Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: September 7, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including examinations of health policy references in yesterday’s Democratic convention speeches.
Where In The World Is Jerry Brown?
California’s Jerry Brown, the governor of the most populous state in the union, a state that has aggressively pushed ahead with the Affordable Care Act even when it wasn’t the “in-thing,” is sitting out this year’s Democratic National Convention. Like millions of American kids who returned to school this week, Brown has too much work […]
IOM Report Focuses On $750 Billion In Inefficient Health Care Spending
“If home building were like health care,” says a new Institute of Medicine report, “carpenters, electricians, and plumbers each would work with different blueprints, with very little coordination.” With physicians, hospital administrators and insurance companies on often diverging building plans, the idea that the health care system could fall apart like a badly built house […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 6, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including health policy highlights from the Democratic National Convention as well as dispatches from the states. Los Angeles Times: Bill Clinton Fires Up Democratic Convention The former president assailed Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, for accusing Obama of cutting $716 […]
Clinton Skewers GOP On Medicare, Offers Strong Defense Of Obama On Health Law
In former President Bill Clinton’s speech to nominate Barack Obama for re-election, he made a point-by-point case to return Obama to a second term, lauding his efforts to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid and to pass the health law.
Democratic Speakers Rally Around Health Law
During Wednesday’s convention proceedings, speakers criticized what they described as Republican plans to “voucher-ize Medicare” and touted provisions of the health law already in effect, such as coverage for children with pre-existing medical conditions, the closing Medicare Part D “doughnut hole” and the ability to keep young people on their parents’ policies until age 26.
Conservatives Say Dems’ Attack on Medicare Plan Is ‘Misleading’
Republican pundits dispute the description of their plans to overhaul Medicare as a defined-contribution, rather than a defined-benefit program ‘vouchercare,’ and say that repealing the health law would spur innovation.
State Roundup: Judge Keeps Calif. Prison Health Care Under Fed Control
A selection of health policy stories from California, New York, Indiana, Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
NFL Donates $30 Million For Research On Brain Injuries
The National Football League pledged the funds to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health to support research to foster a better understanding of the long-term repercussions of head traumas experienced by athletes and members of the military.
Kansas Blue Cross Executive Pitches One Of His Plans To Define ‘Essential Benefits’ Benchmark
An executive with Blue Cross Blue Shield in Kansas is stumping for one of his company’s plans to become the measure by which other plans’ “essential benefits” are judged.
Report: N.Y. Public Employees Face $250B Gap In Covering Retiree Health Care Costs
A new report has found a gaping $250 billion hole in what New York state and local governments have promised to public employees to help pay for their retiree health care costs — a $45 billion increase since 2010.
Longer Looks: Despite Health Law, Costs Still Overwhelming For Some
This week’s articles come from The New York Times, CNN, The Huffington Post, Forbes Magazine and The Oregonian.
Bill Clinton On Medicare: ‘There Were No Cuts To Benefits At All’
As part of his 50-minute defense of the Obama administration’s record, the former president praised Obama’s health policies, asking, “Are we better off because President Obama fought for health care reform? You bet we are.”
Biz Groups Push For Answers On Minnesota Exchange
The head of the largest business group in Minnesota has a message for both Democrats and Republicans as the state attempts to plan a health insurance exchange: We need answers, fast.
First Edition: September 6, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including health policy highlights from the Democratic National Convention as well as dispatches from the states.
Study: Decision Aids Show Promise In Reducing Medical Procedures
While policymakers debate complex changes to reduce health spending, promoting patients’ involvement in treatment decisions could have an immediate effect. A new Health Affairs report about decision aids — materials given to patients to help educate them about treatment options — shows they can help hold down costs by reducing demand for medical procedures. “The […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 5, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on how health reform is playing a role in presidential politics, both during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., and in a new GOP campaign ad. Politico: Dems Wear ‘Obamacare’ Proudly Democrats gathered in Charlotte this week are fighting to reclaim the term […]
Convention News: Dems Embrace Health Law
In speeches from the podium and in the buzz from the convention floor, it was apparent on the first day of the Democratic National Convention that delegates and speakers aimed to reclaim the health law as an important accomplishment of the Obama administration.
Party Platforms Reveal Two Very Different Visions For The Nation
The Democratic platform, which was released Tuesday, includes many health care policy references, but is light on specifics about what health initiatives would come during a second Obama term.