Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘Rock Star’ Navigator On Mission To Clear Health Insurance Hurdles For Vietnamese
In Texas, the uninsured rate among Vietnamese immigrants is nearly double the national rate. Navigators there are working to reverse that.
CVS-Aetna Merger A Bid To Bring Down Costs, Gain Competitive Edge
What will the mega-merger mean for consumers and the health care industry? Senior correspondent Chad Terhune offers insight.
Deciden bajar sus salarios para poder tener seguro a través del Obamacare
Para este matrimonio de Tennessee, la diferencia de salario significó tener una prima de $87, frente a una anterior de $2,100.
CHIP: sigue en peligro atención médica de 9 millones de niños
Varios estados se quedarán pronto sin fondos para el Programa de Seguro de Salud Infantil (CHIP) si el Congreso no aprueba una nueva refinanciación.
Middle-Class Earners Weigh Love And Money To Curb Obamacare Premiums
Ineligible for subsidies, a Tennessee woman quit her job to get an affordable health care premium. Conventional steps — such as maxing out your 401(k) contribution each year — may also do the job, financial planners say.
States — And 9M Kids — ‘In A Bind’ As Congress Dawdles On CHIP Funding
Congress let funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program expire in September, and despite bipartisan support for the program, states are facing the specter of having to prepare to wind down their programs.
California Winces At Trump’s Turn Back To ‘Bad Old Days’ Of Health Plan Associations
State leaders vow to protect consumers from a presidential order to resurrect a health plan model that they say could destabilize the insurance market.
With CHIP In Limbo, Here Are 5 Takeaways On The Congressional Impasse
The sticking point is not whether to keep the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program running but how best to raise the cash.
Texans With HIV Cope With Homes And Medicines Ruined By Hurricane Harvey
The hurricane closed pharmacies and clinics for a week or longer. Floodwaters spoiled drugs. People who fled to other states couldn’t get their prescriptions filled for HIV medicine.
Congress Isn’t Really Done With Health Care — Just Look At What’s In The Tax Bills
Even though congressional Republicans set aside their Obamacare repeal-and-replace efforts this year, here are five major health policy changes that could become law as part of the pending House and Senate proposals.
Whistleblower: Medicaid Managed-Care Firm Improperly Denied Care To Thousands
An explosive report prepared by a SynerMed executive alleges the California firm, which oversaw care for 1.2 million patients, fabricated documents and violated state and federal regulations for years. The state says it left low-income patients on Medicaid managed care in “imminent danger.”
Desperate For Coverage: Are Short-Term Plans Better Than None At All?
As stopgap health plans gain attention as possible alternatives to Obamacare, consumers are advised to read the fine print.
Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ Taxes, Medicare And The Year-End Mess
In this episode of “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post discuss the possible impact of the tax bill on the Medicare program, confirmation hearings for a new secretary of Health and Human Services and the future of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.
If Your Insurer Covers Few Therapists, Is That Really Mental Health Parity?
Behavioral care was four times more likely to be out-of-network than medical or surgical care, an analysis by Milliman shows.
Hospitals With History Get A Second Life
The number of hospitals across the country has plummeted, but many old buildings are being resuscitated as apartments and condos.
Patients With Rare Diseases And Congress Square Off Over Orphan Drug Tax Credits
The House and Senate want to reduce or eliminate federal tax credits for “orphan drugs” used to treat rare diseases, but patients are fighting against the plan.
Straight From The Patient’s Mouth: Videos Can Clearly State Your End-Of-Life Wishes
Video advance directives enable people to speak directly to their families and physicians about their wishes for end-of-life care.
University Was Tipped Off To Possible Unauthorized Trials Of Herpes Vaccine
Southern Illinois University has concluded its researcher violated university rules and U.S. law.
The Ratcheting Price Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine: What Gives?
The price for Pfizer’s Prevnar 13 has increased 5 to 6 percent each year since its 2010 approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Teaching Teens The Perils Of Pot As Marketplace Grows
The legalization of recreational marijuana in California and other states poses an added challenge for drug education programs targeting youths.