Latest KFF Health News Stories
Administration Delaying Some Rules For Appealing Health Insurance Denials
Officials say they will revise the requirements to deal with objections raised by insurers.
As governors across the land pepper the federal government with requests to scale back Medicaid
Medicare Rule Sparks Concerns About Patients’ Access To Home Health Care
Providers criticize health law requirement targeted at curbing wasteful spending.
On Health Law’s Anniversary: Predictions For Next Year
We asked 12 players from across the nation what they thought they would have accomplished by next year’s anniversary of the health law, or what issues they expect to be central in the ongoing debate.
HHS Says 48,000 Have Used Medicare Drug Discounts This Year
The health law provides a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs and 7 percent for generics once beneficiaries reach the doughnut hole.
Analyzing The Health Law’s Rocky First Year – Health On The Hill Transcript
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and NPR’s Julie Rovner report on how proponents and opponents are marking the first anniversary of the law.
Health On The Hill: Analyzing The Health Law’s Rocky First Year
NPR’s Julie Rovner joins KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talk about developments on the Hill. This week: With the one-year anniversary of the health law this week, proponents of the measure point to many of its provisions, such as insuring adult children up to age 26 on a parent’s policy or tax credits to help small businesses afford coverage, as signs that the law is succeeding. But opponents of the law say many of its provisions, such as the Medicaid expansion or a requirement that most individuals have health insurance or pay a fine, will weaken public support.
What A Difference A Year Makes
One year ago, the House approved the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Two days later, the measure became law. Normally, that would be enough to transform a bill into a permanent fixture of American life. But this was no ordinary bill.
Health Insurers Respond To Reform By Snapping Up Less-Regulated Businesses
Health insurance companies respond to new regulations by expanding into related
Americans Remain Divided, Confused About Health Law As Anniversary Nears
Support levels have changed little since the landmark bill was signed last March as the partisan divide on the issue continues, new Kaiser Family Foundation poll finds.
Health Reform’s Next Act: A Focus On Achieving Health Equity
The president has offered states some flexibility in their efforts to implement parts of the new health law. He should also insist that they show progress toward eliminating the health inequities that exist between rich and poor Americans, and whites relative to most non-whites.
Ryan Says Congress Will Dodge Entitlement Cuts
Congress is unlikely to tackle major changes in Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security before the 2012 election because of few signs that Republicans and Democrats are willing to assume the political risk, according to House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Healthy Indiana: Conservatives’ Reform Poster Child Or Another Costly Program?
The Healthy Indiana Plan is the Hoosier state’s alternative to traditional Medicaid. It’s boosters also consider it a viable alternative to the dreaded Affordable Care Act. But do they really have a case?
Video: Sebelius Questioned By Senate Finance Committee
During a Senate Finance Committee hearing titled “Health Reform: Lessons Learned During the First Year,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius praised the health law and faced questions from critical Republican members on the panel. Watch excerpts from the hearing.
Many Adults Struggle To Pay Medical Bills, Report Finds
The recession and rising health costs create financial hardships or cause consumers to forgo care, according to a survey by the Commonwealth Fund.
The ‘Missing Link’ In ACOs: Patients
Is it realistic to leverage the success of accountable care organizations on physician incentives alone? In other words, what about patients? Might they be that mysterious point that determines the effectiveness of ACO evolution?
Dems To GOP: Show Us Your Health Insurance
A bill introduced by House Democrats would require members of Congress to declare whether they are taking health benefits subsidized by taxpayers. The bill has next to no chance of passing because Republicans control the House. But its introduction puts some heat on the GOP.
Health Law Funding: GOP Sticking Point In Spending Bill
Health On The Hill: Some House and Senate Republicans have said they will vote against a three-week funding measure for the federal government because it does not take steps to stop funding for implementation of the health care law. Watch the video.
Health On The Hill: Health Law Funding A GOP Sticking Point In Spending Bill
The Washington Post’s Amy Goldstein joins KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talk about developments on the Hill. This week: Some House and Senate Republicans have said they will vote against a three-week funding measure for the federal government because it does not take steps to stop funding for implementation of the health care law. Separately, health care is surfacing as a key issue among potential GOP presidential candidates.
GOP Wants States To Lead On Health Coverage
If Republicans are successful in repealing last year’s health law, they want to replace it with legislation that would give states far more discretion about how to cover people, according to a top Senate Republican.
