Latest KFF Health News Stories
Shopping Tips For Medicare Drug Plans
Here are some questions SHIP officials recommend asking.
Open-enrollment season for Medicare Part D often brings confusion for seniors all over the United States trying to sign up for prescription drug plans. Most counties in the U.S., however, have programs to help seniors wade through the options.
After Bike Crash In Canada, Columnist Finds No Clear Road To Recovery At Home In NYC
After a serious bike crash in Canada, a writer returns home and finds many uncertainties in her medical options.
The Accidental (Medical) Tourist
Michelle Andrews shares with Jackie Judd about the health care system ordeal she went through after a bike accident in Canada landed her in the hospital there and about the follow-up care she got in the U.S.
Minnesota GOP Wrestles With Health Exchange Questions
The state could end up with an exchange run by the federal government, and some lawmakers think that’s a risk worth taking.
Table: Hospital Patient Satisfaction Ratings By Region
Hospital patients in different parts of the country give different ratings to their hospital experiences. The table below shows the average ratings patients gave in 294 regional hospital markets as calculated by Kaiser Health News.
When TLC Doesn’t Satisfy Patients, Elite Hospitals May Pay A Price
As Medicare prepares to factor patient ratings into reimbursements, hospitals everywhere are pulling out the stops to please. Some of the nation’s most prestigious hospitals are struggling to appease their exacting patients.
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 7, 2011
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on venture capitalists’ new interest in companies that can curb health costs and concerns among states on implementing the federal health law. NPR: Raising Medicare Age Could Lead To Higher Costs Congress’s so-called deficit reduction “supercommittee” is down to the final weeks of […]
Few Americans Think Health Is Improving In The U.S.
Public skepticism about health isn’t confined to doubts about last year’s health care law: Most Americans also think the overall health of the public isn’t improving, according to a new poll commissioned by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The poll found that 45 percent of people thought the health of Americans had become worse during […]
Children’s Health Program Opened To Low-Income State Employees
At least six states are taking advantage of a change mandated by the 2010 health law to allow their low-income workers to enroll kids in the Children’s Health Insurance Programs.
Health Investors’ New Calculus: Save Money To Make Money
Niche companies that mine health data, manage care and communicate with patients are capturing the imaginations of top venture capitalists.
Apology For A Death Sparked A Hospital’s Change
Every week, reporter Jessica Marcy selects interesting reading from around the Web. The Boston Globe Magazine: The C-Section Boom I was the obstetrician on hospital duty that Sunday morning, so I introduced myself and learned that the patient, pregnant with her first child, wished to have as few interventions as possible. Respecting her desire, we […]
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 4, 2011
Happy Friday! Autumn is taking over, but the super committee continues to rule the news. Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the super committee’s apparent impasse, and details on Mitt Romney’s plan to cut the deficit. The Washington Post: Debt- Reduction Supercommittee Talks Appear To Be At An Impasse […]
Immigrant Populations Growing — In More Ways Than One
America seems to be detrimental to the health of Hispanic immigrant populations — and the longer they are here the worse it is. New data show that as they settle into American lifestyles, Hispanic immigrants are diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes and obesity at almost the same rate as those born in the U.S. Hispanic immigrants who […]
Advocates: Don’t Scrap Minority Health Training Programs
Even as experts stress the need to provide more culturally competent care for the nation’s burgeoning Hispanic population, Congress is poised to reduce or eliminate some of the programs that fund training of minority students for careers in health care. Federally funded programs called Title VII and VIII are on the chopping block in both […]
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 3, 2011
Good morning world! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a bipartisan group of lawmakers who are urging the super committee to consider “all options.” The New York Times: Deficit Committee Could Seek More Time, A Top Democrat Says A top House Democrat said Wednesday that a bipartisan committee seeking ways […]
Grading Docs With Electronic Medical Records
Digitized medical records have the potential to have a powerful effect on doctors’ behavior and patients’ care.
Price (Bill) Is Right For Cain’s Health Fix
Following an immediate repeal of the health law, Herman Cain as president would sign a replacement bill designed to reduce costs and increase coverage with less government involvement. The measure embraced by Cain on Wednesday was first offered in 2009 by Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., and was reintroduced this September. It has 19 House Republican cosponsors. “It’s the […]
In Kansas, Republicans Can’t Agree On Insurance Exchanges
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback sent back a $31.5 million federal grant and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger worries it’s not sound policy.
Herman Cain On Health Reform: ‘I Believe In The Free Market System’
Watch video excerpts from the Republican presidential candidate’s address to the Congressional Health Care Caucus, where he outlined his plans for health policy.