Latest KFF Health News Stories
Highlights: President Obama’s Health Reform Rally Remarks
This video highlights President Obama’s remarks during a health care reform rally held Friday, at George Mason University.
Figuring Out What A Hospital Can Get For Switching To Electronic Records
Beginning next year, tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer money will flow to doctors and hospitals to help them buy computerized medical record systems as part of the economic stimulus package. In a marketing pitch, one company is offering a calculator that shows how much money is on the line for a given facility.
Transcript: President Obama’s Health Reform Rally Remarks
The White House released a transcript of President Barack Obama’s remarks at a rally today at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia.
ObamaCare, Abortion and the Reagan Democrats
Roughly a dozen members of Congress have insisted they won’t vote for any measure that provides public subsidies for abortion beyond those allowed by the Hyde Amendment. This isn’t surprising. For decades Midwestern Democrats in Congress have generally been economic liberals and social conservatives.
The Changing Status Quo On Federal Abortion Funding
Mr. Stupak and his allies have threatened to deny health insurance expansion to millions of Americans all because the legislation does not go far enough in restricting abortion rights. Even without getting his amendment into the final bill, however, he has made large gains in achieving his agenda.
Nine Major Changes In The Democrats’ New Health Reform Bill
In their push to pass a sweeping health care overhaul this weekend, House Democrats unveiled a package of legislative fixes to lure undecided or opposed members of their party to the “yes” category.
With Health Bill Unveiled, House Digs For Votes
With the release of the final version of their health overhaul bill, Democrats set the stage for a showdown vote in the House on Sunday.
‘Cadillac’ Insurance Plans Explained
The Democrats final health bill negotiated by the House, Senate and White House and released today contains a scaled-back tax on high-cost insurance policies. Here is a brief guide to these types of insurance plans.
‘Cadillac’ Insurance Plans Explained
The Democrats final health bill negotiated by the House, Senate and White House and released Thursday contains a scaled-back tax on high-cost insurance policies. Here is a brief guide to these types of insurance plans.
House Rules Committee’s Analysis Of The Health Bill
The House Rules Committee released this “section-by-section analysis” of the Democrats’ health bill, The Health Care & Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.
Audio: Health On The Hill – Post-CBO Estimate on Reconciliation Package
With a new preliminary Congressional Budget Office score released Thursday morning and language of the health care reconciliation package posted in the afternoon, House Democratic leaders continue their push to pass their health care overhaul legislation this weekend.
Full Text: Reconciliation Act of 2010
Read the full text of the Reconciliation Act of 2010, as released today by Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y.
CBO Estimate: Reconciliation Act of 2010
CBO released its estimate on the Reconciliation Act of 2010. Read Douglas Elmendorf’s letter and the estimate here.
Democrats Seeking Health Care Votes Get “Yes” From 200 Groups
The alliance, spearheaded by the liberal advocacy group Families USA, says “the cost of doing nothing is much too high.”
States Weigh Taxes To Help Fund Medicaid-And Raise Federal Contributions
Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee and Wisconsin are considering taxing hospitals to help pay for Medicaid. Those extra funds can also generate more money from Washington.
House Democrats Weigh Obscure Tactic To Pass Health Care
Democrats are exploring a tricky procedure called “deeming” to speed up passage of health care legislation. The move would allow the House to pass the Senate health bill without a separate and distinct vote on it.
Piecemeal COBRA Health Insurance Subsidy Extensions Puzzle Laid-Off Workers
Congress has extended the COBRA subsidy periods again and again, helping many laid-off workers keep health insurance but sowing confusion as well.
Drug Prices Rise For Seniors Who Reach Medicare Part D Coverage Gap
Seniors who reach the “doughnut hole” for prescription medications find that price increases are far outpacing inflation, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study.
Midnight Munchies Keep Elderly Safer In NY Nursing Home
Like many nursing homes, the Parker Jewish Institute in New Hyde Park, N.Y., was having problems with some of its patients with dementia wandering at night. The staff worried about falls, but they didn’t want to hand out more psychotropic medicines. But one night in 2007, a nursing assistant accidentally stumbled on a solution.
As Medicare Pay Shrinks, Some California Docs Hike Patient Fees
One California cardiology group has confronted steep Medicare cuts with a tactic that may irk patients who already face soaring health costs in that state: Beginning April 1, Pacific Heart Institute, in Santa Monica, will charge some patients annual fees ranging from $500 to $7,500, in addition to the regular fees paid by patients and insurers.