Latest KFF Health News Stories
Text: House Democrats Call for Justice Thomas’s Recusal on Health Law Constitutionality
In a letter to Justice Thomas, 74 House Democratic members write that “the only correct path” is for the judge to recuse himself from deliberations on cases involving the new health care law.
Text: Republican Governors Ask For Faster Review Of Health Overhaul Lawsuits
On Wednesday, 28 GOP governors sent a letter to President Obama asking him to foster faster review of the health care overhaul lawsuits so the Supreme Court can rule on their constitutionality “as soon as possible.”
Insurance Reform Is Not Cost Control
Now that House Republicans, along with a few Democrats, have passed a bill to repeal last year’s health reform law, they are planning to offer some alternatives for replacing it. But how can we tell if their plans are likely to tackle the of high health care spending?
Vermont Gov. Proposes Single-Payer Health Plan
Shumlin’s bill would set up state-run insurance coverage, but many details
Some Doctors Dispute Benefits Of Early Diagnosis
Dartmouth researchers argue that ordering screenings for people with no symptoms too often leads to costly treatment for people who would likely never have gotten sick.
Sebelius Vows To Ensure CLASS Program Is Financially Viable
HHS is considering a number of options to make sure healthy, less costly people are attracted to the long-term care program and costs are held in check.
Health On The Hill Transcript: Democrats On Defense As Republicans Plan Attack On Health Law
House Republicans are holding committee hearings this week on the health law’s provisions governing Medicare, abortion and small business.
Health On The Hill: Democrats On Defense As Republicans Plan Attack On Health Law
House Republicans are holding committee hearings this week on the health law’s provisions governing Medicare, abortion and small business.
Sebelius Vows To Ensure CLASS Program Is Financially Viable
HHS is considering a number of options to make sure healthy, less costly people are attracted to the long-term care program and costs are held in check.
‘1099’ Repeal Speaks Volumes About ObamaCare
When 34 Senate Democrats joined all 47 Republicans last week to repeal ObamaCare’s 1099 reporting requirement, their votes confirmed what their talking points still deny: ObamaCare will increase the deficit.
Alternatives To Mandating Insurance? Maybe
Some experts are proposing alternatives to mandating that nearly all Americans purchase health insurance – a requirement in the health law – including offering discounts for early buyers and instituting eligibility periods to use subsidies.
Ignoring Health Law Is ‘Risky Posture’ For States: KHN Interview With Alan Weil
State health policy expert Alan Weil offers his take on how states are wrestling with the implementation of health reform
Federal Judge In Mississippi Throws Out Challenge To Health Overhaul
A federal judge in Mississippi dismissed a challenge to the health law Thursday, only days after another federal judge ruled the law was unconstitutional because of its insurance mandate.
Senate Debate On Health Care Law Repeal Falls Along Party Lines
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., introduced an amendment to an unrelated bill today that would repeal the health law. Senators from both sides took to the floor, with Republicans arguing that the country wants repeal and Democrats maintaining that the benefits of the law are popular and outweigh any flaws in the legislation. Watch excerpts from the debate.
Blumenthal To Leave Obama’s Health IT Office
Harvard researcher paved the way for a $27 billion effort to push doctors and hospitals into the digital age.
States May Face Showdown With Feds Over Cutting Medicaid Rolls
Arizona has already asked for permission to trim back the program, and other states may follow as enhanced funding from Washington expires.
Female Docs Fall Further Behind On Pay
While more women are choosing medicine as a career, there’s a pretty big gender gap in starting salaries, researchers have found. The explanation used to be that women entered less lucrative specialties, but that’s not the case anymore.
Insurers, Consumer Groups Tussle Over Appeals Rule
The new health law requires beefed-up appeals processes, but insurance companies and advocates are battling over exactly what that means.
Is Richard Foster Right About Health Care Costs?
In recent Capitol Hill testimony, Foster, the government’s chief Medicare actuary, raised doubts about the health law’s ability to hold down future health care costs. But there are reasons to question his assumptions.
Florida Official Sends Back $1M
Even though Florida faces a big budget hole, Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said Tuesday the state will forfeit a $1 million federal grant that was supposed to go toward better oversight of health insurance rates.