Latest KFF Health News Stories
Is A Competitive Health Care Model All It’s Cracked Up To Be?
The track records of two programs often cited by Republican candidates suggest a more complicated picture.
Today’s Headlines — Sept. 20, 2012
NPR’s The Two-Way: Census: In 2011, Number Of Poor Americans Increased Young Americans are one of the first to feel the effects of the Affordable Care Act. … According to the Census, once young Americans aged 19 to 25 could be added to their parents’ plans, there was a 3.5 percent increase in the number […]
Q & A: Keeping Your Young Adult Child On Your Health Plan
Much of the time, even if the child is financially independent and has a job with insurance, the young adult can stay on the family plan.
Insurance Coverage Improves In 20 States, Census Shows
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HHS Touts Growth In Medicare Advantage Plans, Drop In Premiums
Just days away from a House hearing where Republicans are likely to charge that the 2010 health law’s cuts to Medicare Advantage plans will cause insurers to leave the program and seniors to pay more for coverage, the Obama administration said Wednesday that as a result of the law seniors now have more of these […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 19, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a series of reports detailing who makes up Romney’s so-called “47 percent” who get tax breaks and what federal assistance they receive — whether it is Medicare, Medicaid or another entitlement program. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Analysis: Romney Describes Government’s Role As Dramatically More Limited […]
Joint Commission Praises 620 Hospitals For Quality
Updated at 1:10 p.m. on Sept. 20. The Joint Commission, the nation’s major hospital accreditation board, is releasing its annual list of hospitals that have excelled at adhering to basic procedures for treating common illnesses such as heart attacks and strokes. The commission is recognizing 620 hospitals — 18 percent of those it accredits — as “top […]
Family Physicians Reject Suggestions To Have Nurses Lead Practices
With a shortage of primary care providers looming, the idea of using nurses and physician assistants to fill the gap often appears to be gaining traction. But according to a report released Tuesday by the American Academy of Family Physicians, having more nurse practitioner-led medical practices is not a viable solution. “Perceived shortages don’t justify […]
Medicare Battle Heats Up California House Race
A recent town hall shows how explosive the Medicare debate can get in the hottest races in the country.
Medicare’s Prominent Place In Pennsylvania Congressional Race
KHN’s Marilyn Werber Serafini talks about how the Medicare issue is playing in the race for Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District between Democrat Dr. Manan Trivedi and GOP incumbent Jim Gerlach.
Unchecked Rise In Obesity Will Be Costly To States, Report Says
A new report analyzing obesity trends warns that health care costs will increase alongside U.S. waistlines if current rates are left unchecked. It calls for mobilizing public health efforts and expanding funding to help adults and children become leaner. Mississippi, Louisiana and West Virginia have the highest adult obesity rates, but projections of health trends for 2030 […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 18, 2012
The New York Times: Limits Placed On Immigrants In Health Care Law The White House has ruled that young immigrants who will be allowed to stay in the United States as part of a new federal policy will not be eligible for health insurance coverage under President Obama’s health care overhaul. The decision — disclosed […]
Often Overlooked In Nursing Home Admission Paperwork Is An Arbitration Agreement
Signing the form means that if a problem can’t be amicably resolved, the patient or family agrees to take the dispute to a professional arbitrator rather than file a lawsuit.
Medicaid Helps D.C. Clinic Care For Ex-Prisoners
After their release, former prisoners often don’t have a job and, therefore, don’t have health insurance. The health law’s Medicaid expansion could be changing that soon, though.
Urgent Care Centers Are Booming, Which Worries Some Doctors
Millions of consumers embrace clinics’ convenience, but some physicians warn they’re no replacement for a family doctor.
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 17, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a number of reports about how Medicare and other health policy issues are playing important roles on the campaign trail. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Why It Matters: You’ll Feel It Whether That Health Care law Stays Or Goes The issue: America’s health care system is […]
Recessions Harm Older Workers’ Long-Term Health, Data Show
There are 20 million Americans between 55 and 60. Nearly 1 million are unemployed, according to the Labor Department. Many more lack health coverage, suggests the Census Bureau’s new report on income, poverty and health insurance. Thanks to the lousy economy, the whole group is at higher risk for long-term health problems and earlier death, suggests new research from Wellesley College. Wellesley economist Phillip B. Levine and colleagues mashed mortality and […]
Colorado Gets Closer To Essential Health Benefit Benchmark
Colorado is moving forward with broad consensus among the state’s decision makers on the minimum level of health coverage people will be required to carry beginning in 2014.
Hospital Readmission Rates Dropping Slightly, New Study Finds
A new government analysis has found that hospital readmission rates of Medicare patients have fallen more than previously reported, bolstering hope that hospitals are having some success at tackling this stubborn and expensive problem. Hospital readmissions have been getting extensive attention as a new penalty program kicks in next month, which will cost hospitals as […]
Automatic Budget Cuts Will Reduce Medicare Payments To Doctors, Providers By $11 Billion
The Obama administration released a report Friday afternoon detailing the automatic cuts that would begin in January as part of deal to raise the debt ceiling made last summer by the administration and Congress, staff writer Mary Agnes Carey reports.