Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health On The Hill – July 13, 2009
Opposition from a group of fiscally conservative House Democrats known as the “Blue Dogs” has slowed release of the House Democrats’ health care measure, while members of the Senate Finance Committee continue to work toward a consensus package. Opposition to taxing employer-provided health insurance benefits has caused Senate Finance negotiators to find other options to pay for the bill. Meanwhile, some lawmakers and health care analysts have urged President Obama to take a greater role to keep Capitol Hill focused on passing health care legislation.
Transcript: Health on the Hill Reporter Roundtable
Opposition from a group of fiscally conservative House Democrats known as the “Blue Dogs” has slowed release of the House Democrats’ health care measure, while members of the Senate Finance Committee continue to work toward a consensus package. Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin of Kaiser Health News and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar of the Associated Press discuss the details. Jackie Judd moderates.
Liberals Brace For Fight Over Scope Of Health Legislation
House Democratic leaders are preparing to unveil a sweeping health overhaul plan that will set the stage for a fight over the most contentious issues. The bill embraces liberal principles even as moderates and conservatives in both parties argue for changes in areas such as taxation and the role of the government in providing insurance.
Blue Dogs Should Look Beyond Cost Containment for Progress on Health Care
Make no mistake: It’d be a huge disappointment not to make progress on cost and quality. But incremental progress is still progress.
While advocates say insurance exchanges would stimulate price competition and give consumers new choices, there’s also a risk these programs could undermine the employer-based health insurance system. Here are nine questions and answers about exchanges and their role in health reform.
Exchanges May Play Key Role In An Overhauled Health System
Insurance exchanges are a critical part of proposed health system overhaul legislation. They could transform how insurance is sold. But experts warn that without the right structure and rules, exchanges could undermine the employer-based insurance system.
“Partnership” Policies for Long-Term Care Hold Promise–and Pitfalls
To encourage people to buy long-term care insurance, more states are starting programs that allow people to keep some assets if they exhaust insurance benefits and need to go on Medicaid. Without such an arrangement, they would have to “spend down” assets to qualify for Medicaid. But, experts warn, the policies need strong inflation protections.
Is the Price of Bipartisanship Eliminating Insurance Coverage for Abortion?
If denying important health services to women is the price of bipartisanship, then perhaps winning those one or two Republican votes in the Senate or holding on to some socially conservative Democrats isn’t worth the price of jeopardizing women’s health and well-being.
Small Business Owners Deliver Mixed Messages To Capitol Hill
Small business organizations are encouraging members to make their views about health overhaul proposals known through emails, letters, phone calls and personal visits to Capitol Hill. But small business, a powerful constituency in every congressional district, no longer speaks with one voice on health care.
Hospitals, After Agreeing to Cuts, Push Ahead With a Full Agenda
Hospital officials today agreed to federal-payment cuts to help pay for a health care overhaul. They hope their concessions will build good will with the Obama administration and Democratic lawmakers. They’re pressing for action on a host of other issues, including Medicaid reimbursements and funding for graduate medical education.
A Passionate Voice For Single Payer
Donna Smith is a cancer survivor whose personal experience with insurance has driven her to become a full-time advocate for a single-payer health system, which would replace private insurers with a single, tax-funded government program.
True Believers: Selling a Single-Payer System, Despite a Lack of Buyers
Largely ignored by lawmakers and administration officials, advocates of a government-run health system nevertheless are doggedly campaigning for a regime they say would be less expensive and more efficient-as well as morally superior-to the changes being debated in Congress.
Transcript: KHN’s Health On The Hill
Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News, Carrie Budoff Brown of Politico and Jeffrey Young of The Hill discuss health care reform as Congress returns from its July 4th recess.
Health On The Hill – July 6, 2009
Mary Agnes Carey of KHN, Carrie Budoff Brown of Politico and the Hill’s Jeffrey Young discuss details of health overhaul bills in the House and Senate as Congress pushes towards having legislation on the floor before the August recess.
National Long-Term Care Insurance: How Much Would It Cost?
Sen. Ted Kennedy’s long-term care insurance proposal leaves an important question unanswered: How much would the the premium be?
When the Government Runs Health Insurance
Much of the health care reform debate centers on the Democratic push to create a government-run insurance option for working age Americans and their families. But shouldn’t policymakers take a hard look at Medicare–the largest health insurance program in the country–before moving ahead to create something similar for everyone else?
New Kind of Film Noir: Health Care
While lawmakers are targeting rising costs and growing numbers of uninsured, a new crop of health care-focused documentaries offer a darker, more conspiratorial view: Powerful vested interests lusting for profits are responsible for the country’s medical malaise.
Co-Op Option Offers Compromise In Health Debate
The idea of insurance co-ops is gaining ground as an alternative to a government-run plan.
Hot-Button Health Issue: Is Medicaid or Private Insurance Better for the Poor Uninsured?
Medicaid’s role in health reform is emerging as a flash point, exposing policy and political rifts not only between the two parties but also among Democrats themselves.
Revolving-Door Patients Illustrate Health System Flaws
Patients who are readmitted to the hospital soon after they’re discharged cost the health care system billions of dollars a year in unnecessary spending. These “frequent fliers,” as doctors sometimes call them, illustrate the worst aspects of poorly coordinated care. Innovative programs may serve as models for fixing the problems.
