Latest KFF Health News Stories
Growing Hospice Care Costs Bring Concerns About Misuse
Although the benefit is intended for patients who have no more than six months to live, 19 percent now receive hospice services for longer.
Berenson: Take Small Steps Now To Lower Medicare Costs
Robert Berenson, an Urban Institute fellow and former official at the Department of Health and Human Services, says a number of small Medicare initiatives are “low-hanging fruit” that could be pursued now in order to control the program’s spending.
Controlling Medicare Costs – Robert Berenson
The Urban Institute’s Robert Berenson talks about controlling Medicare costs and says it’s not about rationing but about identifying places where the health care program is being abused.
Health On The Hill Transcript: Democrats, Republicans Stake Out Positions In Budget Talks
PBS Newshour’s David Chalian talks with Jackie Judd about the latest developments in the budget negotiations being led by Vice President Joe Biden and the role of Medicaid and Medicare in those talks.
Health On The Hill: Democrats, Republicans Stake Out Positions In Budget Talks
PBS Newshour’s David Chalian talks with Jackie Judd about the latest developments in the budget negotiations being led by Vice President Joe Biden and the role of Medicaid and Medicare in those talks.
Health Law Expands Medicare To Montana Asbestos Patients
The provision could help cover the hundreds of people diagnosed with the condition, but Republican efforts to repeal the law raise concerns for patients.
Enthusiasm Rises Among Med Students For Primary Care-The KHN Interview
Dr. Andy Bindman says educators at the University of California, San Francisco, are seeing a “pretty significant uptick” in applicants for primary care residencies.
Panel Urges Crackdown On Medicare’s Use Of Imaging
Congressional advisory group recommends that doctors who order a lot of MRIs, CT scans and other such procedures be forced to get prior approval.
Democrats Revive Medicare As Political Weapon
Republicans used Medicare as their weapon in the midterm elections last fall, and now Democrats are turning the tables on them. They’ve taken aim at the budget plan House Republicans voted for in April.
Health on the Hill: GOP Presidential Candidates Debate Health Law, Medicare
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey is joined by Politico Pro’s David Nather to discuss Monday’s GOP presidential debate that featured the candidates talking about repeal of the health law as well as Medicare reforms proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan.
Republican Presidential Candidates On Health Care: Transcript
KHN provides a full transcript of video excerpts from the June 13 debate in which the candidates took on key health policy issues.
GOP Presidential Hopefuls Debate Medicare
At the New Hampshire debate, candidates Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, Herman Cain and Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, discussed the controversial Ryan budget plan that would revamp Medicare and put forth some solutions of their own.
On Political Expediency and Health Care Reform (Guest Opinion)
Once upon a time, President Barack Obama and many others who championed his health care plan actually professed faith in the power of a functioning health care marketplace. That now seems like a distant memory.
A Health Policy Reality Check (Guest Opinion)
We occupy a strange time in U.S. health policy. Over the past two years, assumptions and beliefs that bridged the liberal-conservative health policy divide have been blown apart.
Berwick: “I’ve Got The Back” Of Medicare Beneficiaries – The KHN Interview
Embattled CMS administrator says partnering with providers will improve care and reduce costs.
Berwick: “I’ve Got The Back” Of Medicare Beneficiaries (Video)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick discusses the GOP proposals for controlling the costs of Medicare and “the way out of this Medicaid dilemma.”
Ryan’s Unintended Consequences (Guest Opinion)
There is one good thing about Ryan’s plan, and it has been completely overlooked. Offering beneficiaries the same voucher, no matter where they live, would expose the egregious amount of money Medicare wastes in many parts of the country.
The Other Health Care Lawsuit: California Medicaid Case Headed To Supreme Court
The court will focus on whether outside groups, such as hospitals, pharmacists and Medicaid recipients, have the right to sue when they believe the state is violating federal law.
Report: Big Flaws In How Medicare Pays Hospitals, Doctors
A prestigious Institute of Medicine panel says Medicare’s methods of evaluating regional costs are disturbingly imprecise and need to be overhauled.
Hospitals Face New Pressure To Cut Infection Rates
Under laws in more than two dozen states and new Medicare rules that went into effect earlier this year, hospitals are required to report infections, risking their reputations as sterile sanctuaries, or pay a penalty. That’s left hospital administrators weighing the cost of ‘fessing up against the cost of fines.
