Latest KFF Health News Stories
In addition, Florida health experts say that state’s decision not to pursue the expansion is “bad for business.”
Calif. Health Exchange Awards $37 Million For Health Law Education Efforts
The grants will go to 48 organizations to help the state explain benefits, show consumers how to access insurance and encourage small businesses to participate.
Vermont Lawmakers OK Doc-Assisted Suicide
The state will become the first to use a legislative vote to legalize physician-assisted suicide after the governor, who has expressed his support for the measure, signs the bill.
State Roundup: Veto Of Medical Charity Tax Break Scrutinized In Ga.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Georgia, New York, Florida, California and Kansas.
Medicaid: Lawsuit Alleges Conn. Application Backlog Breaks Federal Law
Medicaid doctors continue to wait for their pay raise — five months after they were supposed to get it. In Connecticut, some allege a backlog of applications for the program breaks federal law, and are suing to stop it.
Are The Health Law’s Coverage Requirements Scaling Back Some Restaurants’ Expansion Plans?
The Wall Street Journal reports how uncertainty about the expense of insuring employees could be leading to a slow down by some fast-food chains.
House Slated To Vote On Health Law Repeal — For The 37th Time
House Republicans have scheduled a vote to undo the health law. This vote marks the 37th time the chamber has considered legislation to repeal, defund or strike all or part of the measure. Meanwhile, The Washington Post fact checks how many pages of regulations exist regarding Obamacare. Also, House and Senate lawmakers continue questioning Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on her search for private funds for the health law’s implementation.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the latest Congressional Budget Office projections could further stall efforts to reach a grand bargain that includes changes to Medicare and other entitlement programs.
Doctors Transform How They Practice Medicine
Physicians are experimenting with new business models and practice techniques in response to financial and lifestyle pressures.
Most Doctors Still Waiting On Medicaid Pay Raise
Five months after primary care doctors who treat Medicaid patients were supposed get a big pay raise, most physicians have yet to see it. Only three states have implemented the pay raise — Nevada, Michigan and Massachusetts, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The two-year pay hike is intended to entice more doctors to treat […]
Angelina Jolie, Genetic Testing, And The ACA
Dr. Otis Brawley, the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, is on the record with a quick post on Angelina Jolie’s startling announcement in a New York Times op-ed that she has had a prophylactic double mastectomy to cut her inherited risk of breast cancer. Jolie’s mother, actress Marcheline Bertrand, died of cancer at […]
GOP Probes Sebelius’ Fundraising For Health Law Outreach
Congressional Republicans want to know whom she contacted and which other HHS officials are involved, while Sen. Lamar Alexander said he would ask the Government Accountability Office to investigate. A Sebelius spokesman said her actions were legal and that she had not solicited pharmaceutical and insurance companies regulated by the agency.
Administration Issues Proposed Rule On Medicaid DSH Payment Reductions
These payments, known as disproportionate share hospital payments, go to hospitals that treat a high number of uninsured patients.
CMS Won’t Penalize Hospitals In States Slow To Expand Medicaid
That sigh of relief you heard Monday was from hospital administrators in nearly two dozen states, including Florida and Texas. That’s because the Obama administration announced that for the next two years, it doesn’t plan to penalize states that have yet to expand Medicaid coverage under the federal health law by targeting them for reduced Medicaid funding, according […]
Many Docs Reject Medicaid — A Cause For Concern As The Expansion Approaches
McClatchy reports that projections highlight how the shortage of physicians in general as well as those who choose not to accept Medicaid patients could undermine the health law’s intent. Also in the news, fits and starts surround this health law provision in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio and Colorado.
State Roundup: Ore. Health Co-Ops To Compete With Big Insurers
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado and California.
Probe Of Medicare Advantage Leak Finds Wide Speculation On Deal
The Wall Street Journal reports many people were talking about a possible compromise.
Subsidiary Of Indian Drug Firm Pleads Guilty, Agrees To $500 Million Penalty
Ranbaxy USA admits to selling adulterated drugs and lying to regulators.
Obama Administration Asks Appeals Court To Delay Judge’s Order On Emergency Contraceptive
The Justice Department is asking for a stay of a federal judge’s order that would make the drug available over the counter to women of any age.
‘Navigators’ To Play Pivotal Role Helping Consumers Sign Up For Health Insurance
Roll Call reports that many of the people who sign up for insurance through the new online marketplaces will face language barriers, or may never have had coverage before. Also, CQ HealthBeat reports that Web-based insurance brokers want “a place at the table.”