The Health Law

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Nine Major Changes In The Democrats’ New Health Reform Bill

KFF Health News Original

In their push to pass a sweeping health care overhaul this weekend, House Democrats unveiled a package of legislative fixes to lure undecided or opposed members of their party to the “yes” category.

‘Cadillac’ Insurance Plans Explained

KFF Health News Original

The Democrats final health bill negotiated by the House, Senate and White House and released today contains a scaled-back tax on high-cost insurance policies. Here is a brief guide to these types of insurance plans.

‘Cadillac’ Insurance Plans Explained

KFF Health News Original

The Democrats final health bill negotiated by the House, Senate and White House and released Thursday contains a scaled-back tax on high-cost insurance policies. Here is a brief guide to these types of insurance plans.

Audio: Health On The Hill – Post-CBO Estimate on Reconciliation Package

KFF Health News Original

With a new preliminary Congressional Budget Office score released Thursday morning and language of the health care reconciliation package posted in the afternoon, House Democratic leaders continue their push to pass their health care overhaul legislation this weekend.

House Democrats Weigh Obscure Tactic To Pass Health Care

KFF Health News Original

Democrats are exploring a tricky procedure called “deeming” to speed up passage of health care legislation. The move would allow the House to pass the Senate health bill without a separate and distinct vote on it.

House Dems Trying To Win Health Bill, One Vote At A Time

KFF Health News Original

While President Obama hit the road with a campaign-style sales pitch for his health care overhaul, House Democratic leaders continued their behind-the-scenes arm-twisting and wooing. The goal: to persuade at least 216 of their 253-member caucus to back the bill.

Can Incremental Health Reform Provide A Path Forward?

KFF Health News Original

Incremental proposals would make health care reform more complicated – many of the pieces of the current reform bills are interrelated – but they can provide significant and sustainable changes in the right direction.

Carrot-And-Stick Health Plans Aim To Cut Costs

KFF Health News Original

Workers at a Portland, Ore., steel mill soon will be able to pick a new type of health insurance: one with financial rewards to use proven treatments and disincentives to use less-effective surgeries and diagnostic tests.

Powerful Catholic Quietly Shaping Abortion, Health Bill Debate

KFF Health News Original

As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ point man on abortion, Richard Doerflinger has emerged as a major player in the health care debate, one likely to play a pivotal role in the outcome.

Five Questions About President Obama’s Proposed Changes To The Medicare Payroll Tax

KFF Health News Original

To help pay for his health care overhaul package, President Obama is proposing that wealthy Americans pay Medicare taxes on the money they make on their investments. The proposal would affect millions of people.

Refresher: What’s In The Health Reform Bills

KFF Health News Original

Since the Senate passed its version of a health overhaul Christmas Eve, most of the debate has focused on the politics of the effort. By now, many people have forgotten – if they ever knew – what the bill would actually do.

What Price For Medical Miracles? High Costs At End Of Life Still Part Of National Health Debate

KFF Health News Original

Finding the right balance between too much and too little care is excruciating and highly personal for physicians, patients and families – one reason it’s not discussed at a national level. This reluctance is mirrored by an unwillingness by lawmakers to confront hard choices on medical spending.