Latest KFF Health News Stories
N.C. Governor Signs Law Tightening Abortion Clinic Regulations
Critics say the new law — and stricter standards — will force most abortion clinics to close.
Study Finds Doctors Not Following Medical Guidelines On Back Pain
Researchers report that physicians are often overly aggressive by prescribing addictive narcotics to patients instead of other recommended drugs and too often using surgery and unneeded imaging tools.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a USA Today story reporting that personal health care costs rose in the 12 months ending in May at the slowest rate in the last 50 years — a finding that makes the White House happy.
Benefits On Health Marketplace Plans Will Be Similar But Costs Will Vary
In response to readers’ questions, columnist explains that all policies offered on the online exchanges must cover 10 “essential health benefits,” but the plans will be classified according to the proportion of costs that consumers will be responsible for paying.
HHS Inspector General Scrutinizes Medicare Observation Care Policy
The difference between inpatient and observational care status can have a big effect on Medicare beneficiaries — both in terms of the bills they face and the post-hospital options available to them.
Moratorium Targets Houston Ambulance Service Providers
This story was produced in partnership with The federal government has announced a six-month moratorium to halt enrollment of Houston-area ambulance service providers in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program in a bid to combat waste. The moratorium, announced last week, marks the first use of a new law created by the Affordable Care […]
KHN Reporters Answer Health Law Questions
Kaiser Health News’ reporters Mary Agnes Carey, Jay Hancock and Sarah Varney talked about a variety of issues related to the health law’s implementation on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal Monday morning. KHN reporters will be returning to C-SPAN’s Washington Journal each Monday throughout the summer. Tune in each week to stay informed about the latest developments […]
Enrolling Healthy, Young Adults Crucial To Success Of New Health-Care Law
For the growing campaign to enroll the uninsured in health insurance as part of the monumental health-care overhaul, signing up healthy young adults – the “young invincibles” – is crucial to success.
How The Other Washington May Hold The Key To The Medicare Cost Crisis
Washington state saves money by ending insurance coverage for medical procedures that are unsafe, unproven or cost too much. Why can’t Medicare do the same?
Selling Of Obamacare Begins In Earnest
President Barack Obama tells the New York Times that his plan to build support for the health law is simply to implement it. Meanwhile, high level aides and supporters meet to craft a new message, while volunteers for the nonprofit Enroll America fan out across the country to tell the uninsured about new coverage options.
Maryland Regulators Approve Premium Rates Much Lower Than Insurers Sought
The Maryland insurance commissioner Therese M. Goldsmith approved premium increases Friday for nine insurance companies who applied to sell plans to individuals through a state exchange, which was established by the health law.
Effort To Defund Health Law Complicates Budget Talks
The Wall Street Journal reports that Obama administration officials are stepping up meetings with Senate Republicans in hopes of avoiding a deadline clash over federal spending this fall. One of the flashpoints is the Republican demand to defund Obamacare as part of any deal.
U.S. Bans New Home Health, Ambulance Providers In Three High-Fraud Cities From Medicare, Medicaid
Federal officials are temporarily banning certain types of home health and ambulance providers in three major, high-fraud cities from enrolling in Medicare or Medicaid.
This Week On Capitol Hill: Repeal Vote Number 40
The House of Representatives will consider a bill that would prevent the Internal Revenue Service from implementing the law. Specifically, it states that neither the Treasury secretary nor any designee of the Treasury secretary may implement any part of the Affordable Care Act.
Fewer Doctors Treating Medicare Patients, CMS Says
Amid payment rates and rules they dislike, more doctors are opting to not treat Medicare patients, say the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In the meantime, health care providers ready different models to change how Medicare pays doctors.
Proposed Abortion Ban Breeds New Generation Of GOP Leaders
A new generation of Republican leaders band together under the abortion-issue umbrella.
Federal Appeals Court Rejects Company’s Contraception Coverage Challenge
The court’s divided decision makes it more likely the Supreme Court will have to decide if companies making a secular product have to provide contraception coverage to their employees — a major tenet of the 2010 health care law.
Mississippi, Nevada Wrestle With The Development Of Their Health Exchanges
In other state and local health law implementation news, the health law may prove key to Detroit’s efforts to manuever its bankruptcy process. Also, opponents in many states focus on limiting what they see as “the long arm of Washington.”
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Mass. Insurers Back Out Of Disabled Adults Experiment
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts and California.