Latest KFF Health News Stories
Federal Retiree Weighs Whether To Keep FEHB Or Switch To Medigap
Insurance columnist answers readers’ questions about federal workers’ best deal on supplementing Medicare and signing up for Medicare if you’re living abroad.
Today’s Headlines – Oct. 8, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports and analysis from the campaign trail regarding both the presidential contest as well as House and Senate races. Los Angeles Times: Obama’s Healthcare Law: Historic Reform And Signature Failure As the president seeks reelection, the Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, stands as a […]
Critical Decisions Await Patient, Family Members When Medicare Deadline Looms
Every day, at least 10,000 people turn 65 and most become eligible for Medicare. That can raise lots of questions: for those still working, should they enroll or keep their company’s health plan? If they retire, how does that affect spouses and children?
Study: Most Seniors’ ER Visits Could Be Avoided
Nearly 60 percent of Medicare beneficiary visits to emergency rooms and 25 percent of their hospital admissions were “potentially preventable”– had patients received better care at home or in outpatient settings — according to results of a study released Friday by a congressional advisory board. “These are spectacular rates,” said Scott Armstrong, a member of the […]
Today’s Headlines: Oct. 5, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more coverage of how health policy issues were addressed during Wednesday’s presidential debate. The New York Times: Entering Stage Right, Romney Moved To Center He used the first presidential debate to speak out forcefully to its wide television audience against the idea of cutting taxes […]
Berwick: Debate Underscores Challenge Explaining Health Law
More than two and a half years after he signed the most far reaching health care legislation into law, President Barack Obama showed in his Wednesday debate with Mitt Romney that explaining the law is still no easy job. “It’s a great law and complex and complicated … but there is a continuing job to […]
Insurers Get Ready For Exchanges, But Exchanges May Not Be Ready For Them
Insurers are spending big dollars on marketing, technology and risk analysis of the new health care landscape. But with exchanges supposed to go live in late 2013, where and how companies will plunge – and how deep – is far from clear.
Letters to the Editor is a periodic KHN feature. We welcome all comments and will publish a selection. We will edit for space, and we require full names.
Highmark Files Suit Against West Penn Allegheny In Pittsburgh
The Pennsylvania insurer Highmark has filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas to prevent West Penn Allegheny Health System from forming alliances with other entities. Last year, Highmark said it was purchasing the financially struggling hospital system. Last week, West Penn Allegheny announced it was breaking ties with Highmark and searching for […]
Denver Debate: The Candidates Discuss Medicare
Medicare and how to rein in its rapidly growning costs was a major focus of Wednesday night’s presidential debate in Denver between President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney.
Breaking Down The Debate, Word-By-Word
President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney had plenty to say about health care in the first debate in Denver Wednesday night. Here are they words they chose — with the most-frequently used words shown larger — during the discussions about health policy issues during the debate. Obama words: Romney’s words:
Today’s Headlines – Oct. 4, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including highlights, analysis and fact-checking from last night’s presidential debate. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Romney, Obama Tangle Over Health Care Reform Law In First Presidential Debate Republican Mitt Romney is vowing to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law, saying it adds costs to the health […]
Denver Debate: Medicaid As A Domestic Priority
The Medicaid program was not a major focus of Wednesday night’s debate between President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, but it was a topic of discussion as the two candidates laid out their domestic policy priorities.
Denver Debate: Obama And Romney On ‘Obamacare’
The bulk of Wednesday night’s presidential debate in Denver focused on the topic of health care. In this segment, President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney discuss the 2010 health law.
How Will The Election Change Medicaid?
Frequently asked questions about Romney and Obama’s very different visions for the future of state-federal health program.
HHS Secretary Touts The ACA’s Benefits For Older Hispanics
Just hours before the first presidential debate, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius delivered a message about the dire need to protect Medicare and Medicaid funding to a critical electoral constituency. Sebelius was the keynote speaker at the National Hispanic Council on Aging’s National Summit in Washington, an annual meeting of Hispanic health care, housing, aging […]
Grover Norquist Prods Georgia Legislators To Drop Hospital Tax Used To Raise Funds For Medicaid
The author of an anti-tax pledge signed by many of the nation’s GOP lawmakers says renewing the hospital tax would amount to “a violation” of their promise. Some hospitals are firing back saying the tax is needed.
Today’s Headlines – Oct. 3, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including presidential debate previews and reports on a new round of polling. The Wall Street Journal: Race Tightens In 2 States As Ohio Gap Widens The presidential race is tightening in the battleground states of Florida and Virginia, but one of the biggest prizes—Ohio—remains a difficult […]
Medicaid Stars In New Obama Campaign Ad
http://www.youtube.com/v/dzMHhFOdXCc?version=3&hl=en_US At last, Medicaid is getting some respect. Medicaid, not Medicare, is the subject a new television campaign advertisement for President Barack Obama (above). The 30-second ad is being broadcast in five election battleground states — Colorado, Virginia, Nevada, Iowa and Ohio. It accuses GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney of supporting the plan passed by […]
Maine Seeks To Cut Medicaid Eligibility
Gov. Paul LePage is seeking cuts to the rolls of MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, by more than 23,000 people and reduced benefits for nearly 3,800 others.