Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Explained
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.
All Coverage
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Public Option? Arizona Has Had One For Years
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.
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Some Insurers Trade In Jargon For Plain English
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.
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Confusing Insurance Jargon Prompts Call For Reform
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.
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Economists Debate ‘Public Option’ On Health Care
The idea of creating a government-run health care plan to compete with regular insurance companies has received mixed grades among economists. The debate is over whether the plan would eliminate waste in the system as advertised.
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Health Policy Experts Urge Congress To Abandon Ideological Differences On Overhaul
Veteran health policy experts urged lawmakers to put aside ideological differences and take immediate action to create broad based changes in the nation’s health care system.
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Douglas: State Governors Need ‘Time, Flexibility’ For Successful Health Reform
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas commented Thursday on the newly released Senate Finance Committee health reform measure, saying the parts of it that deal with insurance reforms and exchanges “still need work,” but that overall the bill is “headed down a path that seems workable.”
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Transcript: Obama At Health Care Rally ‘Fired Up And Ready To Go’
The White House released a transcript of President Obama’s remarks to a rally at the University of Maryland. He encourages the enthusiastic crowd to support his health care proposal.
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Chasm In Congress Over How Much Individuals Should Pay For Health Care
One of the central issues in the health reform debate is how much Americans should be expected to spend on insurance before getting help from the government.
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Baucus Plan Gives A Nod To GOP Ideas
Democrats’ latest proposal includes some Republican-inspired provisions, though in a watered-down form.
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How Republicans Would Overhaul the Health System: The Wish List
The GOP’s plans
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Coburn Bill Would Create Panel to Oversee Quality
Bill raises questions among some Conservatives, who worry it creates a new bureaucracy.
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Opinion Column
The Indian Health Service Paradox
The Indian Health Service serves as an example of “big” government health care that is lean and efficient.
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Opinion Column
The Predicament of Near-Seniors And Health Reform
The differing interests and preferences of seniors and near-seniors reflect the perils of incremental reform in reaching universal coverage.
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Highlights Of Senator Max Baucus’ News Conference
The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., discussed his health proposal at a Capitol Hill news conference today. He acknowledged the lack of Republican support, but expressed confidence that some members of the GOP would sign on, saying: “At the end of the day, we all share a common purpose, that is to make the lives of Americans better tomorrow than they are today, and to get health-care reform done, which means the time to come for action is now.”
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Update From Mary Agnes Carey: What Baucus’ New Bill Means
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey discusses Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus’ new health care bill, which was released today.
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Baucus Releases Bill: No Public Option
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus unveiled a health care bill today that would require most people to have health insurance and would bar insurance companies from discriminating against people with medical problems.
Video Highlights Of The News Conference | Mary Agnes Carey Discusses What The New Bill Means -
Press Release: Baucus’ Plan To Lower Health Care Costs
The following is a press release on Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus’ new health care reform legislation.
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San Francisco’s Universal Health Care Model
The Healthy San Francisco Plan, the city’s public health plan for the uninsured, has many of the elements currently under consideration in Washington, D.C. It was proposed as a stopgap measure until Congress moved ahead with universal coverage. Now, it’s being heralded as a public option that works and a model for reform.
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Transcript: Health On The Hill – September 15, 2009
NPR’s Julie Rovner and KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin discuss recent and upcoming activities on the Hill.
