Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories previewing the market, policy and political implications of the Supreme Court’ health ruling, which is due out on Thursday.
New Rules Will Ban ER Debt Collections At Charitable Hospitals
On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department released new proposed rules to protect patients from abusive debt collection practices at nonprofit hospitals.
Top Paid Medical Apps for iPhones (from the iTunes store)
There are 40,000 medical applications available for download on smartphones and tablets. Here’s a list of the most popular medical apps for iPhones in the iTunes store.
FDA Seeks To Tame Exploding Medical App Market
The market has been something of an unregulated Wild West; for doctors and patients alike, it is difficult to know which apps actually live up to their health claims or provide accurate information.
Today’s Headlines – June 26, 2012
Good morning! Thursday is the day for the big decision, but it’s only Tuesday, so here are some headlines to digest: Politico: John Roberts’ Big Moment Justices are expected to rule Thursday — during their final public sitting of the term — on the fate of President Barack Obama’s signature health law. While much of […]
Thursday Is The Day For Health Law Decision
With stories that set the scene or provide a sense of history, news outlets offer guides about what to watch for when the Supreme Court unveils its health law decision, as well as some cautions about understanding it.
How Far Will The Ruling Reach?
What the Supreme Court decides will impact the billions of dollars that have already been spent to implement the measure, as well as consumers, employers, small businesses, the health care industry, the insurance marketplace, and, of course, politics and K Street.
Analysis Finds Double Payments For Medicare, VA Plans
A retrospective anlysis determines that the government pays duplicate costs for health care for peole who are enrolled in both Medicare Advantage and the Veterans Administraiton health care program.
A Lockheed Martin union has agreed to eliminate pensions for new employees in exchange for a health insurance option that covers out-of-network services. In the meantime, the Supreme Court will hear a case on benefits for US Airways workers.
Federal Task Force Urges Docs To Screen For Obesity, Offer Counseling
An advisory panel on Monday recommended that obese adults receive intensive counseling. This step could lead to an expansion of insurance coverage for weight-loss treatments.
Preventable ER Dental Care In Florida Cost $88M In 2010
In Florida, preventable ER visits for dental care cost that state $88 million, a new report said. In the meantime, California lawmakers sent the governor a bill for his approval that would give low-income children a new way to get dental care.
Analyzing The FDA Bill’s Course: Bipartisanship Or Something Else?
Poltico writes about the moving parts that have propelled this legislation through Congress.
Doctors’ Use Of EHRs Expanding Quickly; Decline In Malpractice Claims Also Noted
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported that the number of physicans and other providers using electronic health records doubled in three months. Meanwhile, a small study finds that the number of malpractice claims is lower among doctors using those electronic records.
Viewpoints: GOP’s Changing Views On Mandate; Health Law Decision Could Be Court’s Defining Moment
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
Palin Revisits ‘Death Panel’ Claims
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin renews her allegations that the health law creates death panels.
State Roundup: Rules Would Ban Collections In Nonprofit ERs
A collection of health policy stories from Minnesota, Kansas, California, Florida, Georgia and New York.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that set the scene for Thursday’s Supreme Court decision that will determine the health law’s future.
Preventive Services Task Force Endorses Obesity Screening, Counseling
All adults should be screened for obesity, and those found to be obese should be offered at least 12 weeks of intensive counseling about lifestyle changes, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said in a statement published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The recommendation is likely to accelerate insurance companies’ coverage of weight […]
Electronic Health Records Could Help Lower Malpractice Claims
A research letter published Monday by Harvard scientists in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that doctors who adopt the use of electronic health records have a lower rate of malpractice claims. The researchers examined responses from 275 physicians in Massachusetts who responded to surveys in 2005 and 2007, and examined the physicians’ use of […]