Latest KFF Health News Stories
CVS Profit Up On PBM Business, WellPoint Likely Sole Bid On Amerigroup
CVS Caremark’s profit and outlook rise on its pharmacy benefits business while WellPoint may be alone in bidding for Medicaid insurer Amerigroup.
Super PACs, AARP And Catholic Church Among Groups Trying To Influence Candidates, Campaigns
A Wide variety of groups seeks to shape the candidates’ stances and drive the discussion around health issues.
Viewpoints: Dubious Ad On Romney’s Role In Cancer Death; British Health Plan Has Problems Of Its Own
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Female Voters Are Hot Commodity For Presidential Candidates
On the campaign trail, President Barack Obama continues his efforts to shore up support among women voters as GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney vies for working-class voters.
State Roundup: Medical Malpractice Ideas Part Of Mass. Cost Control Law
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, California, Oregon, Missouri, Minnesota and Michigan.
Outlets Analyze Health Spending, Sequestration Details
The Associated Press offers some of the specifics of which programs will feel the pinch of sequestration. CQ HealthBeat takes a look at the possible causes of the “deceleration in health spending.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of stories that reflect how health policy issues are playing on the campaign trail.
Q&A: Does My Travel Insurance Have Me Covered?
Michelle Andrews discusses options for protecting yourself when traveling if you have a preexisting condition.
Group Health’s ‘Learning Health System’ Keeps Innovations Moving
At Group Health, a nonprofit health system in Washington state, doctors and researchers are collaborating to make sure the latest health care innovations don’t just sit on the shelf. They’ve adopted a strategy known as a “learning health system,” which creates a feedback loop of sorts between the system’s medical and research sides, including the […]
Four Want To Be Washington State’s Insurance Commissioner
Voters in Washington will be filling out their Vote-by-Mail ballots Tuesday, and they will have a chance to do something that voters in just 10 other states do: elect an insurance commissioner. The primary field this year includes four candidates, and the top two vote getters, regardless of party, will face each other in the […]
2013 Medicare Drug Plan Premiums Will Be Similar To This Year — On Average
UPDATED 1:55 p.m. Aug. 7 Premiums for private Medicare prescription drug plans will be about the same in 2013 as they have been over the past two years, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Based on drug and health plan bids, the average monthly premium for an individual next year will be […]
Today’s Headlines – August 7, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that HCA, the largest for-profit hospital chain in the U.S., is facing scrutiny about the medical necessity of some of the cardiac procedures done at some of its facilities. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Obama Administration: Average Monthly Premium For Basic Medicare Drug Coverage To […]
HCA Faces Scrutiny About Need For Some Cardiac Procedures
HCA Holdings Inc., the biggest for-profit U.S. hospital operator, told investors that federal prosecutors in Miami are probing the “medical necessity” of cardiology procedures performed at several of its hospitals in Florida. The company made an unusual statement defending its operations in anticipation of a New York Times article that appeared online late Monday.
No Medicare Drug Plan Cost Increases For Seniors In 2013
The Obama administration announced that costs for seniors’ Medicare Part D premiums will remain stable — marking the third year in a row with little or no change.
Presidential Candidates Use Tough Ads To Court Single Women Voters
The competition for these votes has led President Obama’s campaign ads to highlight GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s positions on issues such Planned Parenthood funding as well as other women’s health and contraception issues.
Medicaid Official Outlines State Flexibility In Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion
Politico Pro reports that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official Cindy Mann outlined Monday how states could choose to expand their coverage under the health law and then later drop it if they choose. This is the first time states will be allowed to drop such new coverage. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports on how employers might be impacted if states opt not to expand their Medicaid programs.
ER Overcrowding A Problem At Calif. Hospitals Serving Many Minorities
A new study says California hospitals in areas with large minority populations are disproportionately affected by overcrowding at ERs — often leading to ambulance diversion, delayed care and poorer health outcomes for patients.
Employers Expect Health Costs To Go Up, Ready Compliance With Health Law
A new survey of employer health benefits by the National Business Group on Health has found businesses expect their health care costs to jump 7 percent next year as they comply with new parts of the federal health care reform law.
Medicaid News: Challenge To Fla. Managed Care Rule; N.Y. Wants Permission To Invest Savings
Florida is seeking to move seniors on Medicaid into a managed care program but one company questions part of the regulations on plans.
Kansas Considers Disbanding Information Exchange Board; Minn. Rebates Lower Than Expected
The Kansas agency may dissolve and turn its authority over to the state to save money.