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Latest KFF Health News Stories

Alzheimer’s Patients Struggle Without Insurance

KFF Health News Original

Alzheimer’s is thought of as a disease of the elderly, but hundreds of thousands of cases are in men and women under 65. Because the disease makes it difficult to work, these people often lose their jobs – and their health insurance.

True Believers: Selling a Single-Payer System, Despite a Lack of Buyers

KFF Health News Original

Largely ignored by lawmakers and administration officials, advocates of a government-run health system nevertheless are doggedly campaigning for a regime they say would be less expensive and more efficient-as well as morally superior-to the changes being debated in Congress.

Hospital Deal Could Come Wednesday

KFF Health News Original

The hospital industry is nearing a deal with the White House and congressional Democrats to accept Medicare and Medicaid cuts. Such an agreement, coming on the heels of one with the drug industry, would increase momentum for overhauling the health care system by providing additional funds to finance the effort.

Transcript: KHN’s Health On The Hill

KFF Health News Original

Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News, Carrie Budoff Brown of Politico and Jeffrey Young of The Hill discuss health care reform as Congress returns from its July 4th recess.

Hospitals Close to Agreeing to $150 Billion-$170 Billion in Cuts for Health Reform

KFF Health News Original

Exclusive: The hospital industry is nearing a deal with the White House and congressional Democrats to accept Medicare and Medicaid cuts. Such an agreement, coming on the heels of one with the drug industry, would increase momentum for overhauling the health care system by providing additional funds to finance the effort.

New Kind of Film Noir: Health Care

KFF Health News Original

While lawmakers are targeting rising costs and growing numbers of uninsured, a new crop of health care-focused documentaries offer a darker, more conspiratorial view: Powerful vested interests lusting for profits are responsible for the country’s medical malaise.

Medicaid: True Or False?

KFF Health News Original

Medicaid is front and center in the debate on overhauling the U.S health system and expanding coverage to the uninsured. With 60 million enrollees, Medicaid dwarfs other insurance programs, including its cousin, Medicare, which covers 44 million elderly and disabled people. Here’s a chance to test your knowledge of Medicaid.

Revolving-Door Patients Illustrate Health System Flaws

KFF Health News Original

Patients who are readmitted to the hospital soon after they’re discharged cost the health care system billions of dollars a year in unnecessary spending. These “frequent fliers,” as doctors sometimes call them, illustrate the worst aspects of poorly coordinated care. Innovative programs may serve as models for fixing the problems.

Special Health IT Report: Electronic Prescribing Increasing Despite Glitches

KFF Health News Original

Advocates say e-prescribing is a key advance toward health care’s digital future because of its potential to reduce medical errors, cut drug costs and save doctors and patients time and money. But kinks need to be worked out to spur more rapid acceptance.

Lobbyists Jockey For Position In Health Care Debate

KFF Health News Original

Earlier this month, lobbyists trooped in to watch as the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions began working on a health-care overhaul – the first congressional panel this year to move so far.

Health Reform’s Benefits for Middle Class Under Scrutiny

KFF Health News Original

As President Obama tries to sell the middle class on health reform, Congress is considering proposals that would affect how individuals benefit. Lower-income people would benefit most in the near term from insurance subsidies. But Obama is emphasizing measures he says would help the middle class by reining in the rising cost of health care and insurance over the long term.

Analysis: Why Health Care Reformers Are Wooing Skeptical Seniors

KFF Health News Original

The over-65 crowd, with its outsized political clout, will have a big say in the fate of any health overhaul. And that helps explain a recent agreement on drug discounts involving the pharmaceutical industry, the White House and Congress.

The $64,000 Question: Can Health Care Be Paid For Without Breaking the Bank?

KFF Health News Original

Democrats in Congress, surprised by the high cost estimates for their health care proposals, are looking at a wide range of options for raising money and reducing costs. Some of the revenue raisers have been rejected in previous years, but now all ideas are on the table because of the big amounts needed to pay for a health care overhaul.

Doctors Say Electronic Data-Sharing Is Saving Lives, Money

KFF Health News Original

Memphis, Tenn., is one of a growing number of areas with a successful high-tech health information exchange, which proponents say saves lives and money. But the system now faces a crucial test: what happens when the initial funding runs out?

House Democrats Release Sweeping Reform Plan

KFF Health News Original

The Democratic members of three House committees today released a plan they said would lower health care costs and improve health care choices. They plan includes individual as well as employer mandates to buy insurance and would provide for a government-run public plan alternative to private insurance.

HELP: A Sampler of Amendments

KFF Health News Original

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee continues to plow through hundreds of amendments as it works on its health overhaul bill. Here’s a short selection of amendments, which show a wide range of interests and concerns, and are pending unless otherwise marked.