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Two cases challenging the constitutionality of health care reform were heard today by a three-judge appeals panel. In both cases, the key issue is whether Americans can be required to obtain health insurance, as the 14-month old law mandates. Ariane de Vogue, a reporter for ABC News, talks with Jackie Judd about today’s arguments in Richmond.
Businesses and individuals looking for convenience are contracting with services that will provide same-day medical appointments at home or office.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners is considering whether to endorse legislation that would remove broker and agent commissions from the medical loss ratio. The final decision will have far-reaching implications for the reliability of the MLR as a measure of a health plan’s value.
Conventional race labels people use to identify themselves may not be all that useful for doctors looking for genetic risk patterns in diverse communities.
When it comes to controlling rising health care costs, we face an urgent problem that leads to a simple question: Is there a smart idea that can be done now? Yes. It’s called “Paying for Outcomes.”
Arguing that the proposal will save tax dollars and improve patient care, Republican lawmakers Friday approved a massive overhaul of Florida’s Medicaid system.
Numbers still remain far below estimates for the program designed to help people with pre-existing medical conditions, but cost and lack of publicity may hamper enrollment.
The annual scramble to prevent next year’s scheduled pay cut for doctors who treat Medicare patients kicked off Thursday with physician leaders calling for a five-year program of guaranteed annual raises and a high-ranking House Republican calling for another short-term fix.
The first Republican debate among some of the presidential contenders included some questions about the health law, the role of the federal government, medical malpractice and Medicare. These excerpts of the debate include answers from Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich did not attend the Greenville, S.C. debate.
The first Republican debate among some of the presidential contenders included some questions about the health law, the role of the federal government, medical malpractice and Medicare. These excerpts of the debate include answers from Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich did not attend the Greenville, S.C. debate.
The new health law requires that health insurance providers make “coverage facts labels” available so that, beginning in March of 2012, consumers have pricing information to compare health insurance policies. A working group of state insurance regulators, industry representatives and consumer advocates drafted four proposal for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which is now seeking public comment. Two of the proposed labels are displayed below.
Extra funding will be awarded to facilities that do better than average on quality of care and patient satisfaction.
The finishing touches are being made on “coverage fact labels” that will list costs that insurers will cover for some conditions.
Columnists Harold Pollack and Michael F. Cannon contribute very different opinions on the Republican proposal to fundamentally change Medicaid.
The president and the Republicans agree that balancing the federal budget is impossible without restraining Medicaid spending. That will be much easier if we could stop pretending that every single Medicaid enrollee needs to be there.
The recent policy debate surrounding the health care safety net seems predicated on the philosophy that we must sharply shrink government despite the accompanying human costs. That vision is most congenial to those who feel comfortable and safe without public help.
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about Rep. Dave Camp’s comments Thursday that signaled flexibility on Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to change Medicare.
In today’s Health On The Hill, KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about Rep. Dave Camp’s comments Thursday that signaled flexibility on Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to change Medicare. Camp said he’s open to pursuing other approaches to reduce federal Medicare spending to lower the debt, and he called on Democrats to present specifics on how they would cut federal spending.
In the continuing Democratic assault on the House GOP’s 2012 budget bill, a group of senators today warned of dire consequences on the plan to transform Medicaid into a block grant program.
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a mother whose daughter is uninsured and needs some inexpensive care. Andrews says going to a community health center may be a good option for her.
