Latest KFF Health News Stories
Cost Squeeze Raises Concerns About Health Benefits Package
As efforts continue to trim the cost of health reform, some lawmakers and patient groups are worried that the resulting insurance benefits will be less generous and affordable than they had hoped. Fiscal conservatives counter that Congress needs to be realistic about what the country can afford.
Bipartisan Health Bill Still Gets No Respect
Two senators – Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Bob Bennett say they have a health care solution, but are they too junior to get attention?
Lawmakers To Insurers: ‘Pony Up’ For Health Reform
As Senate Democrats scramble to finance an ambitious health care overhaul, they’re exploring ways to get extract money from the insurance industry, including taxing very costly policies. They’re also considering tacking a fee onto every new policy sold as a result of health reform or a flat tax on insurer profits.
Rahm Emanuel: Changes To Health System Take Time
Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, says “We will have a bill by the end of the year for the president to sign on health care that controls costs, expands coverage and provides choice.”
Hospitals Divided Over Proposal For Medicare Payment Czar
Powerful hospital trade associations are opposing President Obama’s plan for an independent commission to determine how much Medicare pays doctors and hospitals. But certain “model” hospital systems – such as CHRISTUS Health – are breaking ranks and supporting the idea.
Transcript: President Obama’s Ohio Health Care Town Hall Meeting
President Obama held a town hall-style meeting in Shaker Heights, Ohio to discuss health reform this afternoon.
President Obama’s News Conference On Health Reform
Excerpts from President Obama’s news conference, held on July 22, 2009.
Poll Shows Growing Anxiety About Health Overhaul
Public support for an overhaul the U.S. health care system has slipped somewhat, according to a new poll. But a majority of Americans still believe that “it is more important than ever to take on health care reform now.”
The House Bill Costs Far More Than $1 Trillion
House Democratic leaders have been selling the health care bill — now reported out by two of the three House committees to which it had been referred — as costing “only” $1 trillion over a decade. But that’s not really the whole story.
Transcript: President Obama’s News Conference On Health Reform
Transcript of President Obama’s fifth news conference.
Text Of President Obama’s Prepared Remarks For Tonight’s News Conference
The White House previewed excerpts of President Obama’s prepared opening remarks at tonight’s news conference.
Local Hospitals and Doctors Join Forces to Improve Health Care, Restrain Costs
Even as an overhaul of the nation’s health care system gets bogged down in Congress, hospitals, doctors and administrators from around the country talk about how they have changed the way they operate to bolster health care in their home towns.
Health Effects Of Comparing Care: No Easy Answers
The Obama administration and Congress are moving forward with plans to evaluate various medical treatments for common health conditions. But how the government uses this comparative effectiveness research and how it might benefit – or complicate – medical decision-making are matters of some debate.
Blue Dog Ross’s Conundrum: Should He Battle Health Bill That Could Benefit His Depressed Town?
Rep. Mike Ross grew up in tiny Prescott, Ark., and knows well the problems of many residents who can’t afford health care insurance and have trouble getting access to hospitals and doctors. Yet Ross, a leader of the Blue Dog Democrats, stands ready to try to block passage of a health care reform bill in the House that might help his constituents; he complains the bill doesn’t adequately contain costs or help rural areas enough.
President Obama Discusses Health Reform At Children’s Hospital
President Obama spoke about health reform at the Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Health on the Hill – July 20, 2009
The House Energy and Commerce Committee continues its consideration of health care overhaul legislation this week while Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is still developing his panel’s health care package. Meanwhile, President Obama is pressing lawmakers to keep the momentum going on health care and has scheduled several public appearances this week to discuss health care legislation.
Health On The Hill Transcript – July 20, 2009
Today, Kaiser Health News’ Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin, join Jackie Judd to discuss the busy week ahead for Congress and health reform.
White House Moves To Calm Health Care Bill Fears
The White House is fighting back against accusations that the health care overhaul bills moving through Congress would actually increase health spending rather than save money over the long haul.
Who Will Care for the Elderly and Disabled?
There are two separate problems that led to the shortage of health care workers to treat the elderly and disabled.
Checking In With Fitzhugh Mullan
Pediatrician Fitzhugh Mullan has been practicing public service medicine for more than 40 years. In a new essay in the journal Health Affairs, he calls on activists to resurrect “the fire of the Civil Rights movement” in their quest for universal health care.