Latest Morning Briefing Stories

The Health Law And The Supreme Court: A Primer For The Oral Arguments

KFF Health News Original

The fate of the health law is at the center of the most-anticipated arguments in more than than a generation. Here are key points to keep in mind while watching the action.

Free Health Clinics At A Crossroads

KFF Health News Original

Free health clinics have long been places people turn to when they don’t have health insurance or any money to pay for care. But the health law’s expansion of coverage puts free clinics in uncharted territory.

Two (Very Different) Miami Hospitals Prepare For Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion

KFF Health News Original

Even as Florida leads the Supreme Court challenge against the health law, a private and a public hospital are anticipating an influx of new patients who will be covered by Medicaid if the law stands.

New Ryan Budget Would Transform Medicare And Medicaid

KFF Health News Original

KHN’s Marilyn Werber Serafini details how the Wisconsin Republican’s proposal places greater limits on federal spending for Medicare than last year’s blueprint.

A Tale Of Two Health Insurance Extremes

KFF Health News Original

Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents — 25 percent — while Massachusetts’ is the lowest — less than 2 percent. We profile two people who are living the reality of that difference.

Farzad Mostashari: Man On A Digital Mission

KFF Health News Original

An eBay merchant who sells funny barbecue aprons out of his living room is better equipped to send information electronically than many physicians. Farzad Mostashari is the guy trying to change that.

GOP Presidential Hopefuls: Where They Stand On Health Care

KFF Health News Original

An interactive chart shows where eight of the current and former candidates – Gingrich, Paul, Romney, Santorum, Bachmann, Cain, Huntsman and Perry – stand on major health care issues.

Health On The Hill: Congressional Leaders Reach Deal On 10-Month ‘Doc Fix’

KFF Health News Original

KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about the agreement Senate and House negotiators reached today on the “doc fix,” which avoids a cut in Medicare physician payment rates for the rest of the year.

The Public Option Did Not Die

KFF Health News Original

Unique in the nation for having public health insurance plans that are run by counties, California has public plans that stretch from San Francisco to the Mexican border and cover 2.5 million people.

Case-by-Case, California Examines Adult Day Care

KFF Health News Original

Martha Norris, 62, depends on Napa Valley Adult Day Services in Napa, Calif. The program and others like it throughout the state have narrowly escaped elimination due to state budget cuts.

Senior Correspondent Phil Galewitz Discusses What 2012 Will Hold For Health Care

KFF Health News Original

KHN reporters preview some of the big issues coming this year: KHN Senior Correspondent Phil Galewitz says he’ll be following health care in the states, Medicaid and how the Supreme Court will rule on the health law.

Web Reporter Sarah Barr Discusses What 2012 Will Hold For Health Care

KFF Health News Original

KHN reporters preview some of the big issues coming this year: KHN Web Reporter Sarah Barr discusses what waivers states could seek to change Medicare in their states.

Administration Ties Medicaid Managed Care Expansion To Performance

KFF Health News Original

The managed care industry’s growing role in Medicaid got a boost Monday when the Obama administration approved Texas’ plan to shift one million additional recipients into private health plans by 2013.