Latest KFF Health News Stories
Fewer Americans Paid Tax Penalty For Not Having Health Insurance In 2015
About 6.5 million Americans paid an average of $470 for not having health insurance in 2015, a requirement under the Affordable Care Act, the IRS reports.
Obama’s Health Care Legacy: A Landmark Becomes A Question Mark
President Barack Obama succeeded where many other presidents failed, but now the fate of the Affordable Care Act rests with President-elect Donald Trump.
Got A Raise? Congrats, But It Could Wreak Havoc On Your Subsidy Calculation
Health insurance subsidies are pegged to income estimates, but if those are too low, the customer may have to make a repayment to the government.
HHS Secretary: Give Medicare Authority To Negotiate Drug Prices
More work is needed to improve health care in U.S., but there are no “silver bullets” to get the job done, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell tells the National Press Club in a farewell speech defending Obamacare.
Obama’s Challenge To GOP: Show Me Your Plan Before Repealing Mine
In an interview and written commentary, the president comes out swinging about Republicans’ plans to delay a health law replacement, if they repeal the current law. That strategy, he said, “is, simply put, irresponsible.”
Only 20 Percent Of Americans Support Health Law Repeal Without Replacement Plan
A new poll shows that GOP lawmakers’ strategy lacks widespread support and most people are more concerned that health care is affordable and available.
In Towns That Lost Most Obamacare Insurers, Rate Increases Still Competitive
Premiums on 2017 plans are rising by comparable amounts both in counties where multiple insurers still compete and in those where only one insurer remains after several companies stopped selling individual plans under the health law, according to Avalere, a consulting firm.
Leading Republicans See A Costly Malpractice Crisis — Experts Don’t
The incoming HHS secretary wants to boldly reform the malpractice system, saying hundreds of billions are wasted on “lawsuit abuse” and defensive medicine. Industry experts say premiums and claims are down and “it’s a wonderful time for doctors.”
Vowing To Jettison Obamacare, Republicans Face Immediate Resistance And Risks
Republicans agree that they want to get rid of President Barack Obama’s signature achievement, but replacement strategies will be a heavy lift.
Bundled Payments Work, Study Finds, But HHS Nominee No Fan
A study found that Medicare’s bundled payments model for joint replacement could save the government billions of dollars without harming patient care.
For Some Patients In Marketplace Plans, Access To Cancer Centers Is Elusive
In a number of states, including big ones such as New York and Texas, leading cancer centers aren’t included in insurers’ provider networks.
Montana May Be Model For Medicaid Work Requirement
The Obama administration has said no to states taking more control over Medicaid, but the incoming Congress and White House may be more inclined to say yes.
If Republicans Repeal Health Law, How Will They Pay For Replacement?
As part of their efforts to get rid of the health law, Republicans have pledged to overturn all its taxes. But that might hamper their efforts to find a replacement.
Obamacare Enrollment Is Beating Last Year’s Early Pace
A record 6.4 million Americans signed up for plans through healthcare.gov in the first weeks of open enrollment – 400,000 more than last year at this time, federal officials say.
New Special Enrollment Rules Will Shift Paperwork Burden To Consumers
Federal officials provide details about a pilot project starting in June that will delay some consumers’ mid-year marketplace enrollment until they produce documentation proving eligibility.
Amid Sign-Up Surge, Covered California Extends Enrollment Deadline
Despite health law uncertainty, more than 25,000 new consumers chose new plans in just two days this week.
GOP’s Timetable For Getting Repeal To Trump May Be Ambitious
Republicans say they plan to pass a bill to overhaul the federal health law in the 17 days between when Congress convenes and Inauguration Day. But past congressional budget veterans say that could prove to be very difficult.
Without ACA Guarantees, 52 Million Adults Could Have Trouble Buying Individual Plans
More than a quarter of adults under the age of 65 have health problems that could lead to a denial of insurance if they were on the individual market and the health law’s protections were revoked under the overhaul planned by Republicans, according to research by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Marketplace Enrollment Still Important Despite Plans For Health Law Repeal
Republicans’ plans to overhaul the federal health law are not expected to take effect immediately, so consumers can still sign up for 2017 coverage.
Interstate Health Insurance Sales Has A Tryout In Georgia But No Takers
In 2011 the state, seeking to attract lower-cost insurance, enacted a law letting insurers sell any policy that they offer in other states, but no health insurer has taken advantage of it.
