Latest KFF Health News Stories
Committed to Randol: One Family’s Long-Term Care Journey
As a child, Randol Brock had a high fever that caused brain damage. Now 52, there are two things Randol loves more than anything else: tractors and his sister-in-law Doris, who helps take care of him.
Local California Republicans Quietly Embrace Medicaid Expansion
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the No. 3 Republican in the House, has made it clear that he wants President Obama’s health overhaul law repealed. But conservative lawmakers in his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif., and elsewhere in the state are expanding insurance coverage for low-income adults.
Super Committee Urged To Alter Coverage For Some Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries
State Medicaid directors and health insurers press panel to move people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid into private health plans for more efficient care.
Interest Group Wish List: A Window Into The Challenge For The Super Committee
To help give a sense of the enormity of the pressure faced by panel members, KHN has examined just one of many areas the committee must consider. Here is a sampling of the advice and requests from health care interests.
Helping Low-Income Veterans Maintain The Best Possible Quality Of Life
The Veterans’ Affairs Aid and Attendance program can help wartime veterans remain at home or assist them in paying for long-term care. A large number of veterans across the country who qualify for this aid, however, somehow are slipping through the cracks. A Washington state pilot program is correcting this problem.
How PARIS Is Helping Veterans In Need
In Washington state, the Public Assistance Reporting Information System — PARIS — has proven to be an important tool in efforts to identify eligible veterans and connect them with the benefits they earned while serving their country.
Children’s Health Program Opened To Low-Income State Employees
At least six states are taking advantage of a change mandated by the 2010 health law to allow their low-income workers to enroll kids in the Children’s Health Insurance Programs.
Simpson, Bowles Blast Health Care Spending
Former Sen. Alan Simpson and former Clinton White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles both zeroed in on health care costs and the deficit during testimony before the super committee on Tuesday.
Health On The Hill: Budget Experts Warn Super Committee About Consequences Of Failure
Jackie Judd talks with KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey about the super committee’s public hearing Tuesday when it heard from the leaders of previous deficit reduction groups.
States Are Limiting Medicaid Hospital Coverage In Search For Savings
Hospitals say the burden of cost-cutting falls on them because they’ll be stuck with the bill for care if Medicaid refuses to pay.
Super Committee Health Goals Need Sound Policy
If the super committee is to reach its goal of finding an estimated $1.2 trillion in savings over the next decade, this panel will have to think big and produce recommendations with real substance — especially in regard to the health care component.
Health policy analysts are at risk of neglecting the issue that will more profoundly influence health policy than all of those now absorbing their attention: whether tax increases form a major part of any program to curb future federal budget deficits.
Different Takes: Advice For The Super Committee
KHN asked Henry J. Aaron of The Brookings Institution, Nina Owcharenko from The Heritage Foundation and Third Way’s David Kendall what they view as the most substantive issue or challenge facing the super committee and what advice they might offer to tackle it. Read their perspectives.
Health Care: Super Power For The Super Committee
Health care costs are typically kryptonite in budget talks, but this time they are also the common enemy to both Democrats and Republicans. But both will have to give in order to reach a successful deal.
Administration Scales Back Expansion Of Community Health Centers
Health centers fear they won’t be able to expand fast enough to meet the growing demand from the current uninsured and the influx of people to Medicaid in 2014.
HCA May Face Big Revenue Hit If Feds Approve Texas Medicaid Plan
Hospital Corporation of America receives hundreds of millions of dollars in supplemental Medicaid money to help cover the poor and uninsured, but Texas officials suggest HCA may be benefiting the most.
In New Term, Supreme Court To Tackle Divisive Issues
The Supreme Court starts its new term Monday. Among the issues slated to be decided are if doctors, hospitals and patients can challenge state-enacted reductions in Medicaid payments.
Perry’s Medicaid Plan Secret: Dems Like It
Texas is quietly revamping the health safety net for the poor in a way some Dems can get behind.
Demise Of Pa. Plan For Low-Income Adults Leaves Many Uninsured
Six months after the state ended the adultBasic health coverage, only about 40 percent of the enrollees went to Medicaid or a limited benefit plan opened to them.
President Obama Proposes Cuts To Health Care Spending To Lower Deficit
President Barack Obama on Monday proposed a series of cost savings in health care programs including to Medicare and Medicaid to reduce the deficit. The proposals include paying doctors for health care outcomes instead of on a “fee-for-service” basis, and Obama also rejected the notion turning Medicare into a “voucher” system.
