Latest KFF Health News Stories
Why Are Health Costs So High? The System Pushes Doctors To Give Unnecessary Care
In the mid-1970s, an unconventional researcher named Jack Wennberg discovered an unusually high rate of hysterectomies in Lewiston, Maine. That was just one of a series of studies that led to a very surprising conclusion about health care: a large portion of the medical care Americans get is unnecessary.
Buying Insurance On The Individual Market
Freelance writer Cindy Richards buys insurance on the ‘individual market’ – from a broker – to cover herself and her son and daughter. Her husband had to buy a policy separately. Between them, they pay $500 a month in premium costs and have a yearly deductible of over $10,000. She believes it’s “too difficult” to get health insurance in America.
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine how a health overhaul would affect the individual insurance market.
On Their Own, Self-Employed Search For Health Care
Cindy Richards and her husband Scott Fisher at their home in Oak Park, Ill. Richards is a freelance writer and editor who buys health insurance to cover herself and her family.
‘Facility Fees’ Are Surprise Cost For Many Patients
Facility fees, charged to patients who get treatment in hospital-owned outpatient clinics, are used defray to hospital overhead, pay salaries and meet stringent standards, hospital officials say. Critics say the fees are a way to increase the cost of care when patients can least afford it.
Grady’s Challenges Highlight Problems of Safety-Net Hospitals
The cornerstone of Atlanta medical care strives to turn a corner, but fight over dialysis center underscores difficulties of meeting increasing demands in a poor economy.
Health Care Bill or No, Medicare Advantage Premiums Will Rise
Miami seniors will still pay nothing for coverage; rates to rise in New York and Philadelphia.
Study: Young Docs Stumped By Health Care System, Too
Fewer than half of all graduating medical students say they have a good sense of how to navigate health care systems or the economics of practicing medicine, according to a new study.
Senate Health Overhaul Plan Offers Employers Penalties, Assistance
For employers, the Senate Finance Committee health bill says size matters. Small businesses that don’t offer coverage would get tax credits while the bigger ones could face fines.
Employer Provided Private Insurance Video: Dave Koenig
Dave Koenig gets private insurance through his employer and couldn’t be happier. As a conservative, he thinks private health care is the way to go, but he supports some changes to the insurance industry to protect patients from losing their coverage.
Employer-Based Insurance Explained
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine employer-sponsored health insurance.
Holding Onto Health Insurance That Works
For some Americans, insurance is what it’s supposed to be: coverage when you need it. Dave Koenig, 49, has a job with good benefits. Still, he thinks some aspects of the insurance industry should be changed to protect patients from losing coverage. Employer-Based Insurance Explained | Video Profile
The ‘Underinsurance’ Problem Explained
At least 25 million Americans are underinsured – their health benefits don’t adequately cover their health costs. The major proposals being debated in Congress would require insurers to provide a minimum set of benefits, which would take care of most patients’ needs.
Not Enough Insurance And Swimming In Medical Bills
Between the two of them, Martha Martin and her husband Jim work five part-time jobs, but still can’t afford health insurance. Last year, the Martins spent 45 percent of their $44,500 income on health insurance premiums and medical bills. Part of our series “Are You Covered?” co-produced with NPR.
It’s Time For A Chronic Health Care Bailout
To get to universal coverage in a fiscally sound way, we need to come up with a “chronic care bailout” plan. The way to do this is through health payment reform.
Baucus Bill Doesn’t Bend Cost Curve Enough, Experts Say
Some analysts are praising Sen. Max Baucus’ health overhaul as a good start on a tough task but they worry that key provisions will be weakened during debate.
For Some Families, ‘Cadillac’ Health Insurance Is Priceless
For two families, “gold-plated” health insurance has made a huge difference in the health care they receive. But it’s not always the rich who get these benefits, and they worry about what a possible tax on plans would do to their health coverage.
Chasm In Congress Over How Much Individuals Should Pay For Health Care
One of the central issues in the health reform debate is how much Americans should be expected to spend on insurance before getting help from the government.
Workers Face Higher Costs for Employer-Sponsored Insurance
Employers are passing on more of the expense of rising health insurance costs to their workers through higher deductibles and co-payments, according to new survey.
Poll Finds Most Doctors Support Public Option
In the heated, political back-and-forth of the health care debate, doctors’ voices aren’t always heard. A new, comprehensive nationwide survey finds that 73 percent of doctors support the inclusion of a public option.
