Latest KFF Health News Stories
Boston Marathon Survivor Has Long Road Ahead
Marc Fucarile is one of the last two survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing to be released from the hospital. He knows he will get some compensation from Boston’s One Fund, but he wonders if it will be enough.
White House: There Will Be Competition In Insurance Exchanges
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. The Obama administration is countering criticism that the new health insurance exchanges will be lacking in competition, though it’s doing so a bit quietly. At a White House briefing Thursday for health reporters, in which senior administration health officials spoke on the condition that they not […]
Proton Beam Therapy Heats Up Hospital Arms Race
Washington, D.C., is on the verge of approving two high-tech radiation facilities at a total cost of $153 million. The treatment costs twice as much as standard radiation but hasn’t been shown to work any better for most cancers.
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Study: Health Law Protected Young Adults From High Hospital Bills
Researchers at the RAND Corporation set out to find some hard data on one aspect of the health law: Does having medical insurance protect young adults from the financial ruin that often comes with a major injury or illness? The quick answer: Yes, it does. Since September 2010, the Affordable Care Act has allowed young […]
Final Rule Upholds Increased Rewards, Penalties For Wellness Participation
Employers will be able to increase rewards to workers who participate in wellness programs under final rules released Wednesday by the Obama administration. The final rules, similar to those proposed in November as part of the Affordable Care Act, have raised concerns among advocates who represent people with chronic or severe illnesses, as well as […]
Immigrants Contribute More To Medicare Than They Take Out, Study Finds
Immigrant workers are helping buttress Medicare’s finances, say researchers, because they contribute tens of billions of dollars a year more than immigrant retirees use in medical services.
Minnesota Ranked Best State For Seniors
Mississippi, Oklahoma are least healthy states for people over 65, according to a United Health Foundation analysis of 34 measures of health.
Medicare Spending Variations Mostly Due To Health Differences, Study Concludes
The finding challenges the notion that billions could be saved by making the health system more efficient.
President Obama To Hit The Campaign Trail For Health Law
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. President Obama often tells audiences that he has waged his last campaign. But that’s not exactly true. The White House is gearing up for a massive campaign this summer that will cover all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C. And the president’s legacy may hinge on whether […]
Eye Lift Surgery Increasingly Billed To Medicare
Despite rules against Medicare coverage for cosmetic surgery, eyelid lifts billed to Medicare have more than tripled over a decade.
Coverage Gaps Can Hamper Access To Some Breast Cancer Screening, Care
Angelina Jolie’s announcement about her double mastectomy has raised interest in genetic testing. These expensive tests are generally covered for women with a family history, but other screenings and treatment needs may be limited by plans.
Obamacare Insurance Won’t Cover Weight-Loss Surgery In Many States
In more than two dozen states, obesity treatments
In Case Of Tornado, EHRs Can Be Just The Prescription
Everyone expects a hospital to be ready to jump into action when disaster strikes. But what about when the disaster devastates the hospital itself? Turns out, it helps a lot to have an electronic medical record system in place. At least that was the case at Moore Medical Center in Oklahoma, a small hospital right in […]
Mass. Advocates Want To Snuff Out Higher Premiums For Smokers
You’ve heard all the campaigns and statistics: Smoking Kills. It’s the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. And it’s expensive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says smoking costs the country $193 billion a year in lost productivity and health care spending. Add another $10 billion for secondhand smoking expenses. That’s why […]
California Insurance Exchange Rates: Not Too High, Not Too Low
On Thursday, the state cleared 13 health plans to offer insurance in its Obamacare online marketplace – at prices that are lower than expected.
Can My Insurer Deny Coverage For Care At An Out-Of-Network Hospital?
Michelle Andrews answers a reader question about rules for emergency room care and out-of-network hospital costs under the health law.
11 Insurers Want To Play Ball In Colorado’s Marketplace
Corrected at 6:00 p.m. to reflect that 11 insurers, rather than 17 have submitted policies to sell in the state’s new online health insurance marketplace. The larger number includes those proposing to sell both inside and outside the online marketplace. Colorado became the latest state Wednesday to post proposed health insurance plans for its new online […]
Accuracy of Blood Glucose Meters Draws Scrutiny
Blood glucose meters, which millions of diabetics rely upon to regulate their blood sugar, have become less costly and easier and less painful to use. But they haven’t become more accurate, a top Food and Drug Administration official said Tuesday at a meeting of researchers analyzing studies that show wide variation in the performance of the machines […]
Survey: Even In Southern States, Medicaid Expansion Is Popular
Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina have a lot in common: The summers are hot and the political climates are conservative. These are states where Mitt Romney handily beat Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election, so it’s not surprising to learn that the president’s signature health law is unpopular there. But despite the […]