Julie Appleby reports on the implementation of the health care overhaul law, the interplay of health care treatments and costs, trends in health insurance, and policy issues affecting hospitals and other medical providers. Her KHN stories have appeared in USA Today, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer and MSNBC, among others. Before joining KHN in March 2009, Appleby spent 10 years on the health care industry and policy beat for USA Today. She also worked at the
San Francisco Chronicle, the
Financial Times in London and the
Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek, Calif. She serves on the board of the Association of Health Care Journalists and her education includes a Master of Public Health degree. |
Contact: JulieA@kff.org
Two-thirds of employers would raise deductibles, change insurers or scale back coverage to avoid the so-called Cadillac tax on high-cost benefits proposed in the Senate Democrats’ health care bill, a survey to be released Thursday by consulting firm Mercer says.
Dec 03, 2009
According to analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, the Senate Democrats' health care overhaul bill would substantially reduce premium costs for 57 percent of people who buy subsidized coverage through new exchanges, while rates would hold steady or decline slightly for large and small employers.
Nov 30, 2009
If a Democratic health bill passes,certain individuals and small businesses initially would pay more for insurance, while others would pay less, experts predict. But the long-term outlook is less clear.
Nov 25, 2009
The Senate and House health bills differ in important ways. We ask and answer questions consumers might have about the bills.
Nov 20, 2009
Legislation approved by the House Saturday would bar insurers from selling policies that cover abortion if purchased with federal subsidies. There are already states that have similar policies.
Nov 10, 2009
Legislation seeks to limit the amount low-and middle-income people will pay for health insurance. But a shift in the way their share of the premium is calculated in the second year of the program may make it more expensive.
Oct 29, 2009
People are worried in towns like Warsaw, Ind., considered the "orthopedic device manufacturing capital" of the world. The industry is fighting the $4 billion-a-year tax included in the Senate Finance Committee bill to help pay for health reform.
Oct 14, 2009
Long-time advocate for health care reform says current Democratic proposals don't offer consumers enough choice, which he says creates competition and makes coverage more affordable.
Sep 18, 2009
The GOP's plans – which would revamp medicaid and create new medical malpractice courts -- have little chance of passage, but are having an impact on the debate.
Sep 16, 2009
Bill raises questions among some Conservatives, who worry it creates a new bureaucracy.
Sep 16, 2009