Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Turn To Foundations To Help Pay Costs of Health Overhaul
Tight budgets are driving more than a dozen states to ask foundations for financial help with setting up exchanges and taking other actions required under the federal health law.
ACO Debacle Exposes Obamacare’s Fatal Conceit (Guest Opinion)
Obamacare’s number-one idea for improving health care quality and reducing costs is to promote something called “accountable care organizations” in Medicare is sinking like a stone because it is premised on the notion that government experts can direct the market better than consumers.
The Other Health Care Lawsuit: California Medicaid Case Headed To Supreme Court
The court will focus on whether outside groups, such as hospitals, pharmacists and Medicaid recipients, have the right to sue when they believe the state is violating federal law.
Medicaid To Stop Paying For Hospital Mistakes
Many states have such a nonpayment policy in place already. The 2010 federal health law, in effect, expands the ban nationwide.
Feds Cutting Fees, Requirements For High-Risk Health Insurance Pools
With enrollment falling far short of expectations, the Obama administration announces changes to make federally run high risk insurance plans both more affordable and more accessible.
Emergency Care, But Not At A Hospital
Originally conceived as a way to provide care in rural areas without hospitals, these freestanding ERs are cropping up in more developed areas.
Hospitals Face New Pressure To Cut Infection Rates
Under laws in more than two dozen states and new Medicare rules that went into effect earlier this year, hospitals are required to report infections, risking their reputations as sterile sanctuaries, or pay a penalty. That’s left hospital administrators weighing the cost of ‘fessing up against the cost of fines.
Health Law Provides Free Prevention Benefits – With Caveats (Video)
KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” columnist Michelle Andrews talks with Jackie Judd about the provisions in the health law that provide for free preventive tests. While the law doesn’t apply to all insurance plans, it should cut costs for many people.
Md. Health Secretary Sharfstein: Health Law Brings ‘Fast And Furious’ Opportunity
Dr. Joshua Sharfstein says his state, which is well ahead of many in implementing the overhaul, is eager to leverage federal help to improve health options.
Quality Prescription For Primary Care Doctors: Do Less
A group of doctors who want to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of primary care tinkered with some Top 5 lists for of dos and don’ts for pediatricians, family doctors and internists. They found that less is often more.
Prevention: The Answer To Curbing Chronically High Health Care Costs (Guest Opinion)
Kenneth Thorpe and Jonathan Lever write that Congress should be working to reduce health care costs by reducing the rates of the chronic diseases. Their message: It takes investment in the ounce of prevention to realize the pound of cure.
Many On-The-Job Clinics Offer Primary Care
These workplace centers are increasingly expanding beyond job injuries to offer on-site preventive tests and screenings and health coaching.
Democrats Push Senate Budget Vote On GOP Medicare Plan (Video)
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about Democratic efforts to get Senate Republicans on the record regarding an increasingly unpopular GOP budget that includes big changes to Medicare. A vote is scheduled this week. The move is seen by some as a strictly political step that won’t bring lawmakers closer to agreement on a budget. (A transcript is also available.)
Vermont Steps Closer To Single-Payer Health Care
Gov. Peter Shumlin says the new system will treat health care as a right and be a huge jobs creator.
States Cutting Back On Drug Programs For HIV Patients
Budget shortfalls are forcing many states to tighten their AIDS drug assistance programs and bump low-income patients to waiting lists.
Health Insurance Rate Hikes Face Tougher Scrutiny
The Obama administration issued final rules Thursday requiring insurers to justify rate increases of 10 percent or more.
Survey: Consumers Face Higher Health Care Costs
Employees will be experiencing higher co-pays and deductibles in their health insurance next year as employers continue to reduce their overall coverage to deal with rapidly rising costs.
What Medicaid Cuts Will Mean For Seniors And Others With Disabilities (Guest Opinion)
Howard Gleckman wonders how society will provide care to the frail elderly people who rely on the program and account for one-third of its budget.
Coburn Exit Has Some Questioning Role Of Gang Of Six
In today’s Health On The Hill, KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with The Fiscal Times’ Eric Pianin about the Gang of Six, negotiators seeking consensus on deficit reduction plans. The group lost a member this week after Sen. Tom Coburn left talks Tuesday over proposed cuts to Medicare, potentially leaving them overshadowed by other similar efforts, like one headed by Vice President Joe Biden.
States Struggling To Pay For Aged, Disabled Community Programs – A KHN Interview
Martha Roherty, who represents officials running state programs, says that “things that allow people to keep their family members at home longer” are often being cut.
