Latest KFF Health News Stories
Washington State Officials Want To Lift Veil On Health Care Pricing
Gov. Jay Inslee and some lawmakers are pushing to create a public database listing hundreds of medical procedures, what they cost at clinics and hospitals statewide, and information about the quality of the providers.
CBO Reports That Health Law Provision Called ‘Bailout’ By GOP Will Raise $8B
New findings from the Congressional Budget Office may make it harder for Republicans to portray a provision in the health law designed to limit insurers’ losses and gains as a “bailout” for the industry. The House Oversight and Government Reform panel is scheduled to have a hearing Wednesday examining the law’s “risk corridors,” which limit […]
A Third Generation Doctor Questions The Profession
Overwhelming bureaucracy and crushing student loan debt were not part of the package for Dr. Michael Sawyer’s father and grandfather. Still, he feels medicine is a calling.
A Small West Virginia Town Rallies For Better Health
“Sustainable Williamson” campaign includes 5K races, a community garden, healthier food and cancer screening.
Medicaid Expansion Only A First Step To Better Health In Troubled W.Va. Communities
Even as tens of thousands of West Virginians enroll in Medicaid, experts caution that the culture also will have to change.
New Rule Gives Patients Direct Access To Their Lab Reports
Calling your doctor to get lab results might be a thing of the past: a new federal rule will allow patients to have direct access to their completed laboratory reports. The regulation was announced Monday by the Department of Health and Human Services. It amends privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act […]
Patient Coordination Would Get Boost If Medicare Changes How It Pays Docs
If Congress finally overhauls the way Medicare pays doctors, experts say patients would see new emphasis on coordinated care and preventive services.
Experts: Moving New Medicaid Patients Out Of ER Will Take Time
The health law seeks to change how the poor get routine care, moving them into doctors’ offices where more consistent supervision may improve their health.
From Ethiopia To West Virginia, Community Health Workers Help Close Access-To-Care Gaps
Outreach efforts in remote places like Ethiopia could offer models for medically underserved areas in the U.S.
Some specialty drugs can cost consumers — even those with insurance — thousands of dollars a year, but manufacturers often provide aid for those who meet specific income and program requirements.
Former Foster Youth Stay Insured Until 26
Former foster youth in California are eligible for Medi-Cal until age 26 under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). Marcy Valenzuela has been without health insurance for the last four years. By the time she was 18, she had lived in several foster placements, had become addicted to drugs and spent time in juvenile hall. The 25-year-old is getting her life back on track, starting with her health.
In Southwest Georgia, The Affordable Care Act Is Having Trouble Living Up To Its Name
In an area with moderate incomes and cost of living, insurance premiums on the new health law marketplace are nearly the highest in the country.
The 10 Most Expensive Insurance Markets In The U.S.
The ranking is based on the lowest price “silver” plan, which is the mid-level plan that the majority of consumers are selecting. The listed monthly premiums are for a 40-year-old person.
When Your Parent Is The State, It’s Tough For Young Adults To Stay Insured
Many former foster kids are entitled to Medicaid coverage until they turn 26 but eligibility workers ? and they themselves
Joining GOP Trend, U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Urges Fix, Not Repeal, Of Obamacare
The business lobbying group urges Republicans to shift their focus from repealing the health law to changing it in Congress. But some tea party Republicans want to continue the fight.
ACOs Saving Some Money, But Medicare Is Short On Details
Accountable care organizations are saving some money, though what exactly that means is still unclear. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday that overall, provider groups involved in Medicare ACO programs saved a total of $380 million in the first year. Sounds like a lot of money, but CMS declined to explain which […]
Rep. Waxman, Passionate Advocate For Medicaid And Public Health Issues, Announces His Retirement
Former Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, known for his aggressive investigations, has been one of his party’s central figures in health care.
Can I Get My Insurance To Pay For An IUD Removal?
KHN’s consumer columnist says the procedure is considered preventive and should be covered by most health plans.
California Marketplace Among First to Post Customer Health Plan Ratings
Californians shopping for insurance policies through the state’s online marketplace can now compare plans based on customer quality ratings as well as cost. Covered California assigned star ratings to the health plans based on member survey responses. The surveys were taken before the insurance marketplace opened, so they only compare plans that had a track […]
Health Law Is A Tough Sell To Uninsured
Uninsured Americans — the people that the Affordable Care Act was designed to most aid — are increasingly critical of the law as its key provisions kick in, a poll released Thursday finds. This month’s tracking poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 47 percent of the uninsured said they hold unfavorable views of […]