Latest KFF Health News Stories
What Drives Costs In The Health Care Marketplace?
The New York Times examines how hospital mergers might be one of the health sector’s overlooked cost factors while Reuters reports on a recent study that examines what variables cause physicians to order unnecessary tests.
A selection of health policy stories from North Carolina, Alabama, New York, Georgia, Virginia and Maryland.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the health law’s implementation played in a recent town hall meeting as well as the action taken by one business in anticipation of its some of the requirements that will take effect in 2014.
NYC’s Answer To Proton Therapy Controversy: One For All
New York City has a very different approach to proton beam therapy, a controversial high-tech radiation treatment for cancer, than other major metropolitan areas. Hospitals were encouraged to collaborate and a medical “arms race” was avoided.
Colorado Offers Exchange ‘Assister’ Money To Many Groups
Obamacare in Colorado is getting down to the details, in dollars and cents. One of the 16 states that is setting up its own online insurance marketplace, Colorado on Monday named 58 organizations it’s selected to form its “assistance network” to help residents sign up for health coverage on the exchange. But just 11 organizations are […]
Study: Brand Name Drugs Drive Up Medicare Spending
A new study suggests that cash-strapped Medicare missed an opportunity to save more than $1 billion by not addressing the varying costs and use of prescription drugs. Comparing Medicare enrollees and those on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health plan, researchers found that Medicare beneficiaries were up to three times more likely than […]
Obama Administration Changes Course On Plan B
Monday afternoon, the Justice Department announced it would accept recent court rulings and begin putting into effect a judge’s order to have the Food and Drug Administration certify the Plan B pill for use without prescription and without age restrictions on sales.
The Health Law’s Implementation Gains And Pains
As Democrats begin campaigns to tout the health law’s benefits and states work to implement some of the overhaul’s central provisions, concerns about state budget pressures, program costs and civil liberties draw headlines.
Organ Transplant Board Calls For Review Of Child Policy, Creates New Appeal System
A panel of officials that decides matters on organ transplants called Monday for a review of the guidelines for issuing organs to children and created a special appeals process after two cases of children who need lung transplants drew congressional and judicial attention.
State Highlights: Medi-Cal Rate Cuts Loom; Latin American Docs Help Meet Need
A selection of health policy stories from California and Massachusetts.
Medicaid Expansion Decisions Still Brewing In Some GOP States
News outlets also report on the latest expansion news from Mississippi and Arizona.
Hospitals Attempt To Address Patient Noise Complaints
The Wall Street Journal reports on how hospital noise may play into the patient experience and might lead to penalties.
States Consider Rates, Legislation On Health Insurance Marketplaces
Rates for coverage offered through the online marketplaces make news in Minnesota and the District of Columbia, while bills in California could hold up the exchange’s rollout.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Insider Probe Over Medicare Rate Decision Hits Congress
News outlets report on developments in the story of alleged insider trading after a Medicare rate decision.
Missed Savings Opportunities In Medicare Program
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General concluded that as mucha s $1 billion could have been saved in 2011 had lower prices been negotiated for lab tests. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News reports on a study that details similar savings that could have been reaped through prescription drug costs.
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Reaches Record High
An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Mathematica Policy Research found that despite concerns the health law’s future payment cuts would have a chilling effect, Medicare Advantage enrollment increased by nearly 10 percent last year and by 30 percent since 2010.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of the Obama administration’s decision to drop the fight to keep age restrictions in place for Plan B emergency contraceptive pill sales.
Federal Rule Allows Higher Out-Of-Pocket Spending For One Year
The health law sets maximum limits on what consumers are required to pay, but officials are giving a one-year grace period in certain cases.
Despite Progress, African Americans Still Hard Hit By Medical Bills
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. For many years, high medical bills have been a leading cause of financial distress and bankruptcy in America. That pressure may be easing ever so slightly, according to a survey released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But one in five Americans still […]