Latest KFF Health News Stories
Smoking Prevention Funds Run Short Despite Tobacco Settlement
In 1998, big tobacco companies settled a landmark lawsuit and agreed to pay states $246 billion over 25 years for smoking prevention efforts. Fourteen years later – with smoking still the country’s leading cause of preventable death – most states use only a fraction of the money for its intended purpose. An annual report found that less than 2 percent […]
Governors Weigh Options On Health Insurance Exchanges
What’s at stake if they build state-based exchanges, partner with the federal government — or let federal regulators run everything?
Advocates Sue To Change The ‘Nursing Cliff’ In California
It was some 21st birthday present. When Pablo Carranza turned 21 in September, California’s Medicaid agency notified him that the around-the-clock nursing care he receives at the Chula Vista, Calif., home he shares with his mother would be sharply cut back. Carranza has muscular dystrophy and can only move his left thumb and his eyes. The […]
Today’s Headlines – Dec. 6, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report that some in the GOP are urging lawmakers to support the idea of trading tax breaks for changes in safety-net programs. The Washington Post: Some In GOP Urge Lawmakers To Back Tax Hikes For Changes In Safety-Net Programs A growing chorus of Republicans […]
In Many Communties, Nurse Practitioners Fill An Important Void
Many states are trying to loosen decades-old licensing restrictions, known as “scope of practice laws,” that prevent nurse practitioners from playing the lead role in providing basic health services.
Huge Experiment Aims To Save On Care For Poorest, Sickest Patients
An effort in California to move Medicaid patients into managed care has national significance as federal officials roll out a similar but larger program for as many as 2 million people who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare.
KHN Changes How It Describes Medicaid Eligibility Level Under Health Law
Since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in March 2010, most news organizations including Kaiser Health News have reported that in 2014 the law would expand Medicaid coverage to nearly everyone with a household income below 133 percent of the federal poverty level, which this year is nearly $31,000 for a family of four. But […]
California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, is trying to save money by moving thousands of its patients into managed care health plans. For Juan Cameros, that meant he could no longer see the surgeon who had been treating him.
Today’s Headlines – Dec. 5, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest on the looming fiscal crisis as well as market developments and health policy news from the states. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Hot Rhetoric Aside, There’s Overlap In Competing Fiscal Offers That Could Form Basis Of A Deal Both sides now concede that tax […]
Medicare Changes Loom As ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Negotiations Pick Up
Health on the Hill: KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about Republican and Democratic proposals and possible cuts in federal health care spending.
How The ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Affects Health Care: Six Questions
As Congress and the president aim for a deal by year’s end, there may be serious consequences for health programs.
Electronic Health Records Breed Digital Discontent For Some Docs
Two years and $8.4 billion into the government’s effort to get doctors to take their practices digital, some unintended consequences are starting to emerge. One is a lot of unhappy doctors.
Today’s Headlines – Dec. 4, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of the GOP counteroffer in the fiscal talks, as well as the White House reaction to it. The New York Times: Initial Deficit Cuts Are Sticking Point In Negotiations For all the growing angst over the state of negotiations to head off a fiscal […]
State Insurance Officials Raise Concerns About ‘Rate Shock’ For Young People
If young adults can’t afford health insurance policies available in 2014 under the health care law, state insurance officials are worried they won’t buy them. And that could drive up the cost of insurance for the mostly older, sicker people who do purchase coverage. That’s a potential problem even in states like California and Rhode Island, […]
Study: Hospice Rules May Keep Away Patients
Nearly four out of five hospices have enrollment policies that keep away patients with potentially high-cost medical needs, such as palliative chemotherapy and intravenous feeding tubes, according to a new study. Hospice is one of the fastest growing segments of Medicare, and many health policy experts laud it as a humane and cheaper way to […]
Patients Often Don’t Realize Preventive Care Is Free, Study Says
Researchers have known that members of high-deductible health plans, a rapidly growing type of coverage, seem to get less preventive care than people who pay lower out-of-pocket costs. But evidence for why was scanty. After all, under the 2010 Affordable Care Act many preventive screenings and treatments are covered with no out-of-pocket cost at all, even for high-deductible insurance. […]
Health Plans Gear Up To Sell Directly To Consumers
Insurers develop new business strategies as the health law upends old models.
One-On-One With A 2-Year-Old Cancer Patient
Child life specialist Liz Anderson of Children’s National Medical Center explains how she uses play to help 2-year-old Jade Tukan, a cancer patient, understand her medical care.
Specialists Work To Reduce Kids’ Fears In The Hospital
Child life specialists use play to help seriously ill children understand what happens in the hospital.
Weighing A State Mini-COBRA Plan; Premiums Based On Pay
Insurance columnist answers readers’ questions about choosing coverage after leaving a job, health law requirements for small businesses and salary-based premiums.