “Blue Dogs” has slowed release of the House Democrats’ health care measure, while members of the Senate Finance Committee continue to work toward a consensus package. Opposition to taxing employer-provided health insurance benefits has caused Senate Finance negotiators to find other options to pay for the bill. Meanwhile, some lawmakers and health care analysts have urged President Obama to take a greater role to keep Capitol Hill focused on passing health care legislation.
A Passionate Voice For Single Payer
Donna Smith is a cancer survivor whose personal experience with insurance has driven her to become a full-time advocate for a single-payer health system, which would replace private insurers with a single, tax-funded government program.
