The Health Law

Latest KFF Health News Stories

The Senate’s Object Lesson For GOP Health Law Repeal Hopes

KFF Health News Original

The upper chamber’s recent consideration of legislation to repeal a small revenue-raising provision within the health overhaul offers insights into why a more sweeping repeal effort would be a very difficult task.

Health On The Hill Transcript: Congress Passes One-Month Medicare ‘Doc Fix’

KFF Health News Original

As Congress resumed its lame duck session, the House passed a one-month extension of a Medicare physician payment “fix” that would stop scheduled cuts for another month. Meanwhile, the Senate rejected a repeal of the so-called “1099” tax reporting provision in the health law that requires that businesses file a form for any purchase of goods or services worth more than $600.

If Employers Walked Away From Health Coverage

KFF Health News Original

What would happen if the rank and file of America’s employers, financially overwhelmed by the burden associated with sponsoring health coverage, suddenly opted not to? It’s an idea that is not so far-fetched.

Health PAC Giving: A Report Card On The Tightest Races

KFF Health News Original

KHN analyzed 20 health-sector political action committees’ direct contributions to individual candidates in the 94 most competitive congressional races to determine the PACs’ win-loss records.

Health On The Hill Transcript: Medical Loss Ratio, Doc Fix

KFF Health News Original

HHS released regulations on the medical loss ratio, a provision in the health law that requires insurers spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars of health care. Meanwhile, before the Senate adjourned for Thanksgiving it passed a one-month ‘patch’ to prevent physicians who see Medicare patients from having their payments reduced.

New Law’s Health Insurance Regulations Could Mean Rebates For Consumers

KFF Health News Original

Millions of Americans might be eligible for rebates starting in 2012 under regulations released Monday detailing the health care law’s requirement that insurers spend at least 80 percent of their revenue on direct medical care.

‘Don’t Litigate, Innovate.’ How To Implement A Fully Funded Alternative To The New Health Care Overhaul — And It’s Already In The Law

KFF Health News Original

What if a Republican governor and a Republican legislature had the ability to implement their version of health insurance reform and the federal government would have to pay for it? It’s a great idea. And I’m thrilled to say that a bi-partisan bill has already been introduced in the Senate by Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Scott Brown, R-Mass., that would help facilitate exactly this end.

Health Industry Cool To Complete Repeal Of Reform Law

KFF Health News Original

Republicans in Congress say their priority for next year is to build momentum for an eventual repeal of the new health law. But they could be in for a surprise: While repeal may be popular with Republican voters, the GOP could face pushback from some allies in the health care industry.

The Texas Medicaid Scenario — Why It’s Never Going To Happen

KFF Health News Original

Withdrawing from Medicaid would be political suicide. Despite post-election bluster, no governor or legislature will seriously attempt such a maneuver because of the related administrative, economic and organizational difficulties.

Health Reform Advocates Make Voices Heard In Federal Court Case

KFF Health News Original

Friday was the last day for people with something to say about the new federal health law to file briefs in the huge multistate lawsuit in Florida challenging its constitutionality and supporters as well as opponents chimed in.