Latest KFF Health News Stories
In Miami, Medicare Comes With White-Glove Treatment
More than half of all eligible seniors in Miami-Dade and Broward counties enroll in private managed care, rather than traditional Medicare, in a highly-lucrative and super-competitive marketplace for Medicare Advantage plans.
FAQ On Medicare Doctor Pay: Why Is It So Hard To Fix?
A bipartisan House bill and an effort by GOP leaders seek to stop the threats of drastic cuts each year.
President Obama Calls For ‘Modest Reforms’ To Medicare
Health On The Hill: Jackie Judd and KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey discuss the health care issues in Tuesday night’s State of the Union address — and Sen. Rubio’s Republican response.
Retiring Medicare Actuary Reflects On The Politics Of Health Care Spending And Why He Almost Quit
Richard Foster talks about the travails of trying to provide objective information to Congress and the White House.
A basic guide and resources if you want to get Medicare to reverse a coverage decision.
Seniors Need To Be Tenacious In Appeals To Medicare
Consumer advocates say that efforts to get Medicare to reverse a decision denying coverage of care are frequently rejected at first, but the chances of success are much better for beneficiaries who keep appealing until they reach the level handled by an administrative law judge.
Avoiding The ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Likely Means Changes In Medicare
Congress would probably look for cuts in the health care program for seniors and the disabled as it seeks to find ways to curb federal spending.
Democrats’ Medicare Offensive Falls Flat Against GOP
But the status quo on Capitol Hill doesn’t mean that the parties are unwilling to work on health care issues.
Wis. Senate Candidates Spar Over Health Issues
Former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson and Rep. Tammy Baldwin bring an unusual level of health care expertise to the campaign.
Voters’ Voices: Three Reagan Democrats Talk Medicare
The Reagan Democrats of the 1980s are older and and many are on Medicare, a program that the GOP wants to alter dramatically. Do they still hold true to the Gipper’s smaller government ethos, even if it might mean big changes to the program for seniors and the disabled?
Poll: Younger Americans More Receptive Than Seniors To GOP Medicare Plan
Among those under 55, a majority want to keep the current program, but 44 percent prefer switching to premium support
Medicare Battle Heats Up California House Race
A recent town hall shows how explosive the Medicare debate can get in the hottest races in the country.
Hospital Readmission Rates Dropping Slightly, New Study Finds
A new government analysis has found that hospital readmission rates of Medicare patients have fallen more than previously reported, bolstering hope that hospitals are having some success at tackling this stubborn and expensive problem. Hospital readmissions have been getting extensive attention as a new penalty program kicks in next month, which will cost hospitals as […]
Obama: ‘I Will Never Turn Medicare Into A Voucher’
In their acceptance speeches Thursday night, President Obama and Vice President Biden both denounced Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan for Medicare as a “voucher.”
Romney Vows To Repeal And Replace Health Law
Health care was not featured in the Republican presidential nominee’s acceptance speech, but former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney repeated his pledge to repeal or replace the incumbent’s signature legislative achievement.
Ryan: ‘Greatest Threat To Medicare Is Obamacare’
Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP vice presidential nominee, was not the only speaker who denounced the health law at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night. State Attorneys General Pam Bondi and Sam Olens spoke about the federal lawsuit against the law, and former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee called the law’s provisions an “attack on my Catholic brothers and sisters.”
GOP Convention: Christie Promises ‘Hard Truths’ From Romney
Excerpts on health issues from Gov. Chris Christie’s keynote speech, plus speeches by former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum and former Democratic Rep. Artur Davis.
Medicare Takes Center Stage In Close Pennsylvania Races
Romney’s selection of Ryan as his running mate has energized Democratic faithful in many congressional districts with large numbers of seniors.
Medicare Fraud Squads Wield New Weapons
The fraud squads who look for scams in the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs have some new weapons: tools and funding provided by the health law.
FAQ: Decoding The $716 Billion In Medicare Reductions
As the political campaigns tussle over how to handle the program, KHN examines the ongoing debate.
