Latest KFF Health News Stories
In Health Care Debate, Fear Trumps Logic
Every effort to remake America’s health care system since the 1930s has been scuttled by the same technique – scaring the public. The opponents have been different, ranging from the AMA to the insurance industry to conservative ideologues. But the playbook has remained the same. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Nurses, Once in High Demand, Face Job Shortages
As economic conditions force a tighter job market, new nurses find it’s harder than ever to land their dream job-or any job, for that matter. It’s especially difficult in metropolitan areas.
Sen. Charles E. Grassley Discusses Prospects For Health Legislation
In an interview with KHN, Grassley talks about the impact of town hall meetings on bipartisan negotiations.
Grassley: No Longer Sure Bipartisan Health Deal Possible In September
Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Finance Committee, says that mounting public concern about the federal deficit and government spending could hurt prospects for a bipartisan health care overhaul deal when Congress returns to work next month.
Steele: Don’t Raid Medicare To Fund Health Changes
Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele opposes a government-run health care system, as do most members of his party. While most health care overhaul proposals assume big savings by reworking Medicare, Steele says Medicare needs to be protected and not cut in the name of health insurance reform. But he also says he favors some cuts to maximize the program’s efficiencies. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Doctors Disagree About Effectiveness, Cost Of Stents
For policymakers to cut medical spending, they must persuade doctors that some procedures are unnecessary. A friendly debate between two cardiologists over using stents to unclog arteries shows how hard it may be to achieve that consensus. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Recalling Kennedy: Health Care Players Reflect on His Career
People who knew and worked with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy discuss his efforts to promote major change in the U.S. health care system.
Kennedy Biographer Adam Clymer: Kennedy Shaped Obama’s Health Agenda
Adam Clymer is the author of a remarkable biography, “Edward M. Kennedy,” which captures the sweep and breadth of the senator’s remarkable half century of public service. KHN’s Eric Pianin talked with Clymer about Sen. Kennedy.
Sen. Enzi Plays Crucial Role Negotiating Health Care
Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. represents the smallest state in population but he has a big role to play in the negotiations to overhaul health care. Enzi is one of the “gang of six” senators crafting the Senate’s health care bill. He says he won’t vote for any measure that can’t get the support of 75 to 80 senators. This story comes from our partner NPR News
Should The Homeless Be In Medicaid?
Most homeless people lack insurance and rely on the emergency room and government-funded clinics for treatment. Advocates say the existing system is inadequate as well as expensive for taxpayers, and that expanding Medicaid to include the homeless is a better option. This story comes from our partner NPR News
Children’s Advocates Fear Health Reform Could Undermine CHIP
Proposals to move disadvantaged youngsters from the Children’s Health Insurance Program to health exchanges raise concerns that benefits would be reduced.
Transcript: 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.
Transcript: 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.
Is Grassley Abandoning Bipartisan Health Bill?
Republican Sen. Charles Grassley’s evolution – from legislator once complimented by President Obama for his willingness to work across the aisle to one of the president’s critics on health care – is a sign that the chances for passing a bipartisan health care bill have all but disintegrated. This story comes from our partner NPR News
Democrats’ Strategy to Avoid Filibuster Carries Serious Risks
Congressional leaders are considering invoking rarely used budget rules that would allow a health reform bill to be passed by a simple majority. But the technique could backfire and leave key provisions of the overhaul legislation vulnerable to Republican challenge.
Democrats’ Go-It-Alone Strategy
If Democratic leaders and the White House use “reconciliation” budget rules this fall to try to pass health overhaul legislation without Republican support, how would it work?
A guide to the definitions of the complex terminology of budget reconciliation.
‘Don’t Choose Paper’: Sebelius, Blumenthal Provide Detail On Health IT Funds
At a forum in Chicago, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Vice President Joe Biden announced Thursday the release of $1.2 billion of stimulus money to help with the adoption of electronic medical records at a forum in Chicago.
Transcript: 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.
Attacks May Force Democrats To Scale Back Health Reform Ambitions
Although some Democratic party stalwarts still urge administration to hold out for a comprehensive health care bill, others say a defeat in Congress could be politically disastrous.