Latest KFF Health News Stories
GOP: Public Plan Option Big Obstacle To Health Reform
Democrats and Republicans moved further apart this afternoon over the possibility of including a public plan in any health care reform legislation.
I was on a phone call with fellow health policy types back during the presidential primary season when the conversation turned to pay-for-performance.
A Consumer’s Guide to Health Care Reform
How Congress decides several important issues could affect how millions of Americans get and pay for insurance and medical care.
Transcript of President Obama’s Remarks On Health Reform
President Barack Obama urges reform of the U.S. health care system in a meeting at the White House with Senate Democrats.
Why Higher Taxes Will Improve Your Health
Already, you can hear the opponents of health care reform making a familiar argument: It will mean huge new taxes. Although they’re exaggerating–the tax hikes wouldn’t be “huge”–you should be willing to pay these new taxes. Happily.
NJ Hospital Fight Foreshadows Health Reform Challenges
A battle over whether to build a new hospital in northeastern New Jersey illustrates the formidable obstacles confronting President Obama and Congress as they try to mine savings from the $2.5 trillion health care system.
Big, Small or Nothing At All? Three Scenarios For Health Reform
With the health care debate about to erupt on Capitol Hill, a look at three ways it could turn out.
Don’t Ignore Long-Term Care During Health Debate
Sen. Ted Kennedy is vowing to make long-term care insurance part of health reform. But even he has an uphill struggle to make sure it’s included in any broad-based bill.
Is Universal Coverage Comparatively Effective?
As congressional Democrats prepare to deliver on President Barack Obama’s goal of “expanding coverage to all Americans” an important question remains unanswered: is universal coverage worth the money? Not only is there “no evidence” to show that universal coverage is the most cost-effective use of our $2 trillion, the benefits may not exceed the costs at all.
Message From Massachusetts: Insurance Requirement Can Provoke Anger
If Congress wants all Americans to get health insurance, it will have to win over people like Gary Cloutier, owner of Cloots Auto Body Shop in Westfield, Mass. He says he just can’t afford it.
Health Care Reform Newsmaker Series: Sen. Orrin Hatch
This May 7, 2009 webcast features Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, and ranking Republican on the panel’s Subcommittee on Health Care.
Health Reform Controversy: Opening Medicare to People Under 65
Will allowing younger people to buy coverage ease a health-care problem or break an already overburdened program?
Health Care Reform Newsmaker Series: Nancy-Ann DeParle
Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform, appeared as the third guest in a series of Health Care Reform newsmaker briefings sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Families USA and the National Federation of Independent Business.
Paying for COBRA, Waiting for Discount
Some people who qualify for the economic stimulus package’s COBRA subsidies are still waiting for the “lifeline.” Reporter Rick Schmitt, who was laid off in November, writes about the hurdles he has experienced while trying to get the subsidy.
Health Care Reform Newsmaker Series: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking Republican member of the Senate Committee on Finance, appeared as the first guest in a new series of Health Care Reform newsmaker briefings sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Families USA and the National Federation of Independent Business.
Health Care Reform Newsmaker Series: Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, appeared as the first guest in a new series of Health Care Reform newsmaker briefings sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Families USA and the National Federation of Independent Business.
