Latest KFF Health News Stories
Built To Fail: Health Insurance Exchanges Under The Affordable Care Act (Guest Opinion)
The House of Representatives voted last month to repeal funding for the state health-insurance exchanges. The vote reflects a grassroots revolt. But a better approach might be to rally around the original tenets of the health exchange model.
There’s been a lot of talk among state policymakers, industry stakeholders and the media about whether exchanges should be “active” or “passive” purchasers of health insurance.
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.
Bachmann, Romney, Pawlenty, Gingrich On Health Law
The Republican presidential nomination debate featured a question about the new health law. The candidates pledged to repeal it and Mitt Romney defended a health law he signed while governor of Massachusetts. Former Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty made news when he backed away from confronting Romney on the Massachusetts plan.
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.
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.
Consumers May Be Unaware Of Their Right To A Review Of Health Plan Decisions
Millions of Americans gained the right under the federal health law to appeal insurance denials to an independent arbiter but many may not know they have that option.
Some Programs OK’d By Health Law Lacking Funding
Some provisions in the new health law may never get off the ground due to lack of appropriations.
Blue Shield Of California Sets Profit Cap Other Insurers May Not Imitate
Blue Shield of California’s decision to cap profits at 2 percent was widely applauded, but other health insurers aren’t likely to follow suit.
Another Day In Court For The Individual Mandate (Guest Opinion)
Could the health law be overturned on the basis of the requirement that nearly everyone obtain health insurance? Sure. But it would be one more sign that the courts are establishing new limits on federal power, rather than recognizing existing ones. That is not something conservative judges, in particular, say they like to do.
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.”
Soaring Health Costs Pinned On Medical Devices
The latest devices
States Turn To Foundations To Help Pay Costs of Health Overhaul
Tight budgets are driving more than a dozen states to ask foundations for financial help with setting up exchanges and taking other actions required under the federal health law.
ACO Debacle Exposes Obamacare’s Fatal Conceit (Guest Opinion)
Obamacare’s number-one idea for improving health care quality and reducing costs is to promote something called “accountable care organizations” in Medicare is sinking like a stone because it is premised on the notion that government experts can direct the market better than consumers.
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.
Feds Cutting Fees, Requirements For High-Risk Health Insurance Pools
With enrollment falling far short of expectations, the Obama administration announces changes to make federally run high risk insurance plans both more affordable and more accessible.
Health On The Hill Transcript: Some States Moving Ahead With Health Insurance Exchanges
In today’s Health on the Hill segment, Christine Vestal of Stateline joins KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Jackie Judd to assess the progress
