Insurance

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Alternatives To Mandating Insurance? Maybe

KFF Health News Original

Some experts are proposing alternatives to mandating that nearly all Americans purchase health insurance – a requirement in the health law – including offering discounts for early buyers and instituting eligibility periods to use subsidies.

President Obama On Health Law: ‘Let’s Fix What Needs Fixing And Move Forward’

KFF Health News Original

In his State of the Union message, the president also said he’s “not willing … to go back to the days when insurance companies could deny someone coverage because of a pre-existing condition.”

FAQ: Selling Health Insurance Across State Lines

KFF Health News Original

More than 60 House Republicans are sponsoring a bill to permit the sale of health insurance across state lines. Consumer advocacy groups argue such provisions would erode many state protections.

House Republicans Put Spotlight On HHS Insurance Office

KFF Health News Original

The new Republican chairmen of a powerful House committee and its investigative subcommittee want Obama administration officials to explain exactly how they’re implementing the health law.

New Scrutiny For Insurance Mandate After Repeal Vote

KFF Health News Original

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?

KFF Health News Original

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

KFF Health News Original

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.

Some States Have Options To Help Consumers Find Individual Health Coverage

KFF Health News Original

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?

KFF Health News Original

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.

The Avastin Decision: A Rational Decision Or Rationing?

KFF Health News Original

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.

Insurers Sometimes Reject Neonatal Intensive Care Costs

KFF Health News Original

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: Bara Vaida

KFF Health News Original

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.