Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Risks And Rewards Of Taxing Health Benefits
Taxing employee health benefits might fund a health care overhaul, but could sink its political chances.
How Congress Might Tax Your Health Benefits
Lawmakers are considering varied approaches to taxing employer-provided health insurance as a means of paying for an overhaul of the health system, Kaiser Health News reports. Proposals include taxing benefits above a certain premium amount, taxing the benefits only of high-income earners, or combining both approaches.
Washington State Takes a Hard Look at New Treatments and Tests
A Washington state program decides whether to cover new treatments and tests by comparing them with the standard alternatives. If there’s no real difference, a panel of medical professionals can pick the least expensive. Decisions are binding for employees insured by the state, workers’ compensation claimants and patients in Medicaid, the state-federal program for the poor.
Some Doctors Cut Deals With Struggling Patients
Doctors across the country are reducing their charges and offering payment plans to patients who have lost health insurance or income. This helps people stay well, but it also helps doctors maintain their practices at a time when many financially struggling Americans are deferring care. Patients who don’t pay their bills still run the risk of hearing from bill collectors.
Why Higher Taxes Will Improve Your Health
Already, you can hear the opponents of health care reform making a familiar argument: It will mean huge new taxes. Although they’re exaggerating–the tax hikes wouldn’t be “huge”–you should be willing to pay these new taxes. Happily.
Family Budgets and Health Care: One Couple’s Story
Sixty-year-old Ron Gaston was a shipping and receiving clerk in Wichita, Kansas, who earned about $30,000 a year.
This documentary explores the severe challenges cancer patients can face in paying for their health care even when they have private health insurance.
NJ Hospital Fight Foreshadows Health Reform Challenges
A battle over whether to build a new hospital in northeastern New Jersey illustrates the formidable obstacles confronting President Obama and Congress as they try to mine savings from the $2.5 trillion health care system.
Message From Massachusetts: Insurance Requirement Can Provoke Anger
If Congress wants all Americans to get health insurance, it will have to win over people like Gary Cloutier, owner of Cloots Auto Body Shop in Westfield, Mass. He says he just can’t afford it.
New College Grads Scramble For Insurance In Faltering Economy
Young adults who are ousted from their parents’ health plans are among the largest and fastest-growing groups of uninsured.
Paying for COBRA, Waiting for Discount
Some people who qualify for the economic stimulus package’s COBRA subsidies are still waiting for the “lifeline.” Reporter Rick Schmitt, who was laid off in November, writes about the hurdles he has experienced while trying to get the subsidy.
People young and old crowd the hallway outside the locked door of the Arlington Free Clinic. They grip small pieces of paper that will determine whether they get in — or give up and go home.
Americans Ensnared By Medical Debt
The rising costs of care and a failing economy drive more Americans into medical debt.
Bankrupted by nearly $100,000 in medical debt, the Eaker’s are now barred from a large clinic.
Salary: $52,000. Debt: $55,000
One woman’s medical bills and debt from an emergency hospitalization exceed her annual salary.
The Single Mother and Bad Credit
For single mom, credit card was no panacea for an Orthodontist’s Bill.
Jim and Jackie Eyler, of Westminster, Md., are employed, insured and unable to pay down a $10,000 credit card balance.
The Clifford’s struggle to pay for treatment of their serious medical problems.
