Cost and Quality

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Lawmakers Push To Stop Surprise ER Billing

KFF Health News Original

Millions of Californians are vulnerable to hefty surprise medical bills from their trips to the emergency room. Now, state lawmakers are considering a measure to cap how much out-of-network hospitals can charge privately insured patients for emergency care, which could serve as a model for other states.

UCSF Medical Center Backs Off Plan To Deepen Ties With Dignity Health

KFF Health News Original

The University of California’s flagship San Francisco hospital system cut off negotiations with the Catholic-run health care system in the face of heated opposition from UCSF faculty and staff.

Sen. Alexander Releases Bipartisan Plan To Lower Health Costs, End Surprise Bills

KFF Health News Original

The Republican’s legislation, prepared with Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on Alexander’s health committee, would be an ambitious lift because it also deals with prescription drug patents, health transparency and vaccine messaging.

Coming Soon: ‘An Arm And A Leg’ Season Two

KFF Health News Original

Health care — and how much it costs — is scary. But you’re not alone with this stuff, and knowledge is power. “An Arm and a Leg” is a podcast about all these issues, and its second season, co-produced by Kaiser Health News, starts on June 4.