Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Home Health Care Demand Increases As Baby Boomers Age
The Associated Press reports that the need for home health care workers is on the rise as baby boomers age and states try to save money by moving people out of nursing homes.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a progress report about health insurance exchanges as well as news from the campaign trail.
Missouri Ballot Referendum Makes Health Law A Hot Issue
The health care law isn’t the first issue on most voters’ minds, but in Missouri there’s a high-profile battle over whether to establish a state insurance exchange.
New Ads Promote Health Law’s Preventive Benefits
They aren’t campaign ads, but two new television commercials from the Obama administration that promote the president’s health law may also be boosting its image. The ads, which began airing this summer, tout the law’s preventive services benefits, including coverage of vaccinations, mammograms and other screenings. For many people, these services will now be available through […]
Today’s Headlines – August 3, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on a Capitol Hill hearing during which House GOP lawmakers grilled the director of the Internal Revenue Service on his agency’s health care subsidy ruling. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Republicans Grill IRS Chief On Health Care Subsidy Ruling As Commissioner Defends His Agency House […]
IRS Faces GOP Criticism On Health Care Tax Credits
During a Capitol Hill hearing Thursday, House Republican lawmakers grilled the director of the Internal Revenue Service on his agency’s ruling allowing qualified individuals to get tax credits to buy health insurance in federal health insurance exchanges.
Generic Drugs Saved U.S. $1T Over 10 Years, Industry Study Finds
Generic drug makers released a study Thursday that found generic pharmaceuticals have saved the U.S. — through private prescriptions as well as Medicare and Medicaid — more than $1 trillion over 10 years.
Komen Ads Overstate Benefits Of Mammograms, Professors Charge
Two Dartmouth health policy experts criticize the national breast cancer charity for using misleading statistics to promote breast cancer screening.
Self-Insurance For Small Businesses Goes Under The Microscope
Politco Pro describes the growing focus on this part of the insurance marketplace as a “sleeper battle to watch.” Meanwhile, Reuters reports that a growing number of people are signing up for supplemental insurance coverage.
Obama Pushes Record On Women’s Issues
President Obama’s talking points on the campaign trail highlight his positions on women’s health issues including his support for Planned Parenthood.
Obama Administration Promises New Money To Help Vets Become PAs
The Obama administration has announced $2.3 million in grants to help veterans become physician assistants — helping ease their transition back into civilian life.
Bipartisan Group Of House Lawmakers To Push Lame-Duck Passage Of ‘Simpson-Bowles’ Debt Plan
A bipartisan group of lawmakers will make a lame-duck push at passing a previously released deficit reduction plan.
Power Outage Points Out How Technology Can Undermine Patient Care
The Los Angeles Times reports that during a recent power outage, hospitals across the country lost access to patients’ electronic medical records, raising questions about whether systemic issues sometimes impact patient care.
Outsourcing Trend Emerging In Health Care Industry
California Healthline reports that, when it comes to a range of jobs, “health care systems may be looking outside more often and with a wider lens.”
Summer Camp Pairs ‘Smores And Anti-Abortion Activism
State news on abortion focuses on a summer camp that trains anti-abortion activists and charges against a Kansas City Planned Parenthood that is accused of performing illegal late-term abortions.
State Highlights: Report: Mass. Medicaid Managed Care Doesn’t Reduce Fees
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, California, Colorado, Maryland, Vermont, Georgia, Minnesota and Oregon.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Ariz. Delays Medicaid Expansion Decision, States Make Other Health Law Implementation News
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer won’t say until January if her state will expand Medicaid. In the meantime, advocates worry about whether health care for kids in Texas could be cut.
Research Roundup: Mass. Health Reform; Race, Insurance And Kidney Transplants
Today’s studies come from the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the Medicare & Medicaid Research Review and the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology; as well as coverage by other outlets.