Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘Don’t Choose Paper’: Sebelius, Blumenthal Provide Detail On Health IT Funds
At a forum in Chicago, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Vice President Joe Biden announced Thursday the release of $1.2 billion of stimulus money to help with the adoption of electronic medical records at a forum in Chicago.
Transcript: Health On The Hill – August 19, 2009
Jackie Judd talks with KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin about the growing political pressure on President Obama and congressional Democrats to scale back the cost and scope of the health care overhaul legislation this fall.
There’s no doubt the administration’s new health reform sales pitch works much better in focus groups. But does it really describe what’s under consideration in Congress?
Attacks May Force Democrats To Scale Back Health Reform Ambitions
Although some Democratic party stalwarts still urge administration to hold out for a comprehensive health care bill, others say a defeat in Congress could be politically disastrous.
Can Health Reform Pass? Experts Weigh In
Will President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats have to greatly scale back their health care overhaul proposals to get legislation passed this year? Here’s what some experts advise.
Health Care Uproar Swallows Whole Foods
Whole Foods has taken pains to distance the corporation from founder and CEO John P. Mackey, but it may be too late. His article slamming Obama’s health care plans has caused an uproar and led some to boycott the store. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Health On The Hill – August 19, 2009
Jackie Judd talks with KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin about the growing political pressure on President Obama and congressional Democrats to scale back the cost and scope of the health care overhaul legislation this fall.
What Can A Medical Billing Advocate Do For You?
When a claim is denied, an out-of-network fee is too costly, or an uninsured patient confronts an unclear or towering bill, an advocate may be able to help.
Code Blue: Out-of-Network Charges Can Spur Financial Emergency
When Gary Diego’s wife, Ellen, had bleeding in her brain, she ended up in an out-of-network emergency room. And he ended up with a huge bill. In a practice known as balance billing, insurers pay a portion of the out-of-network charges, and the rest is dumped on patients.
Health Co-Ops Touted As Alternative To Public Plan
Facing mounting opposition to the overhaul, administration officials left open the chance for a compromise with Republicans that would include health insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run plan. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Boehner Blasts PhRMA On Deal With White House
The House Minority Leader suggested that the drug-industry pact with President Obama, whom he called a “bully” – will backfire on industry and consumers. The GOP has its own health bill, which Boehner announced on June 17.
Transcript: Health On The Hill Discussion Of The Public Plan
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and NPR health correspondent Julie Rovner talk about the chances that the public option will not be in a health overhaul bill, details about how health cooperatives might work and the flap over end of life care.
Health On The Hill – August 17, 2009
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and NPR health correspondent Julie Rovner talk about the chances that the public option will not be in a health overhaul bill, details about how health cooperatives might work and the flap over end of life care. A podcast and transcript are also available.
Ad Audit: Club For Growth’s Anti-Government Message
An anti-tax group goes after Democratic health reform proposals, alleging they would lead to rationing and crushing government deficits. But the campaign includes some dubious comparisons with the British health system, and the group’s recommended solutions are open to question.
Transcript: President Obama’s Colorado Town Hall Meeting On Health Reform
President Barack Obama spoke about health insurance, a pressed for a need to overhaul the health care system at town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colorado on Saturday.
President Obama’s Weekly Saturday Address – Prepared Remarks
The White House released these prepared remarks in advance of the President’s weekly Saturday address.
Excerpts of President Obama’s Montana Town Hall Meeting
At President Barack Obama’s town hall meeting in Belgrade, Montana, he was asked a number of questions about his push for health reform, including two pointed ones on paying for a health overhaul and on small business and insurance coverage.
Transcript: President Obama’s Montana Health Care Town Hall Meeting
The White House released a transcript of President Barack Obama’s town hall meeting in Belgrade, Montana. He begins with prepared remarks and then answers questions from the audience.
We live in a time when seemingly no subject is taboo. Yet, there remains one subject Americans seem unable to talk about in an honest and rational way: the inevitable decline of old age.
What The House Health Bill Says About End-Of-Life Care
Section 1233 of the health overhaul bill approved by three House committees has been the subject of great debate. We present the language as written in the bill itself.