Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Bipartisan Trap – And How Democrats Fell Into It
Every special interest knew that the Democrats had a razor-thin margin for success–and that gave them maximum leverage. They understood early on that, by trying in good faith to reach deals with Republicans and conservatives, Democrats were falling into a trap–the one that’s ensnaring them now.
Many Still Hope For Insurance Reform
Some lawmakers are considering a scaled-back health bill in place of the comprehensive legislation now stalled in Congress. But there’s debate about whether popular insurance reforms, such as requiring insurers to accept applicants with health problems, can be successful without an unpopular individual insurance mandate.
Health Care Overhaul May Be Mortally Wounded
A political change of temperature has lawmakers scrambling for a new strategy on a health overhaul. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
A Smaller, Bipartisan Health Care Bill: Where to Start
A few modest first steps could do a lot to begin to build some bipartisan trust — and actually help some Americans who need it.
Audio: Health On The Hill – January 21, 2010
The fate of congressional health overhaul legislation is uncertain after Republican Scott Brown’s win in Massachusetts’ special election on Monday and Democrats’ loss of a filibuster-proof majority.
How The Budget Reconciliation Process Works
Democrats, who no longer have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, are weighing the use of a budget rule called reconciliation to pass at least part of the long-debated health overhaul package with a simple majority.
Who Really Understands ObamaCare?
Voters understand what’s in the bills. They just don’t like it.
Why Public Support For Health Care Faltered
The Democrats’ health overhaul legislation is in trouble for many reasons, including key policy decisions that led many Americans to wonder whether they would wind up worse off.
Give Nurses A Bigger Role In Improving Health Care
Poll after poll finds that nurses are either the most trusted group of professionals, or one of the most trusted groups, in the country.
Transcript: Health On The Hill – What The Massachusetts Senate Race Could Mean For Health Reform
The outcome of the Massachusetts Senate race could play a pivotal role in efforts by President Obama and congressional Democrats to pass a health care overhaul bill this year.
Health On The Hill – January 19, 2010
The outcome of the Massachusetts Senate race could play a pivotal role in efforts by President Obama and congressional Democrats to pass a health care overhaul bill this year.
Opponents Threaten Constitutional Challenge To Individual Mandate
A major component of the Congressional health bills is a requirement that nearly everyone buy health insurance. But conservatives who oppose health reform have threatened a challenge on constitutional grounds.
Obama, Democrats Compromise On ‘Cadillac’ Tax, Eager To Move Past Health Bill
President Obama was upbeat about negotiations on health legislation as he addressed the Democratic Caucus last night. With him are House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. (Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images)
Feds Vs. States: Who Should Run Proposed Health Insurance Marketplaces?
The final decision on who should supervise health exchanges is critical to health plan choices available to consumers, the cost of the premiums and the clout regulators may have.
Florida Officials Say They Will Resist Some Requirements In Health Overhaul
Florida’s Republican attorney general opposes the individual mandate and a state insurance official says significant changes in state laws would be needed to meet federal requirements if overhaul passes.
Chamber Of Commerce Says Health Fight Over – But Sees Room To Maneuver
Officials at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce predict that House and Senate negotiators would finish their work and get a final bill to President Barack Obama by mid-to-late February.
House, Senate View Health Exchanges Differently
One key element of both the House and Senate health bills would create health insurance “exchanges” where individuals and small businesses could purchase health insurance. However, the House and Senate versions would work in very different ways. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Transcript: Health On The Hill – January 11, 2010
With House members returning to town, negotiations continue between House and Senate Democrats over differences in the two chambers’ health care bills.
Health On The Hill – January 11, 2010
With House members returning to town, negotiations continue between House and Senate Democrats over differences in the two chambers’ health care bills. Key differences include financing, the level of subsidies provided to help people afford coverage and whether or not to include a tax on high-cost health insurance plans.
Transparency and Sausage Making
Compared to George W. Bush’s administration, President Obama has made significant gains in legislative transparency.
