Latest KFF Health News Stories
Almost Half Of U.S. Doctors Burned Out By Workload: Survey
Additionally, more than 37 percent of respondents out of 7,000 doctors queried said they work more than 60 hours per week.
First Edition: August 21, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports from the campaign trail, where House candidates are turning up the Medicare debate; and from the health care marketkplace, where Aetna acquired Coventry Health, a Medicare and Medicaid insurer.
Medicare Fraud Squads Wield New Weapons
The fraud squads who look for scams in the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs have some new weapons: tools and funding provided by the health law.
Health Law Prompts Review Of Some Medigap Plans; Defining Who Gets Dependent Status
In responses to readers’ questions, columnist Michelle Andrews looks at efforts to curb spending by Medigap insurance. In addition, she explores how health plans determine who can be on your coverage.
Today’s Headlines – August 20, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the Medicare story is continuing to unfold on the presidential campaign trail. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Romney And Ryan To Hold Town Hall Meeting With NH Voters To Explain Medicare Plans Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are ready to face New Hampshire […]
Competing Medicare Positions: The Debate Behind The Rhetoric
As the Romney and Obama campaigns continue to spar over Medicare politics, news outlets examine the questions in play.
Presidential Campaign Keeps Focus On Medicare
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and his running-mate pick Paul Ryan are taking their Medicare message to New Hampshire today. Meanwhile, President Obama blasts the Republican ticket on its Medicare plan.
State Roundup: Calif. Suing Doc Over Billing Practices
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Maine, California, Maryland, South Carolina, Texas and Massachusetts.
Appeals Court Dismisses Challenge To Doctor-Owned Hospital Expansion Limit
An appeals court has dismissed a challenge to a part of the health law that limits expansion of doctor-owned hospitals on grounds that a lower court that issued an earlier ruling didn’t have jurisdiction in the case.
Texas Investigates Dental Medicaid Fraud; Access, Cost Hurting Dental Care In Va.
In Texas, officials are investigating dentists for applying for reimbursement for procedures Medicaid doesn’t cover. Also, cost and a dentist shortage in Virginia is negatively affecting dental care in that state.
Study: Medicare ‘Doughnut Hole’ Not Linked To More Heart Attacks, Related Deaths
Reuters reports on a new study regarding Medicare’s prescription coverage gap and its impact on heart attacks.
Some GOP governors say their states can’t afford the health law’s Medicaid expansion, but hospitals in those states have a different view.
Aetna To Buy Coventry Health For $5.7B
Aetna is joining the post-health law insurer purchasing fray and buying Coventry Health for a proposed $5.7 billion to increase its Medicaid business.
Mo. Senate Candidate Blasted For Comments On Rape
Republican Rep. Todd Akin, who is challenging Sen. Claire McCaskill, suggested in a TV interview that some rapes are “legitimate” and women can shut down a pregnancy from such an attack.
New editorial perspectives on the Medicare plans put forth by both Obama and Rep. Paul Ryan.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Californians support health reform, a new polls says, even as Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown seeks a special session from state lawmakers to deal with health reform issues, which he says can go no further without more federal guidance.
How’s Medicare Playing In The Florida Senate Race?
News outlets report on how Medicare is shaping the much-watched Florida Senate race as well as how this year’s House candidates that are physicians also tend to be Democrats.
Ryan’s Positions On Women’s Issues Become Campaign Target
Politico reports on how Rep. Paul Ryan’s record on reproductive issues — including co-sponosring a “personhood amendment” that would declare a fertilized egg to be a person, and voting to defund Planned Parenthood — could widen President Barack Obama’s lead among women. Meanwhile, a controversial comment about rape by a GOP candidate running for Senate in Missouri has stirred anger and angst.
Ind. Bid For Medicaid Waiver Extension Denied; Managed Care Contracts Make News
In Indiana, officials are denied an extension on a Bush-era Medicaid waiver just as New Mexico seeks to revise its Medicaid overhaul plan.