Latest KFF Health News Stories
An Expanded Role For Some Nurses?
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is considering whether to reimburse a certain type of nurse to provide chronic-pain treatments.
‘Gang Of 8’ Working Toward Resolution Of Debate Surrounding The Fiscal Cliff
Politico reports on how a bipartisan group of eight lawmakers are trying to address the so-called fiscal cliff.
CMS Revises Readmissions Penalties; How Hospital Networks Play Into Equation
Kaiser Health News examines readmissions at hospitals, including how CMS has revised up penalities on hospitals who readmit patients too soon and how hospital networks play into the readmissions equation.
States Ask, Answer Questions On Health Law Implementation
Even as some states didn’t meet the target set by the Department of Health and Human Services for submitting their “benchmark” plans regarding the health law’s essential health benefits, others offered specifics about what would be covered and what plans would be their choice.
Report: Overhaul Will Bring New Customers, Challenges To The Insurers
A report released Tuesday by the health care consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers outlines how various changes put in place by the 2010 health law will change the insurance industry.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Ind. Mandate Back On Fla. Ballot; Ga. Hospital Tax Fight Rages On
A selection of health policy stories from Florida, Massachusetts, Georgia, Ohio, Alaska, Texas, Vermont, California and Connecticut.
Obama Spending More Than Romney On TV Advertising, New Ad Stars Medicaid
Meanwhile, GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, who is also seeking reelection to his congressional seat, unveils a new health care ad in his district.
Court Approves Abbott Settlement For Wrongly Marketing Depakote
The pharmaceutical company will pay $1.5 billion for marketing the drug for non-approved uses.
Swing State Highlights: The Latest On Political Ads, Appearances And Polls
As election day approaches, Kaiser Health News’ Sarah Barr samples news coverage each week from swing states around the country
Maine Seeks To Cut Medicaid Eligibility
Gov. Paul LePage is seeking cuts to the rolls of MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, by more than 23,000 people and reduced benefits for nearly 3,800 others.
First Edition: October 3, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including presidential debate previews and reports on a new round of polling.
Medicare Revises Hospitals’ Readmissions Penalties
Federal officials made small errors in calculating how much hospitals will be docked for having too many patients return within 30 days. Many hospitals will lose a bit more money under revised calculations.
Hospitals Need Networks To Prevent Readmissions
The federal government wants many hospitals to adopt a model like Denver Health, which keeps readmissions low through its own network of neighborhood clinics.
Study: Newly Insured Likely To Be Healthy, And To Have Trouble Deciphering Health System
Good news for insurers: 88 percent of people new to health coverage after the health law fully goes into effect will be in relatively good health. That means providers won’t be overwhelmed, at least initially, says a report out today by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The challenge, however, is the newly insured also will be less educated, slightly […]
“Health Savings Accounts”? I Have Bingo!
Here we go again (to paraphrase a memorable debate line). It’s time for the first installment of this campaign’s presidential debates: Wednesday at 9 p.m Eastern we will all tune in to watch 90 minutes of President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney finding new and creative ways of deflecting criticism. Kaiser Health News feels your […]
States Requiring Broader Choice Of Drugs Than Skimpy Federal Limit
When the Obama administration set initial rules last December to determine what minimum benefits insurers must offer in plans sold to individuals and small groups starting in 2014, one provision stood out: Insurers selling small group and individual policies would have to provide at least one drug per class of drug. In other words, insurers could cover just […]
Today’s Headlines – Oct. 2, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about states’ readiness to implement the health law. The New York Times: Administration Advises States To Expand Medicaid Or Risk Losing Federal Money The Obama administration is putting pressure on states to expand Medicaid, telling them they may lose federal money if they delay. […]
Debate Primer: ‘A Mere 15 Minutes’ Set Aside To Cover Lots Of Differences On Health Policies
News outlets set the scene for some of the tough health policy questions the two presidential candidates might face during tomorrow night’s debate. Also in the news, new ads are unleashed on the health law and women’s health issues.
Obama Administration Urges States To Pursue Health Law Medicaid Expansion
Even as federal officials push states to expand Medicaid programs, at least a dozen states are not ready or not willing to set up state-based health exchanges — another aspect of the health law that is key to expanding insurance coverage.