Latest KFF Health News Stories
Democrats’ Medicare Offensive Falls Flat Against GOP
But the status quo on Capitol Hill doesn’t mean that the parties are unwilling to work on health care issues.
President’s Win Is Reprieve For ‘Obamacare’
The president’s victory cements the Affordable Care Act, expanding coverage to millions but leaving weighty questions about how to pay for it.
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 7, 2012
The nation’s re-elected President Obama, here are your health headlines: Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details of the outcome of the presidential election, as well as House and Senate races. Coverage also includes analysis regarding how those results will impact the implementation of the health law, negotiatioins surrounding the looming […]
Federal Deficit Talks Could Impact Obama’s Moves On Health Law
Mounting pressures to reduce spending could lead the administration to change several key provisions of the health overhaul.
Obama Win Boosts Health Law, But States Still Control Its Destiny
State lawmakers will control big coverage decisions, including whether to expand Medicaid to cover millions of uninsured.
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 6, 2012
Happy Election Day! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including an array of stories previewing today’s election possibilities and what the outcome might mean for the health law, Medicare and the health care industry. The Associated Press/Washington Post: No More Days: Obama, Romney Fight On Into The Night At The End Of […]
Study Finds Depression Is A Leading Risk For Higher Health Spending
Depression was the most costly among 10 common risk factors linked to higher health spending for employees, according to a new study of seven companies. The study published in Health Affairs found that the 10 factors — which also included obesity, high blood sugar and high blood pressure — were associated with nearly a quarter […]
Accountable care organizations are widely touted as one of the most effective cost-containing measures of the 2010 federal health law. Yet they have a great deal in common with the integrated delivery networks of the 1990s, leaving some wondering whether the bold experiment might come to the same disappointing end. “I don’t think these things […]
Less Experienced Doctors Cost Health Care System More, Study Says
Which physicians are driving up the nation’s health care costs the most? That’s the question that researchers at the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization, aimed to answer. Their new study, published in this month’s edition of Health Affairs, found that doctors with less experience spend more money treating patients than their veteran colleagues. “We […]
Election Will Decide Health Law’s Future
The highest court in the country upheld most of the Affordable Care Act in June. But everybody knew it was only an overture to today’s contest between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
Employers Expected To Keep Some Of Health Law’s Popular Provisions, Even If Obama Loses
But election results could affect the rollout of insurance marketplaces, and the availability of federal subsidies to buy coverage.
Dispelling Some Rumors About Medicare And The Health Law Limiting Care
Insurance columnist answers readers’ questions, including two about whether some older seniors are denied access to surgeries and whether the health law restricts the number of prescription drugs for patients.
Medicare Targets Health Plans With Low Ratings
Medicare officials are encouraging 525,000 beneficiaries to switch out of these 26 Medicare Advantage and drug plans that have received low ratings for three consecutive years.
Medicare Trying To Nudge Seniors Out Of Plans With Low Ratings
Government is sending letters to a half million beneficiaries to alert them to their plans’ poor performance.
Health Care Stakes Are High In California
More than any other state, California has wagered heavily on the Affordable Care Act. If a Romney administration follows through with its vow to undo the health law, the state’s early expansion of Medicaid, its online insurance marketplace and other reforms will have an uncertain future.
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 5, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the final round of polls, forecasts regarding which party will control the House and Senate and analysis of how campaign-trail messages have been playing during the election season’s final hours. The Wall Street Journal: Obama And Romney Deadlocked, Polls Show The dueling assertions […]
Health Issues On The Ballot In The States
Sprinkled throughout ballots across the country are state initiatives that run the gamut from education to animal rights to marriage. And health care is well-represented, too. The National Conference of State Legislatures labels health a “key issue” in this cycle’s roundup of state ballot questions. Here is a selection of those referenda, as reported by our […]
As California Prepares To Expand Medicaid, Only the Poorest Will Benefit In Sacramento
This month Sacramento rolls out the Low Income Health Program, but it will only be serving the poorest of the poor in the county.
Petition Calls For Hurricane Sandy First Responder Health Benefits
From leading evacuees through flooded streets to carrying a family pet out of a collapsing home, first responders have been dubbed the heroes of Hurricane Sandy. But not all of them had health benefits as they headed into the disaster zones this week. While local, full-time police, firefighters and EMTs have full coverage, first responders […]
Medicare Excludes Mid-Sized Physician Groups From Start Of New Payment System
Medicare is sparing 5,300 mid-sized physicians groups from the first phase of the government’s effort to pay doctors based on the quality of care. Medicare had originally planned to apply the “value-based payment modifier” to medical groups of 25 or more professionals, starting in January 2015 but based on physician performance during 2013. Doctors that […]