Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 25, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a new study that details accelerating health care spending. Los Angeles Times: Presidential Debate Questions Sync Up With Voter Concerns A new Pew Research Center polling analysis, released Monday, finds that the economy is voters’ dominant concern in this fall’s presidential election. An […]
Federal Officials Offer Warning On Medicare Billing Abuses
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder notified hospital trade groups Monday that they planned to prosecute providers that use electronic records to “game the system” by billing Medicare for more complicated care than they actually deliver.
Health Insurance Costs Rise, Driven By Higher Hospital, Doctor Prices
According to a report by the Health Care Cost Institute, health insurance spending jumped in 2011 – a development that broke a two-year trend of small increases. Still, the per enrollee increase ranks below 2009’s 5.8 percent rise.
Higher Prices By Hospitals, Other Providers, Drove 2011 Spending Increases, Study Finds
Spending on medical care for Americans with job-based insurance rose 4.6 percent last year, driven mainly by higher prices charged by hospitals and other medical providers, a report out today says. The growth came despite a sluggish economy which some economists thought would translate into more modest spending growth. Still, last year’s per enrollee increase ranks […]
Viewpoints: The ‘Real Story’ Of Ryan At AARP; ‘Get Thee To An Emergency Room’
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Health Insurance To Provide Easy-To-Understand Plan Summaries
On Monday, a health law provision goes into effect that requires insurance companies to provide user-friendly guides that provide explanations of plan benefits that will be as clear and easy to understand as the nutrition facts provided on food packages.
Congress Approves Bill Designed To Protect Patients From Stolen Medical Products
Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, some Senate conservatives are considering taking steps to block a deal to avert the automatic cuts called for under sequester.
Prescription Drug Abuse Among Young Adults Drops
Prescription drug abuse by young adults dropped 14 percent last year to its lowest rate since 2002 as authorities continue new attempts to curtail abuse.
Candidates, Committees Spend Money And Stand Ground In House And Senate Races
The Associated Press looks at competitive House races in New York, where Republicans are spending significant money to hold three seats held by freshmen. In the meantime, Todd Akin is standing his ground in his Senate race in Missouri.
Double-Digit Premium Increases Seen In Popular Medicare Drug Plans
Seniors in seven of the 10 most popular Medicare drug plans will see marked premium increases for 2013 if they don’t opt to change plans, according to an analysis by Avalere Health.
Romney Scolded For Emergency Room Remark
During his Sunday interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney said that uninsured Americans can get care in emergency rooms — a comment that drew a critical response from the American College of Emergency Physicians.
State Roundup: Calif. Mental Hospitals Released From Fed Oversight
A selection of health policy stories from California, Kansas, Oregon, Virginia, Georgia and Illinois.
Medicare Plans, Policies Draw Analysis, Voters’ Interest
News outlets report on how Medicare and other health policy issues will play in the presidential debates, on similarities and differences between the candidates’ Medicare plans, and offer tips for reporters trying to cover this complicated issue.
First Edition: September 25, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a new study that details accelerating health care spending.
Boom In Trauma Centers Can Help Save Lives, But At What Price?
More than 200 centers have opened since 2009, but experts raise concerns about cost and quality.
Health Plan Open Season Brings Rising Premiums And More Expensive Dependent Coverage
As employees review their health plan options for 2013, they can expect changes.
Study Links Longer Office Hours, Lower Health Care Costs
After primary care doctors close their doors on weekends and evenings, patients turn to urgent care facilities, pharmacy ‘minute clinics’, and emergency rooms to get the care they need. In doing so, they may also be contributing to the nation’s skyrocketing health system costs. “When a patient shows up in the emergency room, the assumption is […]
The Next Frontier For Elite Med Schools: Primary Care
Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York is now one of the only top medical schools to offer family medicine as a specialty for its students.
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 24, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the latest health politics and policy news. The New York Times: Obama And Romney Offer A Possible Preview Of Their First Debate Mr. Romney said he would consider means-testing for Social Security benefits for future retirees, and he put some distance between his […]
Health Issues Are Hot Topics On Campaign Trail
From their appearances Sunday night on CBS’ 60 Minutes to their answers to questions about their proposals for Medicare, President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney draw stark differences in their visions.