Latest KFF Health News Stories
Recession Doesn’t Keep Some States From Expanding Health Coverage
Despite the economic downturn that’s busting budgets, 26 states this year made it easier for low-income children, parents or pregnant women to get health coverage.
New Survey: ‘Cadillac Tax’ Would Force Employers To Trim Health Insurance Costs
Two-thirds of employers would raise deductibles, change insurers or scale back coverage to avoid the so-called Cadillac tax on high-cost benefits proposed in the Senate Democrats’ health care bill, a survey to be released Thursday by consulting firm Mercer says.
Health Reform’s Impact on Premiums: Winners, Losers And, For Many, A Question Mark
If a Democratic health bill passes,certain individuals and small businesses initially would pay more for insurance, while others would pay less, experts predict. But the long-term outlook is less clear.
For Public, Affordability A Key Issue In Health Bill
The debate in Washington over how much the health care overhaul bills will cost has largely centered on the bottom line for the federal government. But polls repeatedly show Americans are much more concerned about how a reshaped health care system will affect their own family’s financial situation.
Poll: Public Most Concerned With Bread-And-Butter Issues In Health Reform Debate
A poll “shows little movement in measures of public opinion” on health reform. About one-third like the current Democratic bills, another third want reform, but not what Democratic lawmakers have in mind and one-quarter think Congress should not spend time on the issue now.
A Consumers’ Guide To The Health Reform Bills
The Senate and House health bills differ in important ways. We ask and answer questions consumers might have about the bills.
Analysis: Public Option Might Play Only Minor Role In Changing Health Care
Despite all the controversy, a new Congressional Budget Office estimate indicates that relatively few people would be helped by a public health insurance plan. Any “opt-out” provision means at least some states are likely to bar a government-backed plan within their borders.
Finance Bill’s Fine Print May Cause Sticker Shock For Some Consumers
Legislation seeks to limit the amount low-and middle-income people will pay for health insurance. But a shift in the way their share of the premium is calculated in the second year of the program may make it more expensive.
Health Care Pools: Let Youth Jump, Or Push Them?
In drafting national standards on how health insurers should be able to use age to set premium rates, congressional committees agree that older people should pay more. But they differ widely on just how much. Ultimately, it comes down to how many young adults get into the pool.
End Of COBRA Subsidy Rattles Newly Unemployed
As part of the economic stimulus, the government offered subsidies so laid-off workers could keep their health insurance. For some, the subsidies are running out.
Fight Erupts Over Health Insurance Rates For Businesses With More Women
Advocates for women are fighting to end gender rating in larger businesses as health overhaul legislation moves through Congress. But insurers say it’s necessary to use gender as a means of setting rates for this market.
Democrats Push To End Insurers’ Antitrust Exemption
The relationship between the Democrats and health insurers has turned ugly since the industry began to spurn the health care makeover it once supported. Now, some members of Congress Democrats want to strip the industry’s exemption from federal antitrust laws.
How Health Reform Bills Would – And Wouldn’t – Affect Illegal Immigrants
This brief explainer examines the number of uninsured illegal immigrants, where they go for health services and how they would fare if current health reform proposals pass.
Children’s Dental Health, By The Numbers
A list of some vital statistics about children’s oral health and dental insurance.
Domestic Abuse Victims Struggle with Another Blow: Difficulty Getting Health Insurance
While many states bar carriers from rejecting people who receive treatment for domestic violence, others permit it. Now there’s a move to prohibit the practice as part of a health care overhaul.
Buying Insurance On The Individual Market
Freelance writer Cindy Richards buys insurance on the ‘individual market’ – from a broker – to cover herself and her son and daughter. Her husband had to buy a policy separately. Between them, they pay $500 a month in premium costs and have a yearly deductible of over $10,000. She believes it’s “too difficult” to get health insurance in America.
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine how a health overhaul would affect the individual insurance market.
On Their Own, Self-Employed Search For Health Care
Cindy Richards and her husband Scott Fisher at their home in Oak Park, Ill. Richards is a freelance writer and editor who buys health insurance to cover herself and her family.
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine how a health overhaul would affect Medicaid recipients.
For One Senior, Medicaid Provides Model Care
When Gracie Scarrow, 94, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure she didn’t have the money to pay for the care she needed. With her daughter Lela’s help, Gracie turned to Medicaid. The program pays for her nursing home, and they couldn’t be happier with the care.
