Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obama Campaign Unleashes Ads On Medicaid, Link Between Medicare And Romney’s 47 Percent Comment
According to news reports, these ads are part of the Obama campaign’s more urgent approach since last week’s debate performance.
Swing State Highlights: Focus On The Middle Class; GOP Momentum In Michigan?
As election day approaches, Kaiser Health News’ Sarah Barr samples news coverage each week from swing states around the country
Sen. Schumer Says Increasing Medicare Age Won’t Be In Any Deal
Democrats have said they are willing to overhaul entitlements if Republicans agree to new tax revenues as part of a “grand bargain” to reduce the deficit, but don’t expect the Medicare eligibility age to be increased as part of any deal, Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday. “I don’t think raising the age will […]
First Edition: October 10, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has pledged that his presidential agenda does not include abortion legislation.
Revealing Angioplasty Outcomes Didn’t Improve Patient Mortality: Study
In the 23 years since New York State began publishing hospital death rates of coronary artery-bypass graft patients, the number of publicly reported outcome measures has proliferated. There are now 258 public reports on health care quality available around the country, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Researchers are still studying what impact this […]
In New Health Exchange, Human Element Of Customer Service Is Up For Debate
Health insurance exchanges are supposed to make it easy to compare plans side-by-side, but concerns persist that without human assistance, buying coverage in them could prove daunting.
Physicians Are Healthier Than Nurses, Other Workers, Says Survey
Are doctors following the same health and wellness advice they give to their patients? Based on new Gallup data, physicians appear to be in better health than other members of the workforce – even nurses– which could set a good example for patients. Gallup interviewed more than 1,900 physicians and more than 7,100 nurses over […]
Today’s Headlines – Oct. 9, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how a new poll indicates GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney gained a significant bounce from last week’s debate performance. The Wall Street Journal’s Washington Wire: Romney Leaps Past Obama In Pew Poll Mitt Romney’s debate performance has wiped out President Barack Obama’s advantage, […]
Poll: Obama’s Lead On Health Care Issues Narrows Post-Debate
Overall, the Pew Research Center poll found that GOP presidential pick Mitt Romney wiped out President Barack Obama’s advantage and took the lead by four percentage points.
Romney’s Pre-Existing Conditions Plan Questioned
News outlets examine this aspect of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s health care policies and report that it would only help a fraction of the country’s uninsured.
State Roundup: Labor Activist’s Work For Blue Shield Raises Conflict Concerns
A selection of health policy stories from California, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Study: Health Insurance Costs To Fall For Businesses Under 50 Employees
Once fully implemented, the 2010 health care law will increase employer-sponsored insurance coverage and reduce the cost small businesses pay for employee health coverage, according to an Urban Institute study released today. Those findings come as news to business groups that fear the health law will raise insurance premiums and may cause employers to drop employer-sponsored coverage. […]
Meningitis Outbreak Fuels Calls For More Oversight
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight people have died and 105 people in nine states have been sickened by a type of fungal meningitis they were exposed to when they received tainted spinal steroid injections.
Decrease In Doctor Appointments, Preventable Hospital Visits Draw Scrutiny
Medpage Today offers a pair of stories exploring Census findings regarding doctor visits in 2010 as well as MedPAC’s interest in “preventable” hospital visits.
Telemedicine: Nantucket Hospital’s Example Demonstrates Telemedicine’s Utility
The New York Times reports on how for some health care facilities telemedicine makes a lot of sense.
New Rating System To Focus On Patient Data Provided By Electronic Health Records
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is developing a new rating system to help guage the growing amount of health information directed at patients and consumers.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
New Limits On Death Record Access Could Hamper Hospital Safety
The New York Times reports on how a shift by the Social Security Administration is raising a range of concerns, including this issue regarding health care quality.
Report: Health Law Will Benefit Many Firms, But Mid-Size Would See Costs Rise
According to an Urban Institute study, the health-coverage costs carried by small businesses will likely fall if the 2010 health law is completely implemented, but companies with 101 – 1,000 employees could experience a jump in their costs.
In Congress, Deal-Making Mood May Emerge From Budget Issues
The New York Times reports that, as lawmakers on Capitol Hill face “so many potentially calamitous tax and budget issues,” necessity may bring consensus.