Latest 窪蹋勛圖厙 News Stories
KHNs What the Health?: Funding for the Next Pandemic
In his proposed budget, President Joe Biden called for a boost in health spending that includes billions of dollars to prepare for a future pandemic. But that doesnt include money he says is needed immediately for testing and treating covid-19. Also this week, federal regulators authorized a second booster shot for people 50 and older yet gave little guidance to consumers about who needs the shot and when. Amy Goldstein of The Washington Post, Jennifer Haberkorn of the Los Angeles Times, and Rachana Pradhan of KHN join KHNs Mary Agnes Carey to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Julie Rovner interviews KHNs Julie Appleby, who reported and wrote the latest KHN-NPR Bill of the Month episode about a very expensive air ambulance ride.
Employers Are Scaling Back Their Dependence On High-Deductible Health Plans
Firms are offering more traditional plans alongside or instead of the plans with sky-high deductibles that may have been the only option in the past. The change comes as employers are finding that workers like the predictability of a traditional plan and that providing more generous plans can help with recruiting in a tight labor market.
Health Plans Cadillac Tax May Finally Be Running Out Of Gas
The tax on generous health plans originally envisioned as a way to help pay for the ACA and change consumers behavior has never been implemented, and Congress is considering repeal.
KHNs What The Health?: We Answer Your Questions
You asked about drug prices, the Cadillac tax on generous insurance plans and why Americans dont know that most other countries also have combination public-private insurance systems. This week, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Caitlin Owens of Axios join KHNs Julie Rovner to answer those questions.
KHNs What The Health?: Biden Doubles Down On Obamacare
Presidential candidate Joe Biden unveiled a health plan intended to provide a more moderate alternative to his competitors Medicare for All plans. It would build on the Affordable Care Act but would go much further. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHNs Julie Rovner to discuss this, plus Planned Parenthoods very bad week, the U.S. House vote to repeal the health laws Cadillac tax on generous health plans, and the reduction in deaths from opioids.
High-Deductible Health Plans Fall From Grace In Employer-Based Coverage
Once viewed as a promising cost-control tool, such insurance faces new competition on benefits menus from more traditional insurance. But, according to new research, none of those choices is getting less expensive.
Insurers Can Bend Out-Of-Network Rules For Patients Who Need Specific Doctors
Individuals who require very specialized care for their health are advised to make their case when a plan doesnt cover their doctor.
GOP Overhaul Would Keep Obamacare’s ‘Cadillac Tax,’ But Delay It Until 2025
Although Republicans flirted with the idea of changing the tax code so that the value of employer-sponsored health insurance is added to workers tax liability, House leaders decided to instead keep the ACAs tax on insurers and employers that provide generous coverage.
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.
Trump, GOP In Congress Could Use ‘Must-Pass’ Bills To Bring Health Changes
Some must-pass health legislation next year could give the new administration a vehicle for some proposals that might not be able to clear political or procedural hurdles on their own.
Health Plan Watchdog Still Seeks Progress After 25 Years
Increased comparative information on health plans is helping consumers shop, says Margaret OKane, president of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
A Looming Tax On High-End Health Plans Draws Fire From Many Sides
A plan to tax high-value health insurance plans is meeting stiff resistance from both sides of the aisle in Congress despite calls to make employers more demanding health coverage shoppers and the $87 billion in revenue the tax could generate over the next decade.
