Latest KFF Health News Stories
Kill Grandma? Debunking A Health Bill Scare Tactic
Some analysts say false claims that the health bill encourages seniors to end their lives early were purposely spread to undermine the bill. In fact, the bill would pay health care providers to discuss a patient’s health care wishes. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Transcript: President Obama Town Hall Meeting In New Hampshire
President Barack Obama continued his press for public support of health reform initiatives Tuesday at what The White House called a “Health Insurance Reform Town Hall” meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
’80s Tax Bill Has Lessons For Health Care Overhaul
In negotiating health care legislation, lawmakers might want to look back to 1986. That was the year that a Democratic House and a Republican Senate worked together to pass a tax simplification bill. A full-court press by lobbyists is usually enough to stop a bill – but it wasn’t in 1986. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Transcript: Health on the Hill
Today’s Health on the Hill is mostly about health off the Hill. Jackie Judd talks with Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown about the contentious town hall meetings and how the lawmakers are preparing themselves for questions. The White House has launched a Web site to try to correct false rumors and to push the President’s agenda on health reform.
Health On The Hill – August 10, 2009
Today’s Health on the Hill is mostly about health off the Hill. Jackie Judd talks with Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown about the contentious town hall meetings and how the lawmakers are preparing themselves for questions. The White House has launched a Web site to try to correct false rumors and to push the President’s agenda on health reform.
Bending the Curve Requires Health Care Reform, Not Just Sick Care Reform: A History Lesson
As President Obama and Congress struggle to bend the rising cost curve in order to make health care available to all Americans, the history of the first great expansion of health care coverage when Lyndon Johnson drove Medicare and Medicaid through Congress in 1965 offers some critical lessons.
Sebelius: Protesters Trying To ‘Silence Debate’
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Friday in a conference call with members of the Service Employees Internation Union that some people protesting at town hall meetings around America are trying to silence the health care debate.
Community Health Centers Fill Big Need During Recession
As the economy has worsened, community health centers – which provide free and reduced-cost care to millions of Americans – have felt the pinch . Facilities, such as the Walker-Jones Health Center in Washington D.C., will have even more patients if Congress passes a health overhaul that expands coverage.
Reform is Still Worth Fighting For
If the possibility of lesser reform doesn’t motivate liberals, then maybe something else will: the possibility of no reform.
In Massachusetts, A Radical Idea For Changing How Doctors Are Paid
Some Massachusetts policymakers want to end the tradition of paying health care providers a separate fee for every service they provide. They say paying fees for every visit, test and procedure ordered is the main reason Massachusetts’ health care costs are the highest in the nation. This story comes from our partner NPR News
Insurance Agents Look Into The Future, See Uncertainty And “Opportunity”
For the tens of thousands of individual insurance agents nationwide, proposed changes to the health care system could radically alter how they do business.
In interviews, two agents talk about how they are bracing themselves for the post-reform environment. One thinks her fellow agents are too complacent, the other says “in every adversity, there is opportunity.”
Are Insurers’ Profits As Low As They Claim?
A trade group says insurers only make 1 cent off every dollar spent on health care. But that figure measures insurer profits against all the money pumped into the U.S. system. Economists say profits are traditionally calculated by how much insurers spend versus how much money they take in.
Public Baffled By Health Care Arguments
Many voters agree the current system is broken, but the “confusing babble” from D.C. sounds worse.
Will Emphasis on Prevention Bring Health Costs Down?
Obama and congressional leaders hope to reduce health care spending by promoting prevention to catch disease early. But some insurance and health officials say such efforts-although laudable-may not cut overall health costs.
Transcript: Health On The Hill for Week of August 3
Jackie Judd talks with Eric Pianin about the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s vote last Friday, wrapping up its work on major health care legislation, before Congress adjourns for the August recess.
Health On The Hill – August 3, 2009
Jackie Judd talks with Eric Pianin about the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s vote last Friday, wrapping up its work on major health care legislation, before Congress adjourns for the August recess.
Pharmaceutical Industry Keeps Hand In Health Care Bill: Interview With Billy Tauzin
NPR’s Linda Wertheimer talks with Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of PhRMA, the biggest trade association for the prescription drug industry.
Dems and Republicans Head Home With Health Care Talking Points
Democratic and Republican lawmakers will offer their constituents very different takes on pending health care legislation during the August recess. Democrats will say the bills will “hold insurance companies accountable” and guarantee lower costs and more choice, while the Republicans will warn against a government takeover that will undermine competition and drive up costs.
Blue-Dog Deal Dogs Health Overhaul Effort
An agreement between the House leadership and conservative Democrats sparked protests from states worried about higher Medicaid costs and liberals upset about the paring back of subsidies.
Obama’s Former Physician: Not This ‘Bogus Plan’
Dr. David Scheiner wants to make a house call to one of the most famous houses in the world. For 22 years, he was President Obama’s doctor. Now, he would like to counsel his former patient and says the President should be doing more to heal the system’s ills by holding out for a single-payer approach to health reform.
