Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Fuels Debate Over Widespread HIV Testing And Its Cost
The wider use of a cheap blood test could help cut the number of new HIV infections by more than 80,000 in the United States over 20 years, but the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force hasn’t come around to that view.
New Rules Would Require Insurers To Justify Double-Digit Rate Increases
The Obama administration’s proposed rule would require health insurers to explain in detail any rate increase of 10 percent or more in 2011.
Innovative Day-Care Program Seeks To Keep Frail, Low-Income Seniors In Their Homes
PACE offers comprehensive medical and social services and supporters say it can reduce hospital and nursing home stays and save money for Medicare and Medicaid.
Analysis: The Long Road To A Supreme Court Decision On Health Law’s Mandate
Federal District Court decisions on health law cheer both sides as issue heads to Supreme Court.
Transcript: Health Law Repeal Efforts To Gain Steam, Others Stand Against It
Republican efforts to repeal the health overhaul law will be a central focus for the party when the 112th Congress convenes in January, while Democrats will fight repeal or any significant changes to the measure.
GOP Lobbyists Return To Capitol Hill
Prominent health care lobbyist Howard Cohen is returning to the Hill as a key committee staffer now that the GOP is back in charge of the House.
Emergency Rooms Predict More Patient Visits As Law Expands Insurance Coverage
A new survey of emergency department administrators shows most believe the new health law will drive more patients to their facilities.
U.K. Health Maps Show A Shared Problem Across The Pond?
Doctors in some areas of Britain do one type of hip replacement at rates up to 16 times greater than in places like London, according to a November atlas by the National Health Service, mirroring a problem Medicare researchers have seen in the U.S.
Experts Ponder ‘Plan B’ Options For The Individual Mandate
If the courts were to strike down the provision of the health law requiring consumers to buy insurance, some experts say there are other ways to get people covered.
State Insurance Officials Approve Rules For Descriptions Of Health Policies
Under the health overhaul law, insurers will be required to provide their benefits information on a standardized chart using the same plain English terms as other companies to help shoppers understand and compare complicated policies.
Virginia Panel: Implement Health Law And Improve Care
A panel appointed by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell strongly recommended Tuesday that the state move to implement the health overhaul law and take other steps to significantly improve health care in the state.
Transcript: Stuart Taylor On Health Law Decision
Jackie Judd talks with attorney and journalist Stuart Taylor about the ruling today by U.s. District Court Judge Henry Hudson that one part of the new health law is unconstitutional.
Americans’ Opinions Of Health Law Shifts – Just A Little
A new tracking poll finds the public is sharply divided over the new health law. However, seniors’ opposition has dropped since the bill passed in March.
Want To Avoid Unnecessary Tests? Stick To One ER, Researchers Say
New study in Massachusetts finds that too often patients go to multiple emergency rooms for treatment but health records often don’t follow.
Text: Judge Hudson’s Decision Striking Down Part Of Health Law
Text: Federal judge Henry Hudson in Virginia on Monday struck down part of the health care law that mandates most Americans buy health insurance or face paying a penalty. Here’s his decision.
Democrats Ramp Up War On GOP Health Benefits
While Republicans continue to plot ways to reverse the Affordable Care Act when they take over the House Jan. 5, Democrats are stepping up their attack on Republicans’ own health benefits.
New Rules Spell Out Protections For Consumers With ‘Limited Benefit’ Insurance Policies
HHS says that employers and insurers have 60 days to send out detailed notices to consumers on the limitations of their health insurance policies, which could have effects on so-called ‘mini-med’ policies.
A New Nursing Home Population: The Young
Young people ages 31 to 64 now make up 14 percent of the nursing home population, an analysis of federal data from the Department of Health and Human Services by NPR’s Investigative Unit found.
Big Health Insurers Seek To Boost DC Influence
Five large health insurers are shopping for a public relations firm as they build a coalition to influence implementation of the health law and congressional action on it.
Checking In With Dr. Arthur Garson On ‘Health Care Half Truths’
KHN interviews Dr. Arthur Garson, Jr., on health care sound bites and myths. He says that the massive amount of confusion plaguing reform efforts confirms just how pervasive such myths can be.
