Latest KFF Health News Stories
House And Senate Races Turning On Health, Abortion Issues
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is focusing on Medicare and women’s health issues in new TV ads, as Missouri Rep. Todd Akin strengthens his ties to evangelicals.
Okla. Lawsuit: First Test Of Legal Arguments Against Insurance Exchanges
Some of the lawsuit’s backers maintain that last summer’s Supreme Court health law decision would not be the “law’s last trip” to the high court.
State Roundup: Ore. Lawmakers Petition For Separate Dental Care
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Colorado, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Kentucky and California.
Longer Looks: Nobel For Economist Behind The Nat’l Resident Matching Program
This week’s articles come from The New Republic, Health Affairs, The New York Times, Wired Magazine and The Atlantic.
Lack of ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Talk Indicates Issue Is Frozen Until After Election
The fact that House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and President Barack Obama have not discussed looming automatic spending cuts leads this roundup of Capitol Hill news.
Accountable Care Explained: An Experiment in State Health Policy
ACOs are among the most ambitious of the new Medicaid cost containment and quality improvement schemes that have arisen in response to the federal health law and state fiscal pressures.
First Edition: October 18, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organiztions, including resports about how the presidential candidates are crafting messages on women’s health issues in order to appeal to female voters.
Video: Weighing The Impact Of Health Issues On Campaign 2012
KHN hosts a discussion on the Obama and Romney plans with former Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle and conservative health care analyst Avik Roy, followed by a reporters’ roundtable with KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Sarah Varney, Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post and Politico’s Jonathan Allen.
Trinity Health, Catholic Health East Announce Plans To Merge
Big news today in the land of hospital mergers and acquisitions. The boards of two leading Catholic health systems, Trinity Health and Catholic Health East, have announced plans to join forces in 2013. The consolidated Catholic health system would include 82 hospitals and 89 continuing care facilities, home health and hospice programs. The two health […]
Today’s Headlines – Oct. 17, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including health policy highlights from last night’s presidential debate. The New York Times: Rivals Bring Bare Fists To Rematch President Obama and Mitt Romney engaged Tuesday in one of the most intensive clashes in a televised presidential debate, with tensions between them spilling out in interruptions, […]
In Face-Off, Obama And Romney Rumble Over A Range Of Issues
News outlets examine how each candidate fared in Tuesday night’s town-hall style debate. In general, many media sources note how little discussion surrounded issues related to Medicare and the health law.
Planned Parenthood Funding, Women’s Health Issues Create Debate Flashpoints
President Barack Obama pivoted from a question about women in the workplace to criticize GOP candidate Mitt Romney for his positions on contraceptive coverage, funding for Planned Parenthood, and abortion.
Houston Hit Hard In Latest Medicare Fraud Bust
When federal law enforcement agents swept through seven U.S. cities earlier this month to arrest more than 91 doctors, nurses and others for Medicare fraud, one of their targets was Houston. For the Bayou City, it was the latest in a disturbing series of revelations about health care fraud there. A picture has emerged in […]
Hill Staffers Predict Deal To Prevent Cuts To Medicare Physician Payments
At an event Tuesday, staffers from both sides of the aisle predicted that a “doc fix” agreement would be reached to prevent large scheduled cuts from kicking in. Meanwhile, the American Medical Association and its affiliates set out a list of principles in a letter to Senate Finance Committee members to help guide the development of an alternative to the current Medicare physician payment formula.
Health Law Regs Moving Slowly In Advance Of Election
CQ HealthBeat reports that the Office of Management and Budget has no updates on its website for at least a half-dozen pending regulations related to insurance exchanges and essential benefits.
News outlets report on the growing need for long-term care and offer insights into the home care workforce.
Federal Agents Raid Drug Compounding Center
Food and Drug Administration investigators probe the Massachusetts pharmacy linked to a meningitis outbreak that has killed 16.
Social Security Payments To Rise But Medicare Premiums May Offset Boost
The average senior will get about $21 more per month, but federal officials note that some of that will be needed to cover the increase in Medicare premiums, which will be announced soon.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
State Roundup: Mass. Launches Information Exchange
A selection of health policy news from Massachusetts, Georgia, California, Texas, Florida and Wisconsin.