Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Legislators Push To Penalize Officials For Implementing Health Overhaul
In several states, lawmakers are advancing bills that would make it illegal for state officials to put the federal health overhaul into place. Even if the bills become state laws, though, they would likely be found unconstitutional.
Health Care Battles To Surge Anew In 2011: Julie Appleby
KHN reporters preview some of the big issues coming this year: KHN senior correspondent Julie Appleby says much of the movement in health policy will be at the state level as they set up exchanges and deal with rate regulation.
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.
Video: ‘Individual Mandate’ In Health Law Is Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules
Lawyer and journalist Stuart Taylor discusses today’s development in health care reform. U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson in Virginia struck down a key part of the new health law, saying that the mandate on most Americans to buy health coverage is unconstitutional.
How The Health Reform Game Has Changed
The future trajectory of health reform will be shaped far more by interest group agendas and state-level actions than by the new House leadership’s stated plans.
What if a Republican governor and a Republican legislature had the ability to implement their version of health insurance reform and the federal government would have to pay for it? It’s a great idea. And I’m thrilled to say that a bi-partisan bill has already been introduced in the Senate by Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Scott Brown, R-Mass., that would help facilitate exactly this end.
Hundreds Die of Illnesses In Texas County Jails
More than 280 inmates in Texas county jails died from illnesses while in custody over a four-and-a-half period. There are no state standards for health care in county jails, but criminal justice advocates and correctional facility experts say the large number of illness-related deaths prove they’re needed.
With Newly-Elected Governors, GOP Gains Clout To Fight Health Reform Law
New state officials could slow the pace of implementation, seek waivers from some provisions, veto state legislation and appoint like-minded people to important positions, such as insurance commissioner slots.
High Court: Broken Bed Falls Under Malpractice Cap
As a federal judge considers the constitutionality of Texas’ 2003 medical malpractice reform – and Gov. Rick Perry campaigns for more lawsuit restrictions – the state Supreme Court has ruled that hospital injuries seemingly unrelated to doctor error can fall under Texas’ stringent medical malpractice caps. Some legal observers say the decision is a perversion of legislative intent, but tort reform advocates contend the high court simply closed a huge loophole in liability reforms.
Boost Coming For Programs That Help Expectant Moms
New federal health reform legislation over the next several years will pump millions of dollars into home visitation programs for new and expecting mothers with the goal of reducing rates of premature birth and infant mortality.
Dispatch from Massachusetts: The Individual Mandate Is Working
Evidence shows the requirement for state residents to buy health insurance is working in Massachusetts — and we should it expect it to work in the new health overhaul as well.
Massachusetts Shows Federal Reform Headed For Trouble
Massachusett’s health reform has increased demand without increasing the supply of health care providers, it continues to keep people in the dark about the true cost of health care and health insurance, and has not changed incentives for people to seek more affordable options or for a truly competitive marketplace. Washington’s health overhaul law has the same structural flaws.
Health Law Sparks Abortion Fight In Pennsylvania
Abortion opponents say the administration is already breaking the promise it made as part of the new health law not to fund elective abortions.
Obama’s Health Plan Getting Tested In Court
The Obama administration’s biggest domestic policy accomplishment — the new health care law — is under steady legal attack. On Thursday, lawyers argued the first case to hit the courts, filed by the attorney general of Virginia. More than a dozen other state challenges are in the pipeline.
Health On The Hill: Upcoming Primaries
After a lengthy and fierce debate in Washington about health care reform, voters in several states have an opportunity to weigh in this week on what they think of the historic measure in numerous primary contests.
Florida’s Health Exchange Doesn’t Fit New Law
Florida Health Choices, a deregulated health-insurance market for small businesses, is two years old and still not selling any products. It would be well-positioned to develop into the exchange called for under the new federal law. But that would require political and philosophical compromises that its leaders may not be willing to make.
Health On The Hill: April 26, 2010
The new health law mandates that states adhere to several changes, including setting up high-risk health insurance pools by June.
“Here & Now” Audio: States Must Now Make Health Care Reform A Reality
KHN’s John Fairhall and Oregon Health Authority’s Barney Speight discuss how states will implement health care reform, on WBUR’s “Here & Now” radio show.
Florida Health Insurance ‘Safety-Net’ Plans Falling Short
Former House Speaker Marco Rubio, a candidate for U.S. Senate who is critical of President Obama’s ideas on health reform, says the nation should instead adapt a plan he helped to enact: Florida Health Choices.
Florida Officials Say They Will Resist Some Requirements In Health Overhaul
Florida’s Republican attorney general opposes the individual mandate and a state insurance official says significant changes in state laws would be needed to meet federal requirements if overhaul passes.
