Latest KFF Health News Stories
Video: Ron Paul, Romney, Perry, Bachmann On ‘Personal’ Health Care Responsibility, Reform Law
In Monday’s Republican debate, the presidential contenders were quizzed about health costs, the individual mandate and – in one of the evening’s most controversial exchanges – moderator Wolf Blitzer asked Rep. Ron Paul a hypothetical question about who should pay for someone uninsured and in a coma. (Video courtesy CNN)
Actuaries To ‘Super Committee’: Slow Overall Health Spending, Not Just Medicare
The deficit reduction “super committee” should act to slow the growth of health care spending overall – not just in Medicare – as it rolls up its sleeves, says the American Academy of Actuaries. “Achieving long-term sustainability for Medicare will require slowing the growth in overall health spending, not simply shifting costs from one payer […]
Private Medicare Plans Defy Predictions, Growing Despite Health Law Cuts
The industry of private Medicare health plans is continuing to grow, despite steep cuts enacted in the 2010 federal health law, according to a report released Friday by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KHN is an editorially-independent program of the foundation). Nearly 12 million of the nation’s 47 million Medicare enrollees are now in private plans, […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 12, 2011
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the pressures faced by the ‘super committee’ as well as the latest on how states are doing with the implementation of the health law. The New York Times: Pressure Builds On Deficit Panel To ‘Go Big,’ Beyond Its Mandate, In Cuts A […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 9, 2011
Friday has come again, this time at the end of a short week, and here’s what we’re reading: In today’s headlines, reports about the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision blocking two health law challenges and the congressional debt panel’s first meeting. The New York Times: Court Blocks Suit Against Health Law A federal appellate court […]
Berwick Turns 65: Medicare Chief First To Join Medicare
Friday is a big day for Medicare chief Donald Berwick. He turns 65 and will become the first head of the federal health insurance program for the elderly and disabled to be a beneficiary at the same time. “I’m excited,” he told KHN in a pre-birthday interview Thursday. “I feel like I’m in my 20s […]
Seeking The Best Place For Long-Term Care? Head North
Updated at 1:00 p.m. If you think there’s a demand now for long-term care services, just wait 20 years. By the time baby boomers hit their 70s and 80s, there will be a huge surge in need. And, according to a report released today, in many places there isn’t nearly enough to help to go around. The […]
Washington Shuffle: John Rother And Ralph Neas
Updated at 10:30 a.m. John Rother, who around Washington is considered the heart of the seniors group AARP, is moving on. After 27 years there, Rother, who has been a key advocacy strategist at AARP, will become president and CEO of the National Coalition for Health Care. Ironically, he’s changing jobs just months before he […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 8, 2011
Good morning! In today’s headlines, reports from last night’s GOP presidential debate, as well as explorations of what the future might hold for the ‘Super Committee’ and physician payment. The Washington Post: Debt Supercommittee Faces Super-Sized Challenges The new bipartisan congressional committee created to reduce the federal deficit will hold its first meeting Thursday, and if […]
Studies: Doctors, Hospitals Profit As Health Costs Rise
Over a decade, the median-income family of four with health insurance from their employer saw their real annual earnings rise from $76,000 in 1999 to $99,000. But nearly all that gain was eaten up by rising health care costs, a new study finds. After taking into account the price increases for other goods and services, the […]
Seniors Falling Into Doughnut Hole Buy Fewer Drugs
About 12 percent of people receiving the Medicare prescription drug benefit in 2009 fell into the gap in coverage — the much maligned “doughnut hole” — according to a study released today. While in the doughnut hole beneficiaries bought fewer drugs, including about 11 percent fewer monthly prescriptions in 2009, compared to when they’re still getting prescriptions […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 7, 2011
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations includes reports on Mitt Romney’s announdement Tuesday about his plans for jobs and the health law and a new analysis of the donations made by the health care industry to members of the congressional “super committee” on the deficit. Los Angeles Times: Mitt Romney Releases […]
Deficit Hawk Or Dove? Enzi’s Autism Stance
Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., has been among the more outspoken members of Congress calling for major reductions in federal spending to reduce the budget deficit. But on Wednesday, at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee meeting, he was part of a unanimous vote for nearly $700 million in funding for autism research and treatment. In […]
Poll: Texas Ranks High In Uninsured, Once Again
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the number of uninsured residents. New survey data from Gallup and Healthways shows 27.2 percent of Texans reported being uninsured in the first half of 2011 — the highest percentage of any state in the U.S. But that’s nothing new for the Lone Star State, which has had this […]
Bacteria Uniformly Present On Much Hospital Attire
Is it time to ditch the white coats? A recent study suggests that doctors might want to hang up their iconic white coats and long sleeves to prevent the spread of dangerous bacteria. Dr. Yonit Weiner-Well and his colleagues, sampled uniforms of 135 physicians and nurses at the Hebrew-University—Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem. They found […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 6, 2011
Welcome back from the Labor Day holiday! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations include reports from a GOP presidential candidate forum in South Carolina and analysis of what to expect as Congress returns to Washington. Los Angeles Times: GOP Hopefuls Court ‘Tea Party’ Conservatives In South Carolina In a Labor Day warm-up for […]
What The ‘Super Committee’ Might Mean For Medicare
Have you put the summer’s deficit reduction agreement and the upcoming “super committee” out of your mind? With Labor Day approaching, it’s time to pay attention again. The panel’s deliberations, expected to start soon after Congress returns next week from its August recess, could have sweeping implications for government health programs, including Medicare, which covers 48 […]
Perry’s Personal Health Policies; 5 State Medicaid Strategies; Medical Illiteracy
Every week, Kaiser Health News reporter Jessica Marcy selects interesting reading from around the Web. Time: Gov. Rick Perry’s Weird Science When defending his 2007 attempt to make human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations mandatory for young girls in Texas, (Gov. Rick Perry) pointed out that both of his parents were cancer survivors and proclaimed, “I hate […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 2, 2011
Happy Friday! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on a new study of the health problems suffered by 9/11 first responders. The New York Times: Study Suggests Higher Cancer Risk For 9/11 Firefighters A new study says firefighters who toiled in the wreckage of the World Trade Center in 2001 were […]
The ‘Super Committee’ And The Devil You Know
Health care groups, nervous about the debt deal’s “super committee” deliberations that begin next week, are likely to fare far better under a series of automatic cuts than any agreement the panel may reach. At least that’s the opinion of Washington insider Christopher Jennings, a former Clinton administration health care adviser. “Washington’s governing precept is that the devil you […]
