Latest KFF Health News Stories
COBRA, Medicaid Subsidies Still Loom Over Congressional Agenda
Democrats had hoped to extend health insurance subsidies for newly laid off workers, extend extra Medicaid payments to the states, and pass a long term Medicare ‘doc fix’ before the July 4 recess. But all they could accomplish was a short-term Medicare fix.
What You Need To Know About The Government’s New Health Insurance Website
The new health law mandated that the government set up a website to help consumers understand all of their insurance options. The site, http://www.healthcare.gov, launched July 1.
Online Health Insurance Broker That Once Feared Overhaul Now Sees New Opportunities
eHealthInsurance hopes to get government contract to run the new website that will serve consumers looking for insurance options.
Governors To Congress: Extend Extra Medicaid Funds
Kansas’ Mark Parkinson is one of a number of governors who are urging Congress to extend the additional Medicaid funds that are now scheduled to expire in December. The governors say without the extra help, state budgets could be devastated.
Health and Class: A New Look at Poverty and Illness
A new study looks at why more education and income sometimes means fewer colds and headaches.
Want To Know What A Hospital Charges? Good Luck
More than 30 states and Congress have passed laws requiring hospitals to publish their prices, but the information often is of little use to consumers.
Part-Time Workers To Get Help On Health Insurance
The new health care law promises to make it easier for part-time workers to find and buy affordable coverage, starting in 2014. Until then, they don’t have a lot of options.
Transcript: Health On The Hill
The Department of Health and Human Services is facing July 1 deadlines for creation of high-risk pools to help individuals who have been without health insurance for six months or longer and a new web portal to provide consumers with information about health insurance plans.
Health On The Hill – June 28, 2010
The Department of Health and Human Services is facing July 1 deadlines for the creation of high-risk pools to help individuals who have been without health insurance for six months or longer and a new web portal to provide consumers with information about health insurance plans.
HHS Launching Health Website For Consumers This Week
A new federal website will give consumers a list of all private and government health care plans for individuals and small businesses in their areas. Insurers and advocacy groups are clashing over the data to be provided.
The Medicare ‘Doc Fix’: How to Make Political Lemonade
The SGR system was flawed from the start and should have been fixed years ago. But now we have an opportunity to make necessary systemic changes. This lemon really can, and must, be turned into lemonade.
As Congress temporarily delayed the 21 percent Medicare pay cut to doctors, it failed to resolve the issue of COBRA benefits and Medicaid funding for hard-pressed states.
Health Care Model Faces Hurdles On Quality and Cost
If President Obama succeeds in slowing the growth of health care spending, it will be with some of the innovative services and procedures being used as part of a pilot project in Annapolis, Md.
Health Overhaul Train Leaves Doctors On The Platform
Good news and bad news for doctors who treat Medicare patients.
Experts cite a disturbing trend in the acceleration of medical spending in areas like Provo, Utah, once noted for lower costs.
Battle For Health Reform Moves Down Under
Australian prime minister’s drive for health overhaul is reminiscent of U.S. effort.
Checking In With… Mediation Expert Nancy Lesser On Congress’ Current Health Reform Dynamics
To an outside observer, the congressional impasse triggered by the health reform debate may seem increasingly entrenched poisoned by politics and conflicting agendas. But to a trained mediator, the debate’s dynamics are not so surprising. Nancy Lesser, a principal at PAX ADR, an alternative dispute resolution firm in Washington, D.C., says the term of […]
About Those Presidential Promises
Despite the relentless sales pitch, there was always a lot of skepticism among voters that such a government-heavy plan would leave them alone and be cost-free. Now, of course, their skepticism is being validated.
More Calls For Moderation In Use Of CT Scans
A pair of papers in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine add to a growing chorus urging doctors to be more judicious in their use of CT scans.
Medicaid’s Ticking Bomb – Long Term Care – Could Wipe Out State Budgets
A new study claims the costs of Medicaid’s long-term care services could cripple states’ already-fragile budgets.