Justices Bound to See ACA as ‘Indispensable,’ Says Californian Leading Defense
By Samantha Young
November 9, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in a case that could overturn the Affordable Care Act. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who is defending the law with the backing of more than 20 other states, told California Healthline that he predicts the justices will uphold it.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The ACA Turns 14
March 21, 2024
Podcast
Saturday marks the 14th anniversary of the still somewhat embattled Affordable Care Act. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra joins host Julie Rovner to discuss the accomplishments of the health law — and the challenges it still faces. Also this week, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Mary Agnes Carey of KFF Health News join Rovner to discuss what should be the final funding bill for HHS for fiscal 2024, next week’s Supreme Court oral arguments in a case challenging abortion medication, and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Maybe It’s a Health Care Election After All
March 14, 2024
Podcast
Health care wasn’t expected to be a major theme for this year’s elections. But as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured their respective party nominations this week, the future of both Medicare and the Affordable Care Act appears to be up for debate. Meanwhile, the cyberattack of the UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Change Healthcare continues to do damage to the companies’ finances with no quick end in sight. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Kelly Henning of Bloomberg Philanthropies about a new, four-part documentary series on the history of public health, “The Invisible Shield.” Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too.
Hoping to Clear the Air in Casinos, Workers Seek to Ban Tobacco Smoke
By Sandy West
January 11, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Casinos in several states are fighting efforts to ban smoking, and trying to roll back existing anti-smoking laws. One planned facility even moved outside a city’s limits because of voter-approved smoking restrictions.
Biden Wants States to Ensure Obamacare Plans Cover Enough Doctors and Hospitals
By Julie Appleby
December 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The regulatory proposal was announced Nov. 15 and is likely one of the last major ACA policy efforts of the president’s first term.
In Arizona Race, McSally Makes Health Care Pledge At Odds With Track Record
By Shefali Luthra
June 29, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The use of the word “always” makes this claim a stretch.
With DACA Ruling, Did Supreme Court Grant Trump New Powers To Reshape Health Care?
By Jon Greenberg, PolitiFact
July 24, 2020
KFF Health News Original
There’s a theory now being embraced by President Donald Trump that the Supreme Court’s recent DACA decision makes it harder for a new president to undo the executive action of a predecessor. He cited it in a recent interview, saying that finding gave him the power to issue new health care and immigration plans. And some legal scholars disagree.
Without Ginsburg, Judicial Threats to the ACA, Reproductive Rights Heighten
By Julie Rovner
September 21, 2020
KFF Health News Original
With the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a lawsuit brought by Republican state officials has become the latest existential threat against the federal health law, scheduled for oral arguments at the Supreme Court a week after the general election in November.
Sen. Graham Complains That 3 Blue States Get a Third of ACA Funding
By Phil Galewitz
October 29, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Sen. Lindsey Graham insinuates that the law is sending a disproportionate amount of money to New York, California and Massachusetts, all represented by Democrats.
Pandemic’s Bumps and Backlash Shape Montana Race Poised to Steer US Senate
By Alex Sakariassen
August 5, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Gov. Steve Bullock’s response to the pandemic has helped raise his profile as he challenges incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines. But it also complicates the campaign as the state sees a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and voters question some of the governor’s actions.
A $10,000 Obamacare Penalty? Doubtful.
By Victoria Knight
October 29, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Experts said a penalty of $10,000 in one year would have been extremely unlikely.
Trump’s Claim He ‘Saved’ Preexisting Conditions ‘Part Fantasy, Part Delusion’
By Shefali Luthra
January 15, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The claim, which builds on previous statements and campaign messaging, drew strong reactions.
Promises Kept? On Health Care, Trump’s Claims of ‘Monumental Steps’ Don’t Add Up
By Julie Rovner and Phil Galewitz
September 28, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The president entered office seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act, revamp Medicaid and drive down prescription drug prices, among other things. He’s hit some stone walls.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': As US Bumps Against Debt Ceiling, Medicare Becomes a Bargaining Chip
January 19, 2023
Podcast
The debt ceiling crisis facing Washington puts Medicare and other popular entitlement programs squarely on the negotiating table this year as newly empowered Republicans demand spending cuts. Meanwhile, as more Americans than ever have health insurance, the nation’s health care workforce is straining under the load. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KHN’s chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these topics and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: The Health Care Campaign
November 21, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Health care is still a top issue in the Democratic primary debate for president, but the candidates’ complicated plans may be doing more to confuse than to educate voters. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Caitlin Owens of Axios and Julie Appleby of Kaiser Health News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more health news. Also, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week.
Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care
By Reed Abelson, The New York Times and Jordan Rau
November 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The United States has no coherent system of long-term care, leading many to struggle to stay independent or rely on a patchwork of solutions.
Democrats Press High Court To Make Call On ACA. How It Could Play Out At Polls.
By Julie Rovner
January 8, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Democrats have asked the Supreme Court to take up an appeals court ruling that could invalidate some or all of the federal health law. It’s not clear the court will take the case, but the efforts will carry consequences for both Democrats and Republicans.
The Case Of The ACA’s Disappearing Taxes
By Julie Rovner
November 20, 2019
KFF Health News Original
When passing the Affordable Care Act, Democrats touted the fact that they had included many measures to pay for the bill’s expanded coverage. But nearly 10 years later, many of the “pay-fors” have been eliminated.
Biden Is Caught in the Middle of Polarizing Abortion Politics
By Julie Rovner
July 12, 2021
KFF Health News Original
The president, one of the last of a disappearing group of politicians who sought moderate compromises on abortion policy, is frustrating supporters. They wanted faster changes in federal rules. But abortion opponents — including Catholic bishops— are also taking him to task.
The Values Of Health Care
June 25, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Julie Rovner, the chief Washington correspondent for Kaiser Health News, joins Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Alan Weil of Health Affairs at the Aspen Ideas: Health festival to discuss how consumers’ values impact the politics surrounding the national debate on health care.