Latest KFF Health News Stories
Can We Stop Calling Them ‘Consumer Protections’ Now?
These supposed “consumer protections” are hurting millions of Americans by increasing the cost of insurance and the cost of hiring, as well as driving insurers out of business. They should be called what they really are: regulations that can hurt even more than they help.
Insurers Clash With Hospitals And Doctors Over ACO Rules
Powerful interests that are supposed to create and run the health law’s new accountable care organizations are fighting over what the rules governing ACOs should say.
Zeke Emanuel, Adviser On Health Reform, Leaves White House
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, a health care adviser in the Office of Management and Budget and brother of Rahm Emanuel, returned to his post at the National Institutes of Health this week.
Obama Health Care Officials Switch Jobs, Reorganize
Besides an array of health care challenges, the new year is bringing changes in the staff putting the new law into effect.
The Avastin Decision: A Rational Decision Or Rationing?
Sometimes the noisiest voices in the health overhaul debate don’t make a good faith effort to acknowledge important scientific or policy-oriented nuances in their arguments. It’s happening again in the wake of a controversial regulatory ruling about a cancer drug.
Transcript: Republicans Schedule Health Law Repeal Vote
House Republicans have scheduled a Jan. 12 vote to repeal the health care law. While the measure is expected to pass the House, Democrats in the Senate have pledged to stop the bill.
Video: Republicans Promise Health Law Repeal Vote
Repealing the health law is one of the House Republicans’ top priorities. While the repeal is expected to pass the House, Democrats in the Senate have pledged to stop the bill.
Improving The Health Law In 2011: Realistic Ways To Reach Bipartisan Compromise
There are ways for Democrats and Republicans to agree to improve the new health care law in 2011.
Insurers Sometimes Reject Neonatal Intensive Care Costs
In these specialized units for premature infants or babies with special needs, the doctors and other personnel may not be under contract with an insurer’s network even though the hospital is covered.
The lack of an inspiring name for the health care law complicates Democrats’ efforts to gain public support.
Health Care Battles To Surge Anew In 2011: Andrew Villegas
KHN reporters preview some of the big issues coming this year: KHN Assistant Editor Andrew Villegas says there is strong interest in what health care policy ideas Republicans will offer in Congress.
Health Care Battles To Surge Anew In 2011: Marilyn Werber Serafini
KHN reporters preview some of the big issues coming this year: Marilyn Werber Serafini, the Robin Toner Fellow at KHN, says efforts to cut federal spending likely will be hampered by campaign promises on Medicare funding.
Health Care Battles To Surge Anew In 2011: Mary Agnes Carey
KHN reporters preview some of the big issues coming this year: KHN senior correspondent Mary Agnes Carey says the GOP will try to make good on its promise to repeal the health law but there is some division in the ranks.
Nine Ways The New Health Law May Affect You in 2011
In 2011 many new provisions of the health law kick in, providing benefits for many and potential new costs for some others.
Seniors May Not Rush In For Medicare Wellness Exams
The new health law adds coverage for an annual checkup, but in the past beneficiaries have not shown great interest in the “wellness exams” offered when they first qualify for Medicare.
Video: Q&A with Michelle Andrews: Preventive Health
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a consumer about why health plans are not touting more preventive health care to save on costs in the system. But, as Andrews details, new plans are going to have to provide many different sorts of preventive health services for free.
New Rules Would Require Insurers To Justify Double-Digit Rate Increases
The Obama administration’s proposed rule would require health insurers to explain in detail any rate increase of 10 percent or more in 2011.
Some Policies Restrict Coverage By Limiting Visits To The Doctor
The new health law eliminated lifetime and most annual dollar limits for consumers but some plans cut costs by covering only a defined number of doctor appointments, prescriptions or other services.
A Bipartisan Budget Will Require Bipartisan Health Care
It is essential that political leaders come together in a bipartisan fashion to put our government’s finances on more stable footing. But that won’t be done if the nation’s approach to health care is supported by only one of the two major political parties.
Transcript: Health Law Repeal Efforts To Gain Steam, Others Stand Against It
Republican efforts to repeal the health overhaul law will be a central focus for the party when the 112th Congress convenes in January, while Democrats will fight repeal or any significant changes to the measure.
