Latest KFF Health News Stories
President Obama Discusses Health Reform At Children’s Hospital
President Obama spoke about health reform at the Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Health on the Hill – July 20, 2009
The House Energy and Commerce Committee continues its consideration of health care overhaul legislation this week while Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is still developing his panel’s health care package. Meanwhile, President Obama is pressing lawmakers to keep the momentum going on health care and has scheduled several public appearances this week to discuss health care legislation.
Health On The Hill Transcript – July 20, 2009
Today, Kaiser Health News’ Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin, join Jackie Judd to discuss the busy week ahead for Congress and health reform.
White House Moves To Calm Health Care Bill Fears
The White House is fighting back against accusations that the health care overhaul bills moving through Congress would actually increase health spending rather than save money over the long haul.
Who Will Care for the Elderly and Disabled?
There are two separate problems that led to the shortage of health care workers to treat the elderly and disabled.
Checking In With Fitzhugh Mullan
Pediatrician Fitzhugh Mullan has been practicing public service medicine for more than 40 years. In a new essay in the journal Health Affairs, he calls on activists to resurrect “the fire of the Civil Rights movement” in their quest for universal health care.
‘Model’ Health Systems Press Case For Medicare Fix In Reform
When talking about his vision for the U.S. health care system, President Barack Obama points to places like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Intermountain Healthcare in Utah, which are known for providing high-quality, low-cost care.
Transcript: President Obama On Health Reform
President Barack Obama delivered remarks from the White House on health reform.
Obama’s Remarks on Health Reform
President Barack Obama delivered remarks from the White House on health reform. He urged Congress not to postpone passing health care legislation.
The hot new concept in health care–Accountable Care Organizations– would get a test run in pilot projects included in health overhaul legislation.
Blue Dogs’ Health Demands Get Boost From CBO
A leader of the Blue Dog Coalition of conservative House Democrats says he and six others in the group would vote together to block the health overhaul bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee unless changes were made to slow the rate of growth of federal health care spending, a concern raised by CBO Director Elmendorf yesterday.
Comments By CBO Director Underscore Conservatives’ Health Bill Concerns
A leader of the Blue Dog Coalition of conservative House Democrats said today that he and six others in the group will vote together to block health care legislation in committee unless changes are made to slow the rate of growth of federal health care spending and to ensure that rural hospitals are adequately reimbursed for treating new patients under the legislation.
Health Overhaul Bills Move Forward On Capitol Hill
A health overhaul bill cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee yesterday, which it passed 13-10 on a party-line vote. Meanwhile, Democrats in the House of pushed held the first hearing on their version of health reform.
A Closer Look at Those Industry Deals
Far from being “game-changers,” the agreements are the same old Washington game of bribes, backroom deals, profiteering and protectionism.
Transcript: President Obama On Health Reform
President Barack Obama spoke today in the Rose Garden on health care reform. The White House released his remarks. He spoke about the importance of nurses in the health care system.
For Many Workers, Insurance Choices May be Limited
President Obama and leading Democrats have stressed that people who like their employer-sponsored insurance would be able to keep it, under a health care overhaul. But they haven’t emphasized the flip side: That people who don’t like their coverage might have to keep it.
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.
