Latest KFF Health News Stories
Teaching Doctors About The Cost Of Care
All new doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, promising to care for their patients to the best of their abilities. But what does that mean in terms of the cost of that care, when medical debt accounts for more than 60 percent of personal bankruptcies in the United States? The fee-for-service payment system has long rewarded doctors […]
Study: Mass. Global Payment Approach Lowers Costs, Improves Care
There’s some encouraging news in the ongoing struggle to control health care costs without sacrificing quality. The Alternative Quality Contract, a global payment model put in place by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts in 2009, has both curbed costs and improved the quality of care, according to a Harvard Medical School study published today […]
Could Grass-Roots Pressure Trigger Change Of Heart In Texas?
Health reform advocates and Democrats in Texas are reacting to Gov. Rick Perry’s vow to turn down both the Medicaid expansion and health insurance exchange mandated in the federal health law. Anne Dunkelberg of the left-leaning, Austin, Texas, think tank Center for Public Policy Priorities said that the Legislature will get to vote on whether […]
Firefighters Prevail In Fight for Health Insurance
President Obama has told federal agencies to start offering seasonal firefighters the same health benefits year-round federal employees get. The order came as legislation to make the change was introduced in Congress.
House Debates Repeal Of Health Law
Video Excerpts: In advance of Wednesday’s House vote to repeal the health law, Rep. John Dingell offers Republicans his gavel from Medicare passage, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor denounces “Washington-based care.”
Morning Joe’s Scarborough ‘Confesses’ His Son Benefits From Health Law
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640 Push aside that cup of coffee and check this out: TV personality and former House Republican Joe Scarborough revealed this morning that his 24-year-old son is among those benefiting from the health law. Scarborough, a small-government conservative who has criticized presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney for being the “the godfather of Obamacare,” was wrapping […]
How The SCOTUS Medicaid Ruling Could Save Money
The Obama administration doesn’t want states to skip Medicaid expansions, but it could save money.
Today’s Headlines — July 11, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the scheduled House vote on repealing the health law as well as how stakeholders — whether it be certain governors or wall street investors — are responding to the Supreme Court’s decision on the Medicaid expansion. Los Angeles Times: Republicans Focus On Repealing, […]
Sebelius Signal To States: Don’t Roll Back Medicaid Eligibility
In letter to governors, HHS Secretary Sebelius urges states to “take advantage of unusually generous” Medicaid expansion deal.
Report: Nation Isn’t Ready To Meet Elderly Patients’ Mental Health Care Needs
The U.S. is not prepared for the mental health needs of aging baby boomers, according an Institute of Medicine report released Tuesday. A continued lack of specialists and other trained providers including primary care physicians and nurses will likely make it difficult for aging patients to receive treatment for depression, dementia and other conditions. In […]
Court Ruling Triggers Tax Debate On Capitol Hill
Jackie Judd talks to KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey about Tuesday’s House Ways and Means Committee session on the individual mandate and congressional taxing authority. They also preview Wednesday’s House vote to repeal the health law.
Today’s Headlines — July 10, 2012
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including findings of a new Washington Post poll indicating Americans remain divided on the health law. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, cracks may be emerging in the Republican’s repeal effort. The Washington Post: Americans Still Divided On Health-Care Reform: Poll Americans are as evenly divided as […]
New Guidelines On Obesity Treatment Herald Changes In Coverage
The recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that people who are obese get “intensive, multicomponent” intervention offers support for consumers, but it is not clear that employers and insurers welcome the change.
ACO Rollout Continues With 89 New Networks
The next round of accountable care organizations is out at last. On Monday, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the selection of 89 new ACOs. That’s more than triple the number of ACOs selected in the previous round. As of July 1, the newly anointed networks became responsible for providing better, cheaper […]
CBO To Release New Budget Numbers for Health Law Week of July 23
The Congressional Budget Office will release its estimate of the federal budgetary impact of the Supreme Court health law ruling the week of July 23, according to a blog post by CBO Director Doug Elmendorf. “Because such updated projections are the base against which CBO will estimate the budgetary effects of changes in the ACA, […]
Some Employers Waiting Until After Elections To Prepare For Health Law
For one in six employers, the Supreme Court’s health law decision wasn’t enough to convince them to prepare for big changes set to take effect in 2014, according to Mercer, an employer consultant. Mercer surveyed 4,000 employers after the court’s ruling, and found that 16 percent still intended to wait until after the November election to […]
GOP To Make 31st Attempt To Repeal Obamacare Act
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. The House Rules Committee takes up a bill Monday called the “Repeal of Obamacare Act.” And just like it says, the bill would wipe away the president’s Affordable Care Act. A vote of the full House is planned for Wednesday. It’s the first legislative response from […]
Today’s Headlines — July 9, 2012
Good morning! Here are some headlines to get your day going: NPR: GOP To Make 31st Attempt To Repeal Obamacare Act The House Rules Committee takes up a bill Monday called the “Repeal of Obamacare Act.” And just like it says, the bill would wipe away the president’s Affordable Care Act. A vote of the […]
Abortion Opponents Find Success In Statehouses
Mississippi’s battle over abortion may be the most dramatic in the nation right now, but it is far from the only one. On the state level, 2012 has brought a near-record number of anti-abortion laws and provisions.
Q&A: Concierge Care And Choosing A Doctor
Michelle Andrews answers a reader question about doctors who charge extra fees for more personalized care.