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As the Senate Finance Committee devolved into partisan infighting about health overhaul legislation, chairman Max Baucus quoted Harry Truman’s advice to show some courageous, skillful leadership, and seize the opportunity to change things for the better.
Some analysts are praising Sen. Max Baucus’ health overhaul as a good start on a tough task but they worry that key provisions will be weakened during debate.
Seventy-one year old Audrey Bernfield is one of the 45 million people on Medicare, the government health insurance program for the disabled and those over 65. Like most beneficiaries, she is very satisfied with her coverage.
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine how the health overhaul would affect medicare.
As part of the series, “Are You Covered?” KHN and NPR profile Audrey Bernfield, 71, a two-time breast cancer survivor. When her cancer returned, her Medicare coverage enabled her to choose her own doctors, move closer to her family and get the best treatments for her situation. She says she prefers Medicare over a private insurer. Medicare Coverage Explained | Video Profile
The modifications are designed to make health insurance more affordable for low- and middle-income Americans by increasing the Health Care Affordability Tax Credit and lowering the penalties for people who fail to meet the individual requirement to have health insurance. See related news summaries.
The Senate Finance Committee released a press release summarizing the major modifications to the Chariman’s Mark.
This morning, the Senate Finance Committee released the “Opening Statement of Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) at Today’s Mark-Up of the America’s Healthy Future Act.”
Mitch Stabbe and Marjorie Goldman treasure their “Cadillac” plan health insurance, even though it costs more than $20,000 in premiums per year. Their son, Bryan, has Crohn’s disease, which means very expensive treatments. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
Deb and Rusty Lovell are not the kind of people you would expect to have “gold-plated” health insurance. Deb works at a community college and earns a little over $30,000 a year. But the health benefits she gets from the New Hampshire government have made a huge difference in their lives. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
For two families, “gold-plated” health insurance has made a huge difference in the health care they receive. But it’s not always the rich who get these benefits, and they worry about what a possible tax on plans would do to their health coverage.
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin discuss recent and upcoming activities on the Hill — part of a weekly series of video reports.
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin discuss recent and upcoming activities on the Hill — part of a weekly series of video reports.
Fernando Arriola, 58, had full health coverage for years at his former job, but since starting his own contracting business, there are no affordable coverage options for him and his wife. Part of our special series, “Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance,” produced in partnership with NPR.
This week, just maybe, we’ll learn whether the Democrats and their allies can come up with the money to pay for health reform.
As part of our series co-produced with NPR, Are You Covered? A look at Americans and Health Insurance, today we profile Rhonda Dorsey and her daughter Toni, 13, who feel lucky to have health care coverage that helps to pay for Toni’s diabetes medicine.
As part of our series, “Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance,” KHN and NPR examine the federal health benefits program, which is considered a model for the nation.
As the debate continues on what might happen if the government enacts a public health care option, Arizona’s experience may serve as a touchstone. The state has offered small businesses a public option since 1985 – and it has gotten mixed reviews. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
A number of insurers are replacing jargon with plain English. Aetna has published a book called “Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies.” CIGNA employees are taught, for example, that they should use “doctor” instead of “provider” in communicating with the public.
Insurers sometimes make it difficult for consumers to understand and use their benefits. One U.S. senator has drafted legislation to hold insurers to higher standards, but the industry is already moving to make changes.
