Kaiser Health News - Health Reform

Today's OpEds: Medicare Private Plans And The Health Law's Impact On Employer Coverage

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:23:02 GMT

Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Thursday's opinions and editorials from around America.

States And Firms Seek Health Reform Funds While Opposing Law

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:46:25 GMT

News outlets are reporting that some states and businesses who oppose parts or all of the health reform law are applying for the financial relief it provides.

Study: Health Overhaul's Tax Credit For Small Business Could Affect Millions

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:25:00 GMT

A Commonwealth Fund report has estimated that about 16.6 million workers are employed by small businesses eligible for health insurance tax credits under the new health law but that only 3.4 million of the workers are at companies that will take advantage of the credits.

KHN Column: Debunking Medicare Myths

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:17:34 GMT

Critics say Medicare Advantage plans are inefficient and costly. But those same critics oppose vouchers for Medicare -- even though that approach would set up a direct competition between the private plans and the traditional fee-for-service program.

First Edition: September 2, 2010

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:57:21 GMT

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a new study examining the impact of the health overhaul on the small business workforce.

Pawlenty Instructs Minnesota Agencies To Snub Health Law's Discretionary Funds

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:36:00 GMT

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, issued an executive order Tuesday instructing state agencies to reject discretionary federal funds that stem from the health overhaul.

Employers From Nearly Every Sector Of Economy Applying For Health Overhaul's Early Retiree Subsidies

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:35:00 GMT

Among those employers are seven state governments involved in lawsuits to block a key aspect of the new health law from taking effect.

Today's Opinions: Pawlenty's Order Against The Health Overhaul, Repealing The Health Law And More About Health Care Costs

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:29:33 GMT

Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Wednesday's opinions and editorials from around America.

Health Reform Politics: Florida Court On Ballot Question; Repeal Campaign Touted By Conservatives; Nebraska Flap

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:57:47 GMT

The Christian Science Monitor reports that the Florida Supreme Court voted 5-2 Tuesday to exclude a ballot measure to repeal health reform in that state because the language used in the question is misleading.

Federal Domestic Spending Increased A Record 16%

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:38:45 GMT

The Census Bureau reported Thursday that federal domestic spending reached $3.2 trillion in 2009. The "largest chunk" -- about 46 percent -- "went to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, entitlement programs that are projected to swell as the population ages." The Washington Post reports.

Repealing Health Reform: For Heritage Action, It Would Be A 'Grand Slam'

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:19:00 GMT

Michael Needham, the Heritage Foundation staffer in charge of the organization's action plan to repeal health reform, discusses part of the strategy involved in achieving this goal.

First Edition: September 1, 2010

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:10:05 GMT

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the health overhaul's early retiree subsidy program as well as a health reform policy declaration by Minnesota's governor that has triggered speculation about his plans for 2012.

Public Backing For Health Overhaul Wanes As Obama Administration Prepares For Midterms

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:38:00 GMT

Public support for the new health law slipped in August, "a development sure to stir concerns among the Obama administration and congressional Democrats seeking to shore up support for the law in the months leading up to the mid-term elections," Kaiser Health News reports.

More Health Overhaul Policies Settle In

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:37:00 GMT

The tangible effects of some early-arriving health overhaul policies are beginning to surface.

Today's Opinions: Health Law's Benefits For Workers; Dropping Repeal Efforts; The End Of Health Brokers

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:32:27 GMT

Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Tuesday's opinions and editorials from around America.

Models Show Complex Changes In Payment System, Revenue For Hospitals In Medicare

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:21:45 GMT

Modern Healthcare reports that health reform has left "industry executives scrambling to project what will happen to revenue and expenses in the coming decade."

Indiana Reports Fewer Preventable Medical Errors; Kansas Struggles To Meet Oral Health Needs

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:57:00 GMT

States address a range of health policy issues.

Michigan, New York Roll Out High-Risk Pools

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:46:07 GMT

States are rolling out their new high-risk pools, including Michigan and New York.

Support Slips For Health Reform Law, New KFF Poll Shows

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:17:17 GMT

As mid-term elections approach, the public is split over the law. Federal subsidies to help people buy insurance are popular, while a requirement that most Americans buy coverage isn’t.

First Edition: August 31, 2010

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:22:00 GMT

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that a new poll shows waning support for health reform as the mid-term elections near.