Healthcare Costs Archives - Page 86 of 99

KHN’s ‘What The Health’: Who Will Pay To Fix Problem Of Surprise Medical Bills?

Lawmakers and patients want to eliminate “surprise” out-of-network medical bills. Hospitals, doctors and insurers say they want to eliminate them, too, but their opposition to one another’s proposals could complicate legislative efforts. Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this, plus the latest in news about reproductive health and health care sharing ministries.

June 13, 2019

Bill of the Month Podcast

‘An Arm And A Leg’: Forget The Shakedown. To Get Paid, Hospitals Get Creative.

An unexpected hospital bill can bust the family budget. That leaves lots of people with bills they can’t pay. Turns out, that’s a crisis for hospitals too, and some are getting creative about collecting debt.

By Dan Weissmann

June 12, 2019

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don't have to.

By Brianna Labuskes

June 7, 2019

Bill of the Month Podcast

‘An Arm And A Leg’: Expecting A Baby And Unexpectedly Dropped By Insurer

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 these issues, and its second season is co-produced by KHN.

By Dan Weissmann

June 4, 2019

California Gov. Newsom Proposes Penalty To Fund Health Insurance Subsidies

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to help an estimated 850,000 Californians pay their health insurance premiums and would fund his plan with a tax penalty on people who don’t have coverage. If he succeeds, California would be the first state to subsidize middle-income people who make too much to qualify for federal financial aid.

By Samantha Young and Ana B. Ibarra

June 4, 2019

Watch: A Status Update On Efforts To Address Surprise Medical Bills

KHN correspondent Rachel Bluth appeared on "PBS NewsHour Weekend" to talk with host Megan Thompson about the continuing problem of surprise medical bills and how the issue is playing on Capitol Hill.

June 3, 2019

Churches Wipe Out Millions In Medical Debt For Others

In a mission of forgiveness, churches around the country are buying up medical debt for pennies on the dollar then erasing the debts of strangers. Since the start of 2018, at least 18 churches nationwide have abolished more than $34 million burdening America’s most debt-ridden patients.

By Roxie Hammill

June 3, 2019

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don't have to.

By Brianna Labuskes

May 31, 2019

Mired In Medical Debt? Federal Plan Would Update Overdue-Bill Collection Methods

More than half of Americans contacted about an overdue bill said it related to medical debt. A federal agency has proposed new guidance for what debt collectors are allowed to do when pursuing many types of overdue consumer bills, including medical debt. But some consumer advocates have panned the effort.

By Michelle Andrews

May 31, 2019

Hospitals Accused Of Paying Doctors Large Kickbacks In Quest For Patients

Hospitals are eager to get particular specialists on staff because they bring in business that can be highly profitable. But those efforts, if they involve unusually high salaries or other enticements, can violate federal anti-kickback laws.

By Jordan Rau

May 31, 2019

Bill of the Month

Not Funny: Midwife Slapped With $4,836 Bill For Laughing Gas During Her Labor

As nitrous oxide makes a comeback for pain relief during childbirth, one medical professional fights back over an overblown charge for using it.

By Lauren Weber

May 29, 2019

Lawmakers Push To Stop Surprise ER Billing

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.

By Ana B. Ibarra

May 29, 2019

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don't have to.

By Brianna Labuskes

May 24, 2019

Analysis: A Health Care Overhaul Could Kill 2 Million Jobs, And That’s OK

Reform has a cost. But the point of a health care system is to treat patients, not to buttress the economy.

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

May 24, 2019

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Is ‘Medicare For All’ Losing Steam?

Joanne Kenen of Politico, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the latest Democratic efforts to push “Medicare for All” in the U.S. House. They also review new initiatives to raise the federal minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 and new lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s actions on reproductive health. Also, for extra credit, the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

May 23, 2019

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

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.

By Rachel Bluth

May 23, 2019

Bill of the Month Podcast

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

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.

By Dan Weissmann

May 23, 2019

Postcard From Capitol Hill

House Hagglers Zero In On Single-Payer And It All Comes Down To Two Little Words

At Wednesday’s House Budget Committee, Congressional Budget Office experts outlined the complexities of implementing an overhaul of America’s health insurance system.

By Shefali Luthra

May 22, 2019

Are Surprises Ahead For Legislation To Curb Surprise Medical Bills?

This high-profile issue has gained bipartisan attention, but it remains unclear if that’s enough to move it to the finish line. Here’s a review of the current state of play.

By Rachel Bluth

May 22, 2019

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don't have to.

By Brianna Labuskes

May 17, 2019

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