Insurance

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Midterm Results Show Health Is Important To Voters But No Magic Bullet

KFF Health News Original

Even though they are taking control of the House, Democrats will be unlikely to advance many initiatives on health that don’t meet Republican approval since the GOP controls the Senate and the White House. But they can block any efforts to weaken the Affordable Care Act or change Medicaid or Medicare.

California Dreamin’? With Newsom’s Win, Single-Payer Unlikely To Follow Anytime Soon

KFF Health News Original

Even though Democrat Gavin Newsom campaigned for single-payer, it’s unlikely that he and other lawmakers will completely overhaul the state’s health care system right away. Instead, they will likely propose incremental steps to provide more Californians with health insurance.

Hello? It’s I, Robot, And Have I Got An Insurance Plan For You!

KFF Health News Original

An “epidemic” of robocalls timed to open-enrollment season are largely illegal, fraudulent or aim to rope you into insurance you don’t need or can’t use. They’re also really annoying.

The Election’s Impact On Health Care: Some Bellwether Races To Watch

KFF Health News Original

A number of health issues — from preexisting conditions to Medicaid expansion to changes to Medicare — could be at stake when voters head to the polls Tuesday.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Open Enrollment And A Midterm Preview

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Joanne Kenen of Politico discuss the start of open enrollment for individual health insurance plans for 2019 and preview what next week’s midterm elections might mean for health policy. Plus, Barbara Feder Ostrov of KHN and California Healthline talks to Julie about the latest NPR-KHN “Bill of the Month” feature.

Billions In ‘Questionable Payments’ Went To California’s Medicaid Insurers And Providers

KFF Health News Original

The money was paid on behalf of more than 400,000 people who may have been ineligible for the public program, a state audit found. One had been dead for four years before payments stopped.

In Swing Districts, Republicans May Pay For Having Tried To Reverse The Health Law

KFF Health News Original

Though Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) counts himself a moderate, many of his voters heading to the polls are furious about how he aided his party’s efforts to dismantle Obamacare.

With One Hand, Administration Boosts ACA Marketplaces, Weakens Them With Another

KFF Health News Original

The Trump administration gives states more flexibility to get around the health law’s requirements for insurance plans. But at the same time it wants employers to move millions of workers to the insurance exchanges.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Trump, GOP Fight Back On Health Care

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner and Alice Ollstein of Politico discuss a flurry of proposals from the Trump administration on prices Medicare pays for drugs and the Affordable Care Act.

Gavin Newsom Is Bullish On Single-Payer — Except When He’s Not

KFF Health News Original

The front-runner in the California governor’s race, known for his political audacity, has officially endorsed the controversial move to create one public insurance program for all Californians. Yet he also faces formidable challenges, and liberal critics fear he’ll retreat.

Marketplace Subsidies May Be Option In 2020 For Plans That Skirt Obamacare

KFF Health News Original

The new guidance allows states to ask for waivers from provisions in the Affordable Care Act governing not only subsidies, but also the benefits insurers must offer in all their plans.