Medicare Archives - Page 12 of 80

Alabama Court Rules Embryos Are Children. What Now?

Episode 335

Feb. 22, 2024

In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the Alabama Supreme Court has determined that embryos created for in vitro fertilization procedures are legally people. The decision has touched off massive confusion about potential ramifications, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham has paused its IVF program. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to endorse a national 16-week abortion ban, while his former administration officials are planning further reproductive health restrictions for a possible second term. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too.

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Patients See First Savings From Biden’s Drug Price Push, as Pharma Lines Up Its Lawyers

A restructuring of the Medicare drug benefit has wiped out big drug bills for people who need expensive medicines. But the legal battle over drug negotiations means uncertainty over long-term savings.

By Arthur Allen

Feb. 16, 2024

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Biden Wins Early Court Test for Medicare Drug Negotiations

Episode 334

Feb. 15, 2024

A federal district court judge dismissed a lawsuit attempting to invalidate the Biden administration’s Medicare prescription-drug price negotiation program. But the suit turned on a technicality, and several more court challenges are in the pipeline. Meanwhile, health policy pops up in Super Bowl ads, as Congress approaches yet another funding deadline. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.

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A photo of the exterior of the U.S. Capitol building.

In Fight Over Medicare Payments, the Hospital Lobby Shows Its Strength

Medicare pays hospitals about double what it pays other providers for the same services. The hospital lobby is fighting hard to make sure a switch to "site-neutral payments” doesn't become law.

By Phil Galewitz and Colleen DeGuzman

Feb. 13, 2024

What the Health? From KFF Health News

The Struggle Over Who Gets the Last Word

Episode 332

Feb. 1, 2024

As science skepticism pervades politics, the Supreme Court will soon consider two cases that seek to define the power of “experts.” Meanwhile, abortion opponents are laying out plans for how Donald Trump, if reelected as president, could effectively curtail abortion even in states where it remains legal. Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Samantha Liss, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature about a husband and wife who got billed for preventive care that should have been fully covered.

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Primary Care Disrupted

Where Are the Nation’s Primary Care Providers? It’s Not an Easy Answer

Politicians keep talking about fixing primary care shortages. But flawed national data leaves big holes in how to evaluate which policies are effective.

By Rae Ellen Bichell

Jan. 30, 2024

Letters to the Editor

Readers Weigh Downsides of Medicare Advantage and Stick Up for Mary Lou Retton

KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.

Jan. 29, 2024

A photo of voters waiting in line to cast ballots indoors.

Postcard From New Hampshire

With Trump Front of Mind, New Hampshire Voters Cite Abortion and Obamacare as Concerns

New Hampshire’s primary election was dominated by voters’ feelings about Donald Trump. But health care remains a concern — and for Democrats, preserving abortion access is a priority.

By Phil Galewitz

Jan. 24, 2024

The Health 202

Medicare Advantage Is Popular, but Some Beneficiaries Feel Buyer’s Remorse

By Sarah Jane Tribble

Jan. 23, 2024

A thumbnail from a video of an analog TV with text over it that reads, "Older Americans Feel Stuck in Medicare Advantage Plans."

Watch: Older Americans Say They Feel Stuck in Medicare Advantage Plans

You’ve probably seen advertising about Medicare Advantage plans. KFF Health News' Sarah Jane Tribble explains the pros and cons of this insurance option as enrollment in these plans increases.

By Sarah Jane Tribble

Jan. 22, 2024

A photo of Former President Donald Trump standing at a microphone with an American flag in the background behind him.

What Would a Second Trump Presidency Look Like for Health Care?

Health policy during Donald Trump’s tenure was dominated by covid-19 and a failed effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. His appointments to the Supreme Court led to the end of national abortion rights, and he took steps to increase hospital price transparency and improve care for veterans.

By Julie Rovner

Jan. 16, 2024

What the Health? From KFF Health News

All About the (Government) Funding

Episode 329

Jan. 11, 2024

With days to go until a large chunk of the federal government runs out of money needed to keep it operating, Congress is still struggling to find a compromise spending plan. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court agreed to hear — this year — a case that pits federal requirements for emergency treatment against state abortion bans. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Tami Luhby of CNN join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews American Medical Association President Jesse Ehrenfeld about the choppy waters facing the nation’s physicians in 2024.

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Two photos are shown side by side: The left is of Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley debating on CNN. The photo on the right is of Donald Trump at a Fox News town hall event.

KFF HEALTH NEWS & POLITIFACT HEALTHCHECK

In a Fractious Rerun, GOP Rivals Haley and DeSantis Debate Health Care. Trump Sits It Out.

The fifth debate of the 2024 GOP presidential primary season took place days before Iowa Republicans will caucus to determine their pick for the top of the party’s ticket. The front-runner, former President Donald Trump, once again did not participate.

By KFF Health News and PolitiFact staffs

Jan. 11, 2024

The Health 202

The AMA Wants a Medicare Cut Reversed – And Lawmakers To Stay Out of Care

By Julie Rovner

Jan. 11, 2024

A photo of an older man sorting medicine into a weekly pill organizer.

Deadly Denials

Older Americans Say They Feel Trapped in Medicare Advantage Plans

As enrollment in private Medicare Advantage plans grows, so do concerns about how well the insurance works, including from those who say they have become trapped in the private plans as their health declines.

By Sarah Jane Tribble

Jan. 5, 2024

What the Health? From KFF Health News

2023 Is a Wrap

Episode 327

Dec. 21, 2023

2023 was another busy year in health care. As the covid-19 pandemic waned, policymakers looked anew at long-standing obstacles to obtaining and paying for care in the nation’s health care system. Meanwhile, abortion has continued to be an issue in much of the nation, as states respond to the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning the constitutional right to the procedure. This week, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and wrap up the year in health. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Jordan Rau about his joint KFF Health News-New York Times series “Dying Broke.”

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What the Health? From KFF Health News

Democrats See Opportunity in GOP Threats to Repeal Health Law

Episode 325

Dec. 7, 2023

Sensing that Republicans are walking into a political minefield by threatening once again to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Biden administration is looking to capitalize by rolling out a series of initiatives aimed at high drug prices and other consequences of “corporate greed in health care.” Meanwhile, the Supreme Court hears a case that could determine when and how much victims of the opioid crisis can collect from Purdue Pharma, the drug company that lied about how addictive its drug, OxyContin, really was. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Dan Weissmann of KFF Health News’ sister podcast, “An Arm and a Leg,” about his investigation into hospitals suing their patients over unpaid bills.

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A medicare card is layered over a U.S. $100-dollar-bill.

Dodging the Medicare Enrollment Deadline Can Be Costly

As open enrollment ends, many people are tuning out. They could wind up with a surprise next year: higher costs and less access to health care providers.

By Susan Jaffe

Dec. 7, 2023

A photo of a caretaker aiding an elderly woman.

Dying Broke: A KFF Health News-New York Times Project

Desperate Families Search for Affordable Home Care

Facing a severe shortage of aides and high costs, people trying to keep aging loved ones at home often cobble together a patchwork of family and friends to help.

By Reed Abelson, The New York Times

Dec. 4, 2023

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Trump Puts Obamacare Repeal Back on Agenda

Episode 324

Nov. 30, 2023

Although Republicans have never united behind a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, 2024 GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump said this week he wants to put the issue back on the national agenda. That delights Democrats, who have won at least two elections partly by defending the now-popular health law. Meanwhile, the Texas Supreme Court takes up a case brought by women who say their pregnancy complications further endangered their health due to the vagueness of Texas’ near-total ban on abortions. Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Victoria Knight of Axios News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Rachana Pradhan, who reported and wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature.

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