Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Laws Expand Mental Health Coverage
Insurance coverage of mental illness and addiction problems often is skimpier than for physical illness. But that is changing with the mental health parity law that took effect earlier this year and the new health overhaul.
Nurses’ Push For Bigger Role Gets Powerful Ally
An Institute of Medicine report says nurses should take on a larger role in providing health care and calls for removal of government restrictions, which doctors have repeatedly opposed.
Health Care Providers, Insurers: Accountable Care Organizations Bring Legal Worries
The Obama administration has touted ACOs as a key way that the new health law will help providers work more closely together to lower health costs and improve patient care. But doctors and hospitals are worried about inadvertently violating antitrust and anti-fraud laws. Insurers fear the new doctor-hospital entities could boost health care prices. Industry and government officials are meeting Tuesday to deal with the concerns.
Transcript: Health On The Hill – October 4, 2010
As the November elections near, more Democrats appear to be campaigning on the health care law, touting a package of consumer protections that went into effect for plan years starting after Sept. 23.
Health On The Hill – October 4, 2010
As the November elections near, more Democrats appear to be campaigning on the health care law, touting a package of consumer protections that went into effect for plan years starting after Sept. 23.
Medical Loss Ratio Rule Should Encourage Health Care Fraud Fighting
While the federal government is investing heavily in anti-fraud efforts, private insurers should be given incentives to do the same.
Health Insurance Prices, Restrictions Now On Federal Consumer Website
Healthcare.gov, the website created by the new health law to be a one-stop consumer resource, today unveiled detailed cost and benefits information about health plans available in the individual insurance market.
The NAIC’s Effort To Find Balance In Its Medical Loss Ratio Regulation
The development of this draft rule is not a contest with winners and losers, but an effort to create a framework to press insurers to spend less money on bureaucracy and more on health care in a way that benefits consumers and keeps insurance markets viable.
Wall Street Comes To Washington, And, Gasp, Health Care Consensus Ensues
Financial and health policy analysts who gathered for the 15th annual Wall Street Comes to Washington Conference reached a surprising meeting of the minds on the new health care law.
New ‘Innovation’ Chief Comes From ‘Model’ Health Care System
Dr. Richard Gilfillan, the new acting director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, has quite a juggling act to perform.
Civil War? Maine, Florida Medical Associations Battling Over AMA Role In Health Reform
The Florida Medical Association’s controversial decision to express a lack of confidence in the American Medical Association is drawing criticism from its northern counterpart in Maine, which is urging support of AMA leaders.
High Court: Broken Bed Falls Under Malpractice Cap
As a federal judge considers the constitutionality of Texas’ 2003 medical malpractice reform – and Gov. Rick Perry campaigns for more lawsuit restrictions – the state Supreme Court has ruled that hospital injuries seemingly unrelated to doctor error can fall under Texas’ stringent medical malpractice caps. Some legal observers say the decision is a perversion of legislative intent, but tort reform advocates contend the high court simply closed a huge loophole in liability reforms.
Health Law Calls For Breast Cancer Warnings To Young Women
Provision aims to raise awareness about the risk of the disease to women between the ages of 15 and 44.
Health On The Hill – September 27, 2010
Just weeks before the November elections, new polling shows that four out of 10 adults – no matter whether they supported the law – think the health care law did not do enough to change the health care system in America, and 53 percent of Americans are still confused about health reform.
Transcript: Health On The Hill – Sept. 27, 2010
Just weeks before the November elections, new polling shows that four out of 10 adults – no matter whether they supported the law – think the health care law did not do enough to change the health care system in America, and 53 percent of Americans are still confused about health reform.
Americans Still Confused, Divided About Health Law
Fifty-three percent of Americans say they are confused by the health reform law, an increase of 8 percentage points, a monthly Kaiser Family Foundation poll reports.
Congress has promised almost everyone in the country access to a whole slew of preventive services with no copay or deductible. The result could have a dire impact on health care quality and access.
Returning To The Argument: Can Health Reform Reduce Costs?
Health reform critics cite recent developments regarding insurance premium cost increases as proof that their suspicions about the overhaul were on target. But are they right? Don’t be so sure.
As They Consolidate, Hospitals Get Pricier
The health reform law is likely to spur more hospital mergers, fueling a trend that experts say has led to higher hospital prices and insurance premiums.
Week In Review: It’s Health Reform’s Six-Month Anniversary, Is The Honeymoon Over?
As a number of its consumer protections took effect, attention to health law ramped up — six weeks before the midterm elections.
