The Health Law

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Debate: Dispute Over Gingrich’s Role In Medicare Part D

KFF Health News Original

Video: Health care came up in a variety of ways in Monday’s debate in Tampa, sponsored by NBC, National Journal and the Tampa Bay Times. Mitt Romney accused Newt Gingrich of influence-peddling on Medicare and also defended the Massachusetts health care reform. Rick Santorum tried to distinguish himself from both men, claiming their support of the individual mandate in the past undermines their conservative credentials. And he defended his behavior during the 1995 controversy about Terri Schiavo, who was in the center of a right-to-die dispute.

Video: Romney Calls Health Law ‘Fourth Entitlement’

KFF Health News Original

In Monday’s GOP presidential candidate debate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, front-runner Mitt Romney described his approach to Medicare, which includes charging wealthier recipients more and including ‘premium supports.’ He also attacked the health law, the only candidate on the stage to discuss the law. Former Sen. Rick Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich both challenged Romney. The S.C. primary is on Saturday.

New Group To Set Priorities for Medical Effectiveness Research

KFF Health News Original

Congress is betting more than $3 billion over the next decade that “comparative effectiveness” research can transform medical care by helping determine the best approach to a particular illness.

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.

United Against Health Law, Medicare Reforms Divide GOP Presidential Candidates

KFF Health News Original

KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Marilyn Werber Serafini talk with Jackie Judd about Tuesday’s New Hampshire GOP primary. The GOP field is united in their opposition against Obama’s Health Law, but differences remain in how they would reform Medicare.

National Health Spending Grew Slowly In 2010

KFF Health News Original

But officials say that for the first time in years premiums for people in private insurance plans rose faster than what was spent on their care, according to KHN’s Marilyn Werber Serafini.

Romney, Santorum, Others Call For Medicare ‘Premium Support’ In New Hampshire GOP Debate

KFF Health News Original

While health care issues did not take up much of Sunday morning’s debate, the candidates agreed that Medicare should be a Rep. Paul-Ryan-style “premium support” system and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney said that, in the future, he believes wealthy Medicare recipients should have to pay more for the program.

Kansas, Oklahoma Insurers Won’t Get A Break On Rebate Rule

KFF Health News Original

Kansas and Oklahoma are the seventh and eighth states to get the thumbs down from the federal government on their requests to phase in new regulations that could result in health insurance rebates to consumers.

Congress’ Full 2012 Plate: The ‘Doc Fix,’ The Health Law And Automatic Cuts

KFF Health News Original

KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about what a divided Congress will face when it returns to Washington this month and begins dealing with fixing how Medicare pays doctors. A conference committee has until the end of February to fix the so-called “Sustainable Growth Rate” or doctors face a big pay cut.

Web Reporter Shefali S. Kulkarni 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 Shefali S. Kulkarni says to watch out for how health disparities are affected by implementation of the health law.

Web Reporter Jessica Marcy 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 Jessica Marcy says she’ll be examining the different kinds of health care workers — growing in numbers — looking to give more people more care.

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.

Robin Toner Distinguished Fellow Marilyn Werber Serafini Discusses What 2012 Will Hold For Health Care

KFF Health News Original

KHN reporters preview some of the big issues coming this year: KHN Robin Toner Distinguished Fellow Marilyn Werber Serafini says she’ll be following the 2012 presidential campaigns and how health care plays into the race.