Trump Speech Offers Dizzying Preview Of His Health Care Campaign Strategy
By Shefali Luthra
October 3, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The president’s outline of key health policy concerns touched on a variety of hot-button issues from drug prices to immigration.
One-On-One With Trump’s Medicare And Medicaid Chief: Seema Verma
By Sarah Varney
January 3, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Seema Verma, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, sat down for a rare interview with KHN senior correspondent Sarah Varney. They discuss her views on President Donald Trump’s plan for sustaining public health insurance programs, how the administration would respond if Obamacare is struck down by the courts in the future and her thoughts on how the latest “Medicare for All” proposals would affect innovation and access to care.
Why Home Health Care Is Suddenly Harder To Come By For Medicare Patients
By Judith Graham
February 3, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Medicare has changed how it pays for services. In response, agencies across the country are firing therapists, limiting physical, occupational and speech therapy, and terminating services for some longtime, severely ill patients.
Covid Testing Has Turned Into a Financial Windfall for Hospitals and Other Providers
By Jay Hancock Hannah Norman
May 7, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Because there are no caps on cost, consumers and insurers often get billed hundreds of dollars for the most reliable PCR covid test. Prices are rising and they can’t fight back.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: 2020 in Review — It Wasn’t All COVID
December 23, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The coronavirus pandemic colored just about everything in 2020. But there was other health policy news that you either never heard or might have forgotten about: the Affordable Care Act going before the Supreme Court with its survival on the line; ditto for Medicaid work requirements. And a surprise ending to the “surprise bill” saga. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Deciphering The Democrats’ Health Debate
August 1, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Health care was a major topic at the Democratic presidential candidate debates in Detroit on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the focus on plan minutiae may have left viewers more confused than edified. Alice Ollstein of Politico, Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner and Caitlin Owens of Axios join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the points made by the candidates plus a series of Trump administration health initiatives on drug prices and hospital shopping.
Covered California Says Health Insurance Just Got Too Cheap to Ignore
By Bernard J. Wolfson
May 4, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Californians who passed up health coverage in the past may be pleasantly surprised by the lower prices available thanks to the new federal relief act.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Impeachment And The Health Agenda
September 26, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Washington is abuzz with impeachment talk, but what impact would such a move have on congressional action on prescription drug prices and surprise bills? Also, a study out this week shows that health insurance costs for both employers and workers continue to rise. This week, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.
How One Rural Town Without a Pharmacy Is Crowdsourcing to Get Meds
By Markian Hawryluk
July 1, 2021
KFF Health News Original
As more independently owned community pharmacies close, a Colorado town is crowdsourcing ways of getting prescription medicines delivered to those who can’t travel the long distance to the closest pharmacy. But even those stopgap measures don’t always work.
Democrats Gave Americans a Big Boost Buying Health Insurance. It Didn’t Come Cheap.
By Noam N. Levey
March 24, 2021
KFF Health News Original
The $1.9 trillion covid relief bill expands subsidies for private insurance plans. That will lighten the burden on consumers, but it locks taxpayers into yet more support for the health care industry.
Trump’s New Order For Medicare Packs Potential Rise In Patients’ Costs
By Julie Appleby
October 7, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The president’s directive, which he said is designed to give beneficiaries more choices in their health care, could lead to higher costs for seniors. Final rules are to be written by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Health Issues Carried Weight on the Campaign Trail. What Could Biden Do in His First 100 Days?
By Victoria Knight
January 22, 2021
KFF Health News Original
KHN has teamed up with PolitiFact to track what becomes of President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign promises over the next four years. As he moves into the West Wing, what are his chances of making progress on health care?
Obamacare’s Star Ratings Offer A Glimmer Of Insight ― But Not For All
By Lauren Weber Phil Galewitz
November 1, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials unveil new ratings for the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace plans. Missouri is one of eight states that has no plans earning at least three stars on a five-star scale.
Hospitals, Insurers Invest Big Dollars to Tackle Patients’ Social Needs
By Phil Galewitz
June 22, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Eager to control costs, health systems and insurers are trying to address patients’ social needs such as food insecurity, transportation and housing. Yet, after years of testing, there’s slim evidence these efforts pay off.
Medicare Fraudsters Now Tap Telemedicine In Medical Equipment Scams
By Victoria Knight
October 9, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Scammers bent on defrauding Medicare are embracing the new technologies of remote diagnosis. Federal law enforcement is cracking down.
Biden’s Big Health Agenda Won’t Be Easy to Achieve
By Julie Rovner
October 22, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Much like President Barack Obama, a President Biden could find his health policies initially sidelined by economic issues — in his case, caused by the pandemic.
Lots of Health Insurance Help in Covid Relief Law — But Do Your Homework First
By Michelle Andrews
March 24, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Democrats’ $1.9 trillion covid relief package will offer some of the most significant help for Americans to pay for health insurance in a decade. But the temporary provisions are complicated. KHN offers tips for consumers.
Millions Of Diabetes Patients Are Missing Out On Medicare’s Nutrition Help
By Phil Galewitz
September 9, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Health experts say the little-used benefit represents a lost opportunity for older adults to improve their health — and for the program to save money by preventing costly complications from diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
More Women Than Men Are Insured, Thanks To Medicaid Pregnancy Care
October 11, 2021
Morning Briefing
But Axios notes that the coverage can be short-lived, since Medicaid coverage ends after 60 days postpartum. Other news is on Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, the quality of Medicaid Advantage plans, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and more.
GOP Senate Ad Misrepresents Montana Governor’s Stance
By Victoria Knight
August 18, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The race between Steve Bullock and Steve Daines reflects a trend in campaigns nationwide. Republicans often paint Democrats as left of the general public and health care has often been one of the issues the GOP highlights in that effort. In this case, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is leaping to conclusions with its claims.
