Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
‘Model’ Health Systems Press Case For Medicare Fix In Reform
When talking about his vision for the U.S. health care system, President Barack Obama points to places like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Intermountain Healthcare in Utah, which are known for providing high-quality, low-cost care.
Transcript: President Obama On Health Reform
President Barack Obama delivered remarks from the White House on health reform.
Obama’s Remarks on Health Reform
President Barack Obama delivered remarks from the White House on health reform. He urged Congress not to postpone passing health care legislation.
The hot new concept in health care–Accountable Care Organizations– would get a test run in pilot projects included in health overhaul legislation.
Highly Praised Health Systems Say Medicare Payment Practices Need Overhaul
Integrated health systems have won kudos for their performances from President Obama. But officials at the health systems say the health overhaul bills being debated in Congress don’t reward them or encourage others to imitate them. They want lawmakers to move more aggressively to change the Medicare payment system to prod hospitals and doctors to provide better, less expensive care.
Rule To Prevent Medical ID Theft Angers Doctors
The last time you visited the doctor, were you asked to show a photo ID? Right now, it’s up to the doctor. But a new Federal Trade Commission regulation, called the ‘Red Flags Rule,’ may make such checks mandatory. The rule, which calls for “financial institutions and creditors to develop and implement written identity theft prevention […]
Blue Dogs’ Health Demands Get Boost From CBO
A leader of the Blue Dog Coalition of conservative House Democrats says he and six others in the group would vote together to block the health overhaul bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee unless changes were made to slow the rate of growth of federal health care spending, a concern raised by CBO Director Elmendorf yesterday.
Administration Facing Tough Sell To Doctors On Health IT
This week, progress was made in developing the framework for the $33 billion health information technology initiative created by the stimulus bill. Dr. David Blumenthal, who heads the Office of the National Coordinator, is a key figure in the process. But he still faces one of the most difficult challenges — convincing doctors that it is in their interest to participate.
Comments By CBO Director Underscore Conservatives’ Health Bill Concerns
A leader of the Blue Dog Coalition of conservative House Democrats said today that he and six others in the group will vote together to block health care legislation in committee unless changes are made to slow the rate of growth of federal health care spending and to ensure that rural hospitals are adequately reimbursed for treating new patients under the legislation.