Latest KFF Health News Stories
House Republicans Attack Obama Administration On Medicare Advantage
In this edition of Health on the Hill, KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey interviews CQ Roll Call’s Emily Ethridge about today’s House Ways and Means health subcommittee hearing on the health law’s cuts to the private Medicare Advantage program.
Obama, Ryan Offer Dueling Visions Of Medicare To AARP Members
Both candidates portray themselves as protectors of the popular entitlement program and argue their rivals’ plans would undermine it.
Q & A: Keeping Your Young Adult Child On Your Health Plan
Much of the time, even if the child is financially independent and has a job with insurance, the young adult can stay on the family plan.
Colorado Gets Closer To Essential Health Benefit Benchmark
Colorado is moving forward with broad consensus among the state’s decision makers on the minimum level of health coverage people will be required to carry beginning in 2014.
Here’s a summary of President Barack Obama’s record on a range of health care issues, including Medicare.
Bill Clinton On Medicare: ‘There Were No Cuts To Benefits At All’
As part of his 50-minute defense of the Obama administration’s record, the former president praised Obama’s health policies, asking, “Are we better off because President Obama fought for health care reform? You bet we are.”
Biz Groups Push For Answers On Minnesota Exchange
The head of the largest business group in Minnesota has a message for both Democrats and Republicans as the state attempts to plan a health insurance exchange: We need answers, fast.
‘Obamacare’ Plays Starring Role In First Night Of Convention
Several speakers cited the 2010 health law as a signature achievement of the Obama administration Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. This video sample includes Stacey Lihn, the mother of a child with congenital heart disease, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, San Antonio Mayor Juli
Video Excerpts: Kennedy-Romney Debate 1994
As part of a video tribute to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Democrats showed this 18-year-old debate excerpt at their convention in Charlotte, N.C. on Tuesday. In 1994, Mitt Romney was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, challenging Kennedy, the incumbent at that time.
Romney Vows To Repeal And Replace Health Law
Health care was not featured in the Republican presidential nominee’s acceptance speech, but former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney repeated his pledge to repeal or replace the incumbent’s signature legislative achievement.
Ryan: ‘Greatest Threat To Medicare Is Obamacare’
Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP vice presidential nominee, was not the only speaker who denounced the health law at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night. State Attorneys General Pam Bondi and Sam Olens spoke about the federal lawsuit against the law, and former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee called the law’s provisions an “attack on my Catholic brothers and sisters.”
GOP Convention: Christie Promises ‘Hard Truths’ From Romney
Excerpts on health issues from Gov. Chris Christie’s keynote speech, plus speeches by former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum and former Democratic Rep. Artur Davis.
Paul Ryan’s Health Care Record
By choosing Wis. Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney has put Medicare on the table as a major 2012 campaign issue. Here’s a summary of Ryan’s record on a range of health care issues, including Medicare.
Medicare Fraud Squads Wield New Weapons
The fraud squads who look for scams in the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs have some new weapons: tools and funding provided by the health law.
Romney’s Choice Of Ryan Is Key To Politics Of Medicare Debate
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Marilyn Werber Serafini discuss how Medicare reforms could figure into November’s presidential election now that presumptive GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has chosen Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to be his running mate.
Medicare To Penalize 2,217 Hospitals For Excess Readmissions
Too many patients are returning to the hospital soon after being discharged, a costly problem the government is tackling.
FAQ: How Paul Ryan Proposes To Change Medicare
The Republican-controlled House, along party lines, twice approved Ryan’s proposals to overhaul the popular program by giving beneficiaries a set amount of money every year to buy coverage from competing health plans. That is a fundamental shift from today’s program, where the federal government must help pay for every doctor visit and medical service that an individual uses.
Contraception Coverage Issue Continues To Smolder On Capitol Hill
Jackie Judd and KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey discuss the health law provision mandating contraception coverage at no cost to consumers, as the focus of the dispute broadens from Congress to the courts.
Ten Things You Didn’t Know Were In The Affordable Care Act
The 2010 health law’s big-ticket items have been the stuff of political debate and policy controversy. But the law’s hundreds of pages include a number of other initiatives that have gained much less notice.
How The SCOTUS Medicaid Ruling Could Save Money
The Obama administration doesn’t want states to skip Medicaid expansions, but it could save money.
