Latest Morning Briefing Stories

KHN Video: Filling In The Gaps

KFF Health News Original

This video features specially trained paramedic Ryan Ramsdell, who is part of an ambitious plan in Reno, Nevada, to overhaul the 911 system to improve patient care and cut costs.

KHN Video: Momentary Healing

KFF Health News Original

Wynne Lee, 17, struggled with depression and cultural expectations for several years. The teen from Diamond Bar, California, is like many kids from Asian American families who often have trouble finding appropriate treatment.

KHN Video: Tax Deadline Meets The Health Law

KFF Health News Original

As April 15 approaches, most of the consumers who didn’t get insurance coverage face penalties while others who used federal subsidies to buy their plans must reconcile their actual earnings with the estimates that they made last year.

Caught In The Middle

KFF Health News Original

Kairis Chiaji from Sacramento, California, says it was difficult to afford health insurance before the Affordable Care Act on her self-employed income as a birth coach. The 43-year-old experienced a mix up with her application through Covered California that delayed her enrollment.

Health On The Hill: No Senate ‘Doc Fix’ Vote Before Recess. Will Break Hurt Chances?

KFF Health News Original

After a decade of short term fixes, the House passed legislation to replace Medicare’s troubled Sustainable Growth Rate, or SGR, and replace it with an alternative doctor payment formula. Kaiser Health News’ Mary Agnes Carey and Politico Pro’s Jennifer Haberkorn discuss what’s next for the bill when the Senate returns from recess next month.

Surprises And Standing: Breaking Down Today’s Supreme Court Arguments

KFF Health News Original

Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case challenging some of the health law’s insurance subsidies, but not before considering whether the plaintiffs had standing in the case. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Julie Rovner discuss surprises from the hearing.

What’s At Stake As Health Law Lands At Supreme Court Again

KFF Health News Original

With a $400 tax credit, Julia Raye of North Carolina has been able to afford health insurance and keep her diabetes under control. She is one of 8.2 million people who could lose that subsidy in a case that goes before the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday.

Uninsured For The First Time

KFF Health News Original

Cecily Liu, 37, had a bad experience with the state’s insurance exchange the first time around. The self-employed accountant struggled with whether to re-enroll her family.

Undocumented Immigrant Not Allowed To Buy Health Insurance Through Marketplace

KFF Health News Original

Even though Jessica Bravo, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, isn’t allowed to buy coverage under the Affordable Care Act, she works as a health outreach worker to educate people about the new health law. Until a few months ago, the 19-year-old Costa Mesa resident didn’t know coverage was a possibility for her as well.

Hospitals Struggle To Beat Back Serious Infections

KFF Health News Original

KHN reporter Jordan Rau spoke on NPR about data that say about 75,000 patients per year die from infections they got in the hospital. Nearly 700 hospitals around the U.S. have higher than expected infection rates.

KHN Video: Transgender Surgery Covered By Insurance

KFF Health News Original

After being uninsured, Palm Springs resident Devin Payne signed up for a Covered California plan under the health law. In May, the 43-year-old single parent underwent gender reassignment surgery and is looking forward to being reimbursed by her insurance company.

Allynne Noelle: Ballerina Gets Insured

KFF Health News Original

Ballerinas risk injury and high health care costs every time they perform. Allynne Noelle, 32, principal ballerina with the Los Angeles Ballet, says the new health care law offers some relief.

Restaurant Owner Struggles To Afford Health Insurance

KFF Health News Original

Sandra Lopez, 41, owns Las Fajitas, a popular Mexican restaurant in Newport Beach, Calif. She has to make decisions about health insurance coverage for her family and her business under the Affordable Care Act.