Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Scrutiny For Insurance Mandate After Repeal Vote
Republicans are eager to repeal the requirement in the health care law. Public support for the mandate is shaky, and even some Democrats have signaled a willingness to look at alternatives. Some – but not all – health policy experts say the mandate is essential. KHN interviewed several to get their views.
Insurer and Hospital System: Why Can’t We Be Friends?
In North Carolina’s Research Triangle, two forces so often at odds — a major health care system and the region’s dominant insurer — announced that they would work together in the interest of better, cheaper medicine.
A New ‘Definition’ For Health Care Reform
Pursuing health reforms that transform current health insurance arrangements into aproaches based on defined contributions will set in motion a competitive dynamic from which all Americans would benefit.
Obama Administration’s Balancing Act: Health Insurance Benefits Vs. Costs
Advocacy groups are lobbying as government advisory panel tackles key question: What benefits must insurers cover?
Some States Have Options To Help Consumers Find Individual Health Coverage
For people who can’t get insurance through work, finding a plan is often difficult. In addition to the high-risk pools that have recently generated a lot of attention, other options may be available, depending on which state a consumer lives in.
Can We Stop Calling Them ‘Consumer Protections’ Now?
These supposed “consumer protections” are hurting millions of Americans by increasing the cost of insurance and the cost of hiring, as well as driving insurers out of business. They should be called what they really are: regulations that can hurt even more than they help.
Insurers Clash With Hospitals And Doctors Over ACO Rules
Powerful interests that are supposed to create and run the health law’s new accountable care organizations are fighting over what the rules governing ACOs should say.
The Avastin Decision: A Rational Decision Or Rationing?
Sometimes the noisiest voices in the health overhaul debate don’t make a good faith effort to acknowledge important scientific or policy-oriented nuances in their arguments. It’s happening again in the wake of a controversial regulatory ruling about a cancer drug.
Improving The Health Law In 2011: Realistic Ways To Reach Bipartisan Compromise
There are ways for Democrats and Republicans to agree to improve the new health care law in 2011.
Insurers Sometimes Reject Neonatal Intensive Care Costs
In these specialized units for premature infants or babies with special needs, the doctors and other personnel may not be under contract with an insurer’s network even though the hospital is covered.
Health Care Battles To Surge Anew In 2011: Jessica Marcy
KHN reporters preview some of the big issues coming this year: KHN reporter Jessica Marcy says concerns continue about consumers’ access to care.
Health Care Battles To Surge Anew In 2011: Bara Vaida
KHN reporters preview some of the big issues coming this year: KHN contributing writer Bara Vaida says the relationship between five major insurance companies and their trade group will be interesting to watch.
Nine Ways The New Health Law May Affect You in 2011
In 2011 many new provisions of the health law kick in, providing benefits for many and potential new costs for some others.
Long-Term Care: Another Tough Subject For The Next Round Of Reform
Democrats and Republicans may spend the next two years fighting about what to jettison or retain in the new health law. If these battles are resolved, we’ll be back to address another looming challenge: long-term care. It’s best that this happen sooner rather than later.
Insuring Your Health: Looking At The Changes 2011 Brings
Michelle Andrews speaks with KFF’s Jackie Judd about changes in lifetime insurance limits, keeping children insured, the new high-risk pools, rising health costs and consumers’ misperceptions about the overhaul.
Video: Q&A with Michelle Andrews: Seeking Health Coverage When Traditional Coverage Is Out Of Reach
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a consumer about options for seeking health coverage when cost and other considerations put most other coverage out of reach.
Video: Q&A with Michelle Andrews: Preventive Health
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a consumer about why health plans are not touting more preventive health care to save on costs in the system. But, as Andrews details, new plans are going to have to provide many different sorts of preventive health services for free.
Video: Q&A with Michelle Andrews: Options To Get Health Coverage On Your Own
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a consumer about what to consider when looking to buy a health insurance plan.
New Rules Would Require Insurers To Justify Double-Digit Rate Increases
The Obama administration’s proposed rule would require health insurers to explain in detail any rate increase of 10 percent or more in 2011.
Some Policies Restrict Coverage By Limiting Visits To The Doctor
The new health law eliminated lifetime and most annual dollar limits for consumers but some plans cut costs by covering only a defined number of doctor appointments, prescriptions or other services.
