Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Specifics: How Obama Plans To Cut Health Programs By $320 Billion
Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz reports that the biggest cut to Medicare requires pharmaceutical companies to lower the rates for low-income beneficiaries.
Some States Seeking Health Care Compact
The interstate compact, which has been adopted by four states, would replace federal programs – including Medicare and Medicaid – with block grants. It cannot be implemented without congressional approval.
Rate Of Uninsured Stays Flat In 2010, Census Reports
Young adults, Hispanics fare better but Asians worse.
Healthcare 101: Connecting Immigrant Communities To Care
For the first time the Department of Health and Human Services is trying to help eligible legal immigrants sign up for programs like Medicaid. Here’s one program.
Reaching Out To Legal Immigrants Who Need Health Care
For the first time the Department of Health and Human Services is trying to help eligible legal immigrants sign up for programs like Medicaid, sometimes by going to health fairs in immigrant neighborhoods.
Seeking To Save Money, Calif. Ending Adult Day Health Care Program
The state has said its decision to eliminate adult day health care services as a Medi-Cal benefit — essentially shuttering ADHC centers and moving beneficiaries into managed care — is a cost-saving move. But there are questions about how much money it actually will save.
How Would Perry Reform Health Care If President?
Republican presidential candidates are often careful to not reveal during primaries how they would change health care in America, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry is no exception. But examining Perry’s legislative record gives a glimpse into just what he’d change if elected.
Danforth On Super Committee’s Task: ‘The Problem Is The Cost Of Health Care’
The Republican former senator talks with KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey about the politics of deficit-cutting commissions and what it will take to tackle the ballooning federal deficit.
SSI Program For ADHD, Other Disabled Kids Under Scrutiny
The SSI program for low-income disabled children is rapidly expanding, with the biggest increase among kids with mental, behavioral and learning disorders, including ADHD, speech delays, autism, and bipolar disorder, sparking criticism in Congress.
As Hospitals Push ERs, States’ Medicaid Budgets Pressured
With their budgets squeezed, states are trying to reduce unnecessary ER visits by patients in Medicaid. But officials complain that their efforts are sometimes hampered by hospitals’ aggressive marketing of ERs to increase admissions and profits.
Housing Bust Derails Some Seniors’ Assisted-Living Care
With the real estate market depressed, thousands of seniors are unable to move because they can’t sell their homes.
Deficit ‘Super Committee’: Sharks vs. Jets?
The Fiscal Times outlines who’s on the panel, where they stand on the issues, and the likelihood of an agreement.
FAQ: ‘Super Committee’ Could Have Big Impact On Medicare, Medicaid Spending
A guide to how the congressional “super” committee’s deliberations could influence Medicare and Medicaid.
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says the “super committee” has a chance at tamping down the nation’s debt and slowing Medicare spending growth because the American public understands the stakes – the American Dream.
Frist: ‘Super Committee’ Has ‘Shot This Time’ At Reining In Debt, Medicare Spending
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist about the “super committee’s” chance at tamping down the nation’s debt. Frist says the panel has a chance to lower the debt and Medicare spending growth because the American public understands the stakes this time – the American Dream.
Pawlenty Points To Minn. Health Law As Model For U.S.
The former governor says he “passed health care reform the right way. No mandates. No takeovers.” But critics argue that it is unclear if the law will lower costs and it does little to expand insurance coverage.
Health On The Hill Transcript: Medicaid Untouched, Medicare Spared – For Now – In Debt Deal
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks about the lack of Medicare and Medicaid cuts in the initial round of cuts tied to the debt ceiling increase, and about what sort of cuts the programs could be open to later in the year.
Health Care Recommendations From Previous Bipartisan Deficit-Reduction Groups: Document
The debt-ceiling agreement calls for a bipartisan “super committee.” This is not the first effort to find a bipartisan agreement on reducing the federal deficit; here is a guide to the health-care recommendations from four groups.
Different Takes: What’s Next For Medicare Cost Controls? Vladeck And Wilensky Offer Their Views
During the course of negotiations to raise the debt ceiling, proposals to reduce Medicare costs had an on-again, off-again presence at the table. We asked Bruce Vladeck and Gail Wilensky which of these ideas could have a positive or negative impact on the program. A ‘Pernicioius’ Idea: Proposals To Forbid First-Dollar Coverage For Medicare Beneficiaries […]
As the country has struggled to raise the debt ceiling, there have been periodic expectations that the current fiscal distress would produce the “right environment” to finally reform entitlements — particularly Medicare. This has seemed quite astounding to me, 15 months before a presidential election year, given the presence of a divided Congress and our highly charged political environment.
