Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health On The Hill Transcript: GOP, White House Tussle On Cost Of Law’s Repeal
Lawmakers are at odds over a Congressional Budget Office estimate that found repealing the new health law would add $230 billion to the deficit over the next decade.
Effort To Reward Medicare Advantage Plans Draws Criticism
MedPac assails Medicare plan to extend quality bonus payments – meant for top-performing health insurers – to those with lower scores.
Video: Delayed, Lawmakers Fight Over Cost Of Repeal
The House floor vote to repeal the health care law previously scheduled for Jan. 12 has been postponed due to the shooting in Arizona. Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans are at odds over a Congressional Budget Office estimate that found repealing the law would add $230 billion to the deficit over the next decade. Republicans say if the law is fully implemented it would cost taxpayers more than $700 billion.
Can We Stop Calling Them ‘Consumer Protections’ Now?
These supposed “consumer protections” are hurting millions of Americans by increasing the cost of insurance and the cost of hiring, as well as driving insurers out of business. They should be called what they really are: regulations that can hurt even more than they help.
Insurers Clash With Hospitals And Doctors Over ACO Rules
Powerful interests that are supposed to create and run the health law’s new accountable care organizations are fighting over what the rules governing ACOs should say.
President Obama Promises Health Law Repeal Veto
The Obama Administration issued a letter Thursday saying that the White House opposes repeal of the health overhaul and that Obama would veto it if it reaches his desk.
With A New Congress, It’s High Time For Some Health Overhaul Facts
With the debate over health overhaul back in full force, we examine the claims being thrown around by Republicans and Democrats about the effect of the law and what might happen if it’s repealed.
Zeke Emanuel, Adviser On Health Reform, Leaves White House
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, a health care adviser in the Office of Management and Budget and brother of Rahm Emanuel, returned to his post at the National Institutes of Health this week.
Obama Health Care Officials Switch Jobs, Reorganize
Besides an array of health care challenges, the new year is bringing changes in the staff putting the new law into effect.
Text: Republicans’ Health Reform Repeal Legislation And Original Overhaul Proposal
With Republicans setting a Jan. 12 vote in the House to try to repeal the new health care law, here is the language of the GOP’s repeal and health reform bills.
CBO Weighs In On GOP Health Law Repeal
The Congressional Budget Office says that repealing the Democrats’ health law will add to budget deficits over the long-term and to the tune of $145 billion through 2019.
How Top Health Lobbyists Were Paid 2009
Chart examines how top health care company lobbyists were paid in 2009.
How Top Health CEOs Were Paid 2008-2009
Chart examines how top health care company CEOs were paid in 2008 and 2009.
Many CEOs Of Health Industry Groups Earned Big Bonuses
Leaders of health industry trade groups received big pay packages during 2009 as Congress debated the overhaul law affecting their members.
The Avastin Decision: A Rational Decision Or Rationing?
Sometimes the noisiest voices in the health overhaul debate don’t make a good faith effort to acknowledge important scientific or policy-oriented nuances in their arguments. It’s happening again in the wake of a controversial regulatory ruling about a cancer drug.
Transcript: Republicans Schedule Health Law Repeal Vote
House Republicans have scheduled a Jan. 12 vote to repeal the health care law. While the measure is expected to pass the House, Democrats in the Senate have pledged to stop the bill.
Video: Republicans Promise Health Law Repeal Vote
Repealing the health law is one of the House Republicans’ top priorities. While the repeal is expected to pass the House, Democrats in the Senate have pledged to stop the bill.
Improving The Health Law In 2011: Realistic Ways To Reach Bipartisan Compromise
There are ways for Democrats and Republicans to agree to improve the new health care law in 2011.
Insurers Sometimes Reject Neonatal Intensive Care Costs
In these specialized units for premature infants or babies with special needs, the doctors and other personnel may not be under contract with an insurer’s network even though the hospital is covered.
2 Million Medicare Beneficiaries Missing Out On Discounted Drug Coverage
Federal officials turn to ads and pitches from Chubby Checker to help get low-income seniors to enroll in the drug discount program.