Latest KFF Health News Stories
Debate Coverage, Cont.: Questions Emerge About Health Care Facts
News outlets offer more analysis of Wednesday night’s debate, including examinations of plans and proposals about Medicare and pre-existing conditions.
New Medicare, Health Law Ads Emerge In Congressional Races Across The U.S.
While Connecticut GOP candidates appear to be distancing themselves from the Medicare plans being advanced by their presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has expanded its advertising targeting Democrats who voted in favor of the health law.
Insurers Get Ready For Exchanges, But Exchanges May Not Be Ready For Them
Insurers are spending big dollars on marketing, technology and risk analysis of the new health care landscape. But with exchanges supposed to go live in late 2013, where and how companies will plunge – and how deep – is far from clear.
91 Charged With $430 Million Medicare Billing Fraud
The nationwide sweep involved arrests of doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals.
Research Roundup: Limited Savings Found From ACOs
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the New England Journal of Medicine, The Kaiser Family Foundation and other news reports.
Kaiser Permanente CEO Plans To Retire In 2013
After 10 years as the insurer’s chairman and chief executive officer, George Halvorson announced his plans to retire in December 2013.
Medicaid News: Texas Transition To Managed Care Plan Hurts Caregivers
Meanwhile, California develops plans to move 875,000 kids from its Healthy Families program to the state’s Medicaid rolls.
States, Feds Confront Health Law P.R. Challenges, Exchange Implementation
States are dealing with the ramifications of the health law’s federally or state-run health insurance exchanges and the essential health benefits. Also, officials confront the challenge of educating the public on the health law’s provisions.
Study: Free Birth Control Lowered Abortion, Teen Birth Rates
A new study that gave free birth control to low-income teens and women in St. Louis has found that the free contraception dramatically lowered rates for teen births and abortions.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
State Highlights: Kansas Court Decision On Malpractice Cap Expected Today
News outlets report on a variety of health care topics in Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Oregon.
Letters to the Editor is a periodic KHN feature. We welcome all comments and will publish a selection. We will edit for space, and we require full names.
First Edition: October 5, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more coverage of how health policy issues were addressed during Wednesday’s presidential debate.
Highmark Files Suit Against West Penn Allegheny In Pittsburgh
The Pennsylvania insurer Highmark has filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas to prevent West Penn Allegheny Health System from forming alliances with other entities. Last year, Highmark said it was purchasing the financially struggling hospital system. Last week, West Penn Allegheny announced it was breaking ties with Highmark and searching for […]
Denver Debate: The Candidates Discuss Medicare
Medicare and how to rein in its rapidly growning costs was a major focus of Wednesday night’s presidential debate in Denver between President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney.
Breaking Down The Debate, Word-By-Word
President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney had plenty to say about health care in the first debate in Denver Wednesday night. Here are they words they chose — with the most-frequently used words shown larger — during the discussions about health policy issues during the debate. Obama words: Romney’s words:
Today’s Headlines – Oct. 4, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including highlights, analysis and fact-checking from last night’s presidential debate. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Romney, Obama Tangle Over Health Care Reform Law In First Presidential Debate Republican Mitt Romney is vowing to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law, saying it adds costs to the health […]
First Presidential Debate Marked By Disagreements Over Taxes, Medicare And Health Issues
Many news outlets are reporting that President Barack Obama often found himself on the defensive as GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney launched attacks against his record.
Health Policy Challenges, Details Create Flashpoints For Candidates’ Different Views
Although only a portion of Wednesday night’s debate was supposed to focus on health issues, the presidential candidates sparred on Medicare, Medicaid and specific provisions of the health law throughout the entire 90-minute event.
Have Attitudes On Health Law Shifted In N.H.?
Despite severe problems two years ago for Democrats aligned with the health law, former President Bill Clinton and the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in New Hampshire rallied around the overhaul at a campaign appearance. Meanwhile, a conservative seniors group emerges to offer a competing view with that of AARP.