Latest KFF Health News Stories
A Medicare Reform Model Everyone Can Love (Guest Opinion)
Democrats and Republicans may not be able to agree on whether to increase taxes as part of a deal to raise the federal debt ceiling. But they can at least agree on this much: the need to restrain Medicare spending. The trick is finding a way to do it without sacrificing quality and access to care.
After Much Scrutiny, HHS Releases Health Insurance Exchange Rules
Industry and consumer groups are poring over more than 200 pages of long-awaited proposed federal rules on state-based insurance exchanges, a critical element of the federal health law.
President Calls For ‘Meaningful Changes’ To Medicare, Medicaid (Video Excerpts)
In his news conference today, President Barack Obama discussed negotiations with Republicans regarding the debt ceiling and the deficit. He also paid some attention to efforts to curb entitlement spending, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Q&A: Can I Get Medical Treatment And Hospice Care At The Same Time?
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a reader who wonders if there are states where they can get both curative care and hospice care at the same time. The health law may provide some solutions, Andrews says.
Alan D. Aviles, the longest serving president of the nation’s largest municipal health system, discusses his efforts to stabilize HHC’s finances in the face of dramatic budgetary challenges — including the health law’s reduction in special funding for safety net hospitals and state efforts to reduce Medicaid costs.
A New Health Care? Many Doctors Skeptical of New Technology
Video: Like many physicians across the country, Cleveland doctor Conrad Lindes is worried about one of the government’s latest overhauls to the medical system: digitizing health care. He believes the government is forcing doctors to make a change to electronic medical records before they — and the technology — are ready.
Doctors In Small Practices Slow To Dump Paper Records
Despite carrots and sticks from the federal government, some physicians are leery about moving to electronic health records.
Why It’s Okay That EHR Adoption Will Fall Behind 2011 Goals (Guest Opinion)
Federal officials had hoped a multitude of doctors and hospitals would adopt electronic health records in 2011. But, in reality, the number of physicians using EHRs won’t likely move beyond the current 20 percent to 25 percent rate. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Utah Health Exchange Is Geared To Small Business Employees-The KHN Interview
Patty Connor, the director of the state’s exchange, says officials designed it for a specific audience but if it has to be expanded to meet federal requirements, the state will do it.
Health Law Provision Could Cost Delaware Hundreds Of Insurance Jobs
Cigna and other insurers are upset coverage for Americans living abroad is not exempted from health law.
S.C. Doctors Fear 5% Medicaid Cut May Cause Patients To Lose Access
State officials, who note that the state payments are above the national average, say they are monitoring the situation.
A Dozen States Slice Medicaid Payments To Doctors, Hospitals
Some experts fear that the cuts could lead to rise in number of doctors who refuse to take Medicaid patients.
Letter To The Editor: Hospices Are Serving A Critical Need
This letter was written in response to Jordan Rau’s story, Concerns About Costs Rise With Hopices’ Use, which was published by Kaiser Health News and the New York Times on June 27.
Federal Officials Try Again To Bolster Plans For People With Medical Conditions
The administration sets a second premium reduction hoping to entice more enrollees.
Managed Care Enters The Exam Room As Insurers Buy Doctor Groups
Large health insurers are trying to curb rising costs by gaining control over those who provide care: doctors.
New Rules Provide Relief For Sleep-Deprived Medical Residents
New rules limiting the shifts first-year medical residents can work in hospitals take effect today, but they won’t end the debate over the pros and cons of 24-hour workdays.
Medicaid: Extending The Enhanced Federal Match Makes Sense (Guest Opinion)
June 30 was the day when Medicaid’s enhanced federal matching rates expires, leaving states struggling to sustain health care’s safety net. A sensible solution would be for Congress to simply extend the supplemental funds.
Consumers Add Their 2 Cents To Health Law’s Plan Labels
Focus groups evaluate standardized, plain English forms that plans may have to provide customers starting next March.
The Most Commonsensical And Hopeless Reform Idea Ever (Guest Opinion)
Two experts want to change hospital care in a way that may well rank as both the most commonsensical and most hopeless health reform proposal ever.
Q&A: Should I Consider The High-Risk Pools For Insurance Coverage?
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a reader who wonders if they should look for catastrophic insurance coverage if traditional coverage is out of reach. Consider high-risk pools, Andrews says.
