Latest KFF Health News Stories
D.C. Abortion Rights Law Blocked By The House
Late Thursday night, the House approved — on a largely party-line vote — a Republican-backed measure that overturns a D.C. law prohibiting workplace discrimination based on reproductive health choices.
House Passes GOP Compromise Budget Blueprint; Takes Aim At Obamacare
In addition to paving the way for the Republican-controlled Congress to send a health law repeal measure to the president’s desk, the budget framework also includes $430 billion in cuts to Medicare as well as trims to Medicaid, food stamps and other safety net programs. The Senate is expected to consider the combined budget next week.
Republicans Mull Next Move If High Court Voids Subsidies
One option would continue federal exchange subsidies through the 2016 presidential election in exchange for concessions from the president to end the individual and employer insurance mandate. Meanwhile, the 2015 special enrollment period ends in most states today.
Fla. Lawmakers, Governor At Odds On How To Solve Budget Stalemate Over Medicaid Expansion
The Republican leader of the Senate has proposed a timetable for a special session to hammer out a deal, but it’s not yet clear if House leaders, who adamantly oppose expanding Medicaid, will agree.
Study Finds Hospitals In Medicaid Expansion States Are Better Off
Hospitals lose less money on charity care when the states have expanded the health coverage for low-income residents. Also, news outlets look at developments in the Medicaid debates in Kansas, Maine, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Medicare Releases Trove Of Data On Drug Spending, Doctor Prescribing
The release marks the most specific breakdown ever provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the prescription claims of Medicare beneficiaries.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Running Out Of Money Is More Than Just A Worry For Many Seniors, Study Finds
About 12 percent of people 85 and older who died had no assets left and 20 percent had only their homes, according to the research. But even people who die much younger can face similar financial problems.
Decoding Your Diagnosis: Psychiatrists Unveil Plain-English Guide For Patients
The American Psychiatric Association is releasing a new resource, Understanding Mental Disorders: Your Guide To DSM-5, to give patients and their families a better understanding of what these conditions involve and arm them with tools to advocate for their care.
Medicare Itemizes Its $103 Billion Drug Bill
Federal officials release data showing prescription histories of hundreds of thousands of doctors and identifying the most common and costly drugs.
Hope, Hurdles In Mental Health: A Medicaid Managed Care Firm’s First Year
Some say Cardinal’s first year’s performance has eased fears about care in Charlotte, N.C., but gaps and challenges remain.
Viewpoints: Obama’s ‘Squandered’ Legacy; Challenges Of Telemedicine; New Genetic Tests
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets cover health care issues in North Carolina, Michigan, California, Massachusetts, Texas, Maryland, Indiana, Kansas and Minnesota.
In Third Attempt, N.C. Senate Passes Autism Coverage Bill
A bill to cover autism treatment has been passed twice by the North Carolina House of Representatives, only to die in the Senate. This week a third bill made it through. Meanwhile, Georgia now requires that insurers provide coverage for autistic children under six as the governor signs the legislation.
Texas, Ala. Consider Further Abortion Restrictions
Elsewhere, the House considers a vote disapproving of a D.C. law stopping employers from firing employees for abortions or contraception use.
R.I. Wrestles With Ways To Reduce State’s Medicaid Costs
Governor Gina Raimondo has advanced proposals to reduce Rhode Island’s Medicaid spending by $90 million to balance the state budget and free up resources to invest in her economic development efforts. Meanwhile, in other news, Massachusetts is also facing health care spending challenges and companies participating in KanCare lose money.
Hospitals Prove Their Importance In Rural Towns
In other news, California hospitals get low grades on patient safety, and South Carolina lawmakers move a bill to make it easier to open new hospitals. Other hospital news comes from Illinois and Georgia.
Doctors Kicked Out Of Medicare Still Billing State Medicaid Programs
Reuters’ special report analyzing state and federal data found that more than one in five doctors or health care providers of the thousands banned from billing Medicare or one state Medicaid program — usually due to an infraction — were still able to file claims under another state’s program. Several states have launched investigations based on the findings.
Hint Of Higher Hospital Spending Sends Health Insurer Stocks Plummeting
Despite the higher cost indications from Humana officials, most of the nation’s biggest insurers have hiked earnings expectations for 2015 based on strong first-quarter results.
Auditor: States Might Be Propping Up Exchanges Illegally
A federal auditor warns that some states may be using federal grants illegally to finance their health insurance exchanges, which are supposed to be self-supporting. And an Urban Institute study finds small businesses are most vulnerable to steep insurance increases if the Supreme Court rejects federal-exchange subsidies, while a San Antonio experiment in payment reform produces results.