Latest KFF Health News Stories
Blue Dogs’ Health Demands Get Boost From CBO
A leader of the Blue Dog Coalition of conservative House Democrats says he and six others in the group would vote together to block the health overhaul bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee unless changes were made to slow the rate of growth of federal health care spending, a concern raised by CBO Director Elmendorf yesterday.
Administration Facing Tough Sell To Doctors On Health IT
This week, progress was made in developing the framework for the $33 billion health information technology initiative created by the stimulus bill. Dr. David Blumenthal, who heads the Office of the National Coordinator, is a key figure in the process. But he still faces one of the most difficult challenges — convincing doctors that it is in their interest to participate.
Comments By CBO Director Underscore Conservatives’ Health Bill Concerns
A leader of the Blue Dog Coalition of conservative House Democrats said today that he and six others in the group will vote together to block health care legislation in committee unless changes are made to slow the rate of growth of federal health care spending and to ensure that rural hospitals are adequately reimbursed for treating new patients under the legislation.
Health Overhaul Bills Move Forward On Capitol Hill
A health overhaul bill cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee yesterday, which it passed 13-10 on a party-line vote. Meanwhile, Democrats in the House of pushed held the first hearing on their version of health reform.
Transcript: President Obama On Health Reform
President Barack Obama spoke today in the Rose Garden on health care reform. The White House released his remarks. He spoke about the importance of nurses in the health care system.
For Many Workers, Insurance Choices May be Limited
President Obama and leading Democrats have stressed that people who like their employer-sponsored insurance would be able to keep it, under a health care overhaul. But they haven’t emphasized the flip side: That people who don’t like their coverage might have to keep it.
KHN’s Eric Pianin Discusses The House Health Overhaul Bill
House Democrats released their health care reform bill called “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act.” Kaiser Health News Correspondent Eric Pianin discusses the bill with Jackie Judd.
Abortion Issue Could Derail Health Care Overhaul
Senators working to craft an overhaul bill have turned back several abortion-related amendments.
Federal Nursing Home Web Site Attracts Visitors — And Debate
The federal Nursing Home Compare Web site has drawn millions of visitors since it posted movie-review-style ratings of nursing homes last year. Both the industry and consumer advocates are seeking changes, including the way homes’ staffing levels are assessed.
Checking In With SEIU’s Dennis Rivera
Dennis Rivera is spearheading the Service Employees International Union’s political campaign to influence the health care debate. He discusses what the country’s largest health care union, with 1.1 million members, is trying to accomplish.
Transcript: Health on the Hill Reporter Roundtable
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. Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin of Kaiser Health News and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar of the Associated Press discuss the details. Jackie Judd moderates.
The Hunt For Affordable Health Insurance
In a follow-up to an earlier story about the difficulty of finding health insurance for a rural small businessman, an insurance broker helps Larry Harbour of Broken Bow, Neb., find affordable coverage.
Liberals Brace For Fight Over Scope Of Health Legislation
House Democratic leaders are preparing to unveil a sweeping health overhaul plan that will set the stage for a fight over the most contentious issues. The bill embraces liberal principles even as moderates and conservatives in both parties argue for changes in areas such as taxation and the role of the government in providing insurance.
While advocates say insurance exchanges would stimulate price competition and give consumers new choices, there’s also a risk these programs could undermine the employer-based health insurance system. Here are nine questions and answers about exchanges and their role in health reform.
Exchanges May Play Key Role In An Overhauled Health System
Insurance exchanges are a critical part of proposed health system overhaul legislation. They could transform how insurance is sold. But experts warn that without the right structure and rules, exchanges could undermine the employer-based insurance system.
“Partnership” Policies for Long-Term Care Hold Promise–and Pitfalls
To encourage people to buy long-term care insurance, more states are starting programs that allow people to keep some assets if they exhaust insurance benefits and need to go on Medicaid. Without such an arrangement, they would have to “spend down” assets to qualify for Medicaid. But, experts warn, the policies need strong inflation protections.
New Face Of The Uninsured: Middle-Class Americans
The recession has left a growing number of middle-income Americans without health insurance.
Small Business Owners Deliver Mixed Messages To Capitol Hill
Small business organizations are encouraging members to make their views about health overhaul proposals known through emails, letters, phone calls and personal visits to Capitol Hill. But small business, a powerful constituency in every congressional district, no longer speaks with one voice on health care.
Hospitals, After Agreeing to Cuts, Push Ahead With a Full Agenda
Hospital officials today agreed to federal-payment cuts to help pay for a health care overhaul. They hope their concessions will build good will with the Obama administration and Democratic lawmakers. They’re pressing for action on a host of other issues, including Medicaid reimbursements and funding for graduate medical education.
Obama Backs Helping Hand For Long-Term Care
The Obama administration has endorsed a new government social insurance program that would help people put aside money to pay for the high costs of long-term care.
