The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
In an interview with KHN’s Eric Pianin, Republican Grassley says his long-standing alliance with Democratic Finance Committee Chairman Baucus remains strong despite political pressure but won’t influence his decision on whether to support bipartisan health care legislation. Listen to the interview.
For nearly a decade, the two Senate Finance Committee leaders have found ways to bridge partisan divides to shape dozens of bills. But their partnership is being severely tested on a health care overhaul plan.
A new report offers specific recommendations on how to “bend the curve” regarding costs to the nation’s health system.
Architects of the Massachusetts universal coverage initiative outline key lessons they have learned so far.
While Washington lawmakers are discussing an expansion of Medicaid, Arizona is having trouble paying for the program at its current level. The state has one of the highest Medicaid rates in the country, with about 1 out of every 5 residents covered by the program for the poor. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Members of Congress will return from their August recess soon. They’ve been getting an earful back home about overhauling health care. A political action committee from California has launched a cross-country bus tour dubbed the “Tea Party Express.” Members are concerned about spending, higher taxes and bailouts. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Despite TV portrayals of best medicine, health reform proponents says patients could get good treatment — and cheaper care — if high tech tests were used more judiciously.
New federal deficit numbers in combination with concerns that some voters have expressed at town hall meetings this August over the size, scope and cost of health care legislation may lead lawmakers to reconsider elements of the measure Democrats want to pass this year. The death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., may create new momentum among Democrats and Republicans to resolve their differences over the bill, but the many complexities involved with any overhaul of the nation’s health care system guarantee a lengthy debate this fall.
New federal deficit numbers in combination with concerns that some voters have expressed at town hall meetings this August over the size, scope and cost of health care legislation may lead lawmakers to reconsider elements of the measure Democrats want to pass this year. The death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., may create new momentum among Democrats and Republicans to resolve their differences over the bill, but the many complexities involved with any overhaul of the nation’s health care system guarantee a lengthy debate this fall.
Maria Bishop, age 60, pays $500 a month for health insurance. Chris Denny, 27, pays $117. In most states, insurers can charge older customers far more than younger ones. As Congress wrestles with a health care overhaul, lawmakers are debating new limits that could narrow the difference.
In truth, seniors are likely to big winners if responsible health reform passes and prime victims if it fails.
If there is any hope of passing a bipartisan health care bill in the Senate, it may well lie with a key group of senators known as the Gang of Six. Three Democrats and three Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have continued to work on a compromise health care bill through Congress’ summer recess. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Every effort to remake America’s health care system since the 1930s has been scuttled by the same technique – scaring the public. The opponents have been different, ranging from the AMA to the insurance industry to conservative ideologues. But the playbook has remained the same. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
As economic conditions force a tighter job market, new nurses find it’s harder than ever to land their dream job-or any job, for that matter. It’s especially difficult in metropolitan areas.
In an interview with KHN, Grassley talks about the impact of town hall meetings on bipartisan negotiations.
Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Finance Committee, says that mounting public concern about the federal deficit and government spending could hurt prospects for a bipartisan health care overhaul deal when Congress returns to work next month.
Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele opposes a government-run health care system, as do most members of his party. While most health care overhaul proposals assume big savings by reworking Medicare, Steele says Medicare needs to be protected and not cut in the name of health insurance reform. But he also says he favors some cuts to maximize the program’s efficiencies. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
From the looks of these health care bills, this “health care reform” thing will be great for business! But as far as “bending the curve” and beginning to make our health care system any more affordable or sustainable-or any less of a burden on patients and taxpayers-I can’t find it.
For policymakers to cut medical spending, they must persuade doctors that some procedures are unnecessary. A friendly debate between two cardiologists over using stents to unclog arteries shows how hard it may be to achieve that consensus. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
People who knew and worked with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy discuss his efforts to promote major change in the U.S. health care system.
