Mary Agnes Carey has covered health reform and federal health policy for more than 15 years as an editor at
CQ HealthBeat, as Capitol Hill Bureau Chief for
Congressional Quarterly and at Dow Jones Newswires. A frequent radio and television commentator, recently featured on the Nightly Business Report, the PBS NewsHour and on NPR affiliates nationwide, Mary Agnes has a thorough understanding of both the policy and politics of health reform. She worked for newspapers in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.
| Contact: MaryAgnesC@kff.org
Despite the political risks of changing the popular program, Republicans - including Budget Comm. Chairman Paul Ryan - will offer overhaul plans soon.
Apr 03, 2011
If eligibility went up to age 67, the federal government would save $7.6 billion but total costs would rise more than that for seniors, employers and states.
Mar 29, 2011
The health law provides a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs and 7 percent for generics once beneficiaries reach the doughnut hole.
Mar 22, 2011
In an interview with KHN, the former adviser to President George W. Bush and presidential candidate John McCain says the health law is standing in the way of reining in Medicare and Medicaid spending and that he always believed that the law “was a dead man walking.”
Mar 18, 2011
The Republican campaign to transform Medicaid could help set debate on the role of government and entitlements, with implications for the 2012 elections. Here's an FAQ on block grants.
Mar 06, 2011
Gov. Haley Barbour, R-Miss., renewed GOP calls for block grants to states to pay for Medicaid costs.
Mar 01, 2011
Federal officials are trying to soothe deficit-saddled governors headed for their winter meeting in Washington D.C.
Feb 25, 2011
In his 2012 budget, the president proposed a two-year, $54 billion solution to stop the scheduled cuts to doctors who treat Medicare patients. The plan draws on savings from a variety of sources, including states, drug makers – even power wheelchair retailers.
Feb 14, 2011
Starting this year, affluent Medicare beneficiaries will begin paying more than the standard premium for their Part D coverage.
Feb 11, 2011
An Obama administration memo details flexibility to determine which insurers can participate in health insurance exchanges, tailor Medicaid programs and even offer health savings accounts.
Feb 10, 2011