Latest KFF Health News Stories
To Be Effective, Exchanges Need Bargaining Power
Exchange design doesn’t get the attention of controversies like the public option, abortion, or supposed death panels. In the long run, though, it could be far more decisive in whether reform works.
Uninsured By Choice: A ‘Calculated Risk’
Lyn Robinson owns Zenith Holland Gardens, a wholesale plant nursery. She chooses not to buy insurance and says she likes deciding where and when to spend her medical dollars. Part of our series “Are You Covered?” co-produced with NPR.
Fifty-two year old Lyn Robinson says she works out, takes good care of herself and doesn’t think she needs to buy health insurance.
Employer Provided Private Insurance Video: Dave Koenig
Dave Koenig gets private insurance through his employer and couldn’t be happier. As a conservative, he thinks private health care is the way to go, but he supports some changes to the insurance industry to protect patients from losing their coverage.
Employer-Based Insurance Explained
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine employer-sponsored health insurance.
Holding Onto Health Insurance That Works
For some Americans, insurance is what it’s supposed to be: coverage when you need it. Dave Koenig, 49, has a job with good benefits. Still, he thinks some aspects of the insurance industry should be changed to protect patients from losing coverage. Employer-Based Insurance Explained | Video Profile
The ‘Underinsurance’ Problem Explained
At least 25 million Americans are underinsured – their health benefits don’t adequately cover their health costs. The major proposals being debated in Congress would require insurers to provide a minimum set of benefits, which would take care of most patients’ needs.
Not Enough Insurance And Swimming In Medical Bills
Between the two of them, Martha Martin and her husband Jim work five part-time jobs, but still can’t afford health insurance. Last year, the Martins spent 45 percent of their $44,500 income on health insurance premiums and medical bills. Part of our series “Are You Covered?” co-produced with NPR.
U.S. Doesn’t Always Trump Other Countries In Quality Of Health Care
A study comparing U.S. treatment outcomes and other indicators among 30 developed nations found “no hard evidence” that American system stands out.
‘Cadillac Plan’ Video: The Stabbe Family
Mitch Stabbe and Marjorie Goldman treasure their “Cadillac” plan health insurance, even though it costs more than $20,000 in premiums per year. Their son, Bryan, has Crohn’s disease, which means very expensive treatments. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
‘Cadillac Plan’ Video: Rusty and Deb Lovell
Deb and Rusty Lovell are not the kind of people you would expect to have “gold-plated” health insurance. Deb works at a community college and earns a little over $30,000 a year. But the health benefits she gets from the New Hampshire government have made a huge difference in their lives. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
For Some Families, ‘Cadillac’ Health Insurance Is Priceless
For two families, “gold-plated” health insurance has made a huge difference in the health care they receive. But it’s not always the rich who get these benefits, and they worry about what a possible tax on plans would do to their health coverage.
For Federal Workers, Insurance Plan Offers Many Choices
As part of our series co-produced with NPR, Are You Covered? A look at Americans and Health Insurance, today we profile Rhonda Dorsey and her daughter Toni, 13, who feel lucky to have health care coverage that helps to pay for Toni’s diabetes medicine.
Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Explained
As part of our series, “Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance,” KHN and NPR examine the federal health benefits program, which is considered a model for the nation.
Public Option? Arizona Has Had One For Years
As the debate continues on what might happen if the government enacts a public health care option, Arizona’s experience may serve as a touchstone. The state has offered small businesses a public option since 1985 – and it has gotten mixed reviews. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Some Insurers Trade In Jargon For Plain English
A number of insurers are replacing jargon with plain English. Aetna has published a book called “Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies.” CIGNA employees are taught, for example, that they should use “doctor” instead of “provider” in communicating with the public.
Confusing Insurance Jargon Prompts Call For Reform
Insurers sometimes make it difficult for consumers to understand and use their benefits. One U.S. senator has drafted legislation to hold insurers to higher standards, but the industry is already moving to make changes.
Economists Debate ‘Public Option’ On Health Care
The idea of creating a government-run health care plan to compete with regular insurance companies has received mixed grades among economists. The debate is over whether the plan would eliminate waste in the system as advertised.
Workers Face Higher Costs for Employer-Sponsored Insurance
Employers are passing on more of the expense of rising health insurance costs to their workers through higher deductibles and co-payments, according to new survey.
New rules being debated by Congress could mean consumers couldn’t be rejected because they have health problems and would include subsidies for lower-income people to buy insurance. But the rules won’t solve all the problems faced by those who don’t get insurance through their jobs.
