Latest KFF Health News Stories
Minnesota Experiment Puts Patient Health First
Doctors paid a salary, rather than per procedure ordered, shift their emphasis to prevention. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Whatever Happened To the Uninsured?
What the uninsured are missing, plain and simple, is a group of individuals with the passion to organize them around the issue.
Nixon’s Plan For Health Reform, In His Own Words
In 1974, President Nixon proposed universal health care, financial assistance for those who needed it and a way to control costs – a plan strikingly similar to those on Capitol Hill now.
Taking Doctors’ Profits Out Of Medical Care Decisions
Lawmakers look for a way to shift doctors’ incentives from monetary profit to healthy outcomes. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Could Lawsuit Curbs Pave Way For Health Care Deal?
The GOP has long said that many of the ills of the nation’s health care system can be remedied with a cap on medical malpractice suits. Democrats say limits on pain and suffering awards are not the answer. Could a compromise save the president’s health care initiative? This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Sen. Charles Grassley Discusses Alliance with Sen. Max Baucus
In an interview with KHN’s Eric Pianin, Republican Grassley says his long-standing alliance with Democratic Finance Committee Chairman Baucus remains strong despite political pressure but won’t influence his decision on whether to support bipartisan health care legislation. Listen to the interview.
Baucus-Grassley Bipartisan Partnership Frays Under Health Reform Pressures
For nearly a decade, the two Senate Finance Committee leaders have found ways to bridge partisan divides to shape dozens of bills. But their partnership is being severely tested on a health care overhaul plan.
Piecemeal Reforms Won’t Control Health Care Costs, Report Says
A new report offers specific recommendations on how to “bend the curve” regarding costs to the nation’s health system.
Advice From Massachusetts: Beware Of ‘Unstable Compromise’ On Health Reform
Architects of the Massachusetts universal coverage initiative outline key lessons they have learned so far.
Arizona Faces ‘Financial Tsunami’ Over Medicaid
While Washington lawmakers are discussing an expansion of Medicaid, Arizona is having trouble paying for the program at its current level. The state has one of the highest Medicaid rates in the country, with about 1 out of every 5 residents covered by the program for the poor. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
California PAC Sponsors ‘Tea Party Express’
Members of Congress will return from their August recess soon. They’ve been getting an earful back home about overhauling health care. A political action committee from California has launched a cross-country bus tour dubbed the “Tea Party Express.” Members are concerned about spending, higher taxes and bailouts. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Dr. House’s Prescription: More Medicine Is Better
Despite TV portrayals of best medicine, health reform proponents says patients could get good treatment — and cheaper care — if high tech tests were used more judiciously.
Transcript: Health On The Hill – August 31, 2009
New federal deficit numbers in combination with concerns that some voters have expressed at town hall meetings this August over the size, scope and cost of health care legislation may lead lawmakers to reconsider elements of the measure Democrats want to pass this year. The death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., may create new momentum among Democrats and Republicans to resolve their differences over the bill, but the many complexities involved with any overhaul of the nation’s health care system guarantee a lengthy debate this fall.
Health On The Hill – August 31, 2009
New federal deficit numbers in combination with concerns that some voters have expressed at town hall meetings this August over the size, scope and cost of health care legislation may lead lawmakers to reconsider elements of the measure Democrats want to pass this year. The death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., may create new momentum among Democrats and Republicans to resolve their differences over the bill, but the many complexities involved with any overhaul of the nation’s health care system guarantee a lengthy debate this fall.
Health Insurance: How Much More Should Older People Pay?
Maria Bishop, age 60, pays $500 a month for health insurance. Chris Denny, 27, pays $117. In most states, insurers can charge older customers far more than younger ones. As Congress wrestles with a health care overhaul, lawmakers are debating new limits that could narrow the difference.
Why Seniors are Health Reform Winners, Not Losers
In truth, seniors are likely to big winners if responsible health reform passes and prime victims if it fails.
What The ‘Gang Of Six’ Wants From Health Bill
If there is any hope of passing a bipartisan health care bill in the Senate, it may well lie with a key group of senators known as the Gang of Six. Three Democrats and three Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have continued to work on a compromise health care bill through Congress’ summer recess. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
In Health Care Debate, Fear Trumps Logic
Every effort to remake America’s health care system since the 1930s has been scuttled by the same technique – scaring the public. The opponents have been different, ranging from the AMA to the insurance industry to conservative ideologues. But the playbook has remained the same. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Nurses, Once in High Demand, Face Job Shortages
As economic conditions force a tighter job market, new nurses find it’s harder than ever to land their dream job-or any job, for that matter. It’s especially difficult in metropolitan areas.
Sen. Charles E. Grassley Discusses Prospects For Health Legislation
In an interview with KHN, Grassley talks about the impact of town hall meetings on bipartisan negotiations.