Latest KFF Health News Stories
Report: Nation Isn’t Ready To Meet Elderly Patients’ Mental Health Care Needs
The U.S. is not prepared for the mental health needs of aging baby boomers, according an Institute of Medicine report released Tuesday. A continued lack of specialists and other trained providers including primary care physicians and nurses will likely make it difficult for aging patients to receive treatment for depression, dementia and other conditions. In […]
Court Ruling Triggers Tax Debate On Capitol Hill
Jackie Judd talks to KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey about Tuesday’s House Ways and Means Committee session on the individual mandate and congressional taxing authority. They also preview Wednesday’s House vote to repeal the health law.
Today’s Headlines — July 10, 2012
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including findings of a new Washington Post poll indicating Americans remain divided on the health law. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, cracks may be emerging in the Republican’s repeal effort. The Washington Post: Americans Still Divided On Health-Care Reform: Poll Americans are as evenly divided as […]
Politics Swirl Around Approaching House Repeal Vote
As the House proceeds toward its scheduled Wednesday vote to repeal the health law, Republicans hope to draw more Democratic votes this time around — even though they have not offered any clear alternatives. Although the measure will die in the Senate, the White House issued a veto threat.
WellPoint To Acquire Amerigroup
The $4.9 billion deal will put WellPoint into the big, although risky, health care market for Medicaid enrollees with the most costly health issues.
Perry Rejects Medicaid Expansion, Opts Not To Create State-Run Health Exchange
Gov. Rick Perry’s announcement that Texas will not pursue either of these two elements of the federal health law is drawing both national and regional headlines. But other GOP governors are delaying and mulling these decisions.
Roundup: Tough To Get On Calif.’s New Adult Day Care
A selection of health policy stories from California, Massachusetts, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Indiana.
States Continue Stand-Off With Health Law — Or Push Forward
State leaders continue their grapple with how — and if at all — to implement the health care law, even after the Supreme Court upheld it.
New CBO Numbers On Health Law Expected Soon, A GOP-Led Senate Would Focus On Cost Control
This Capitol Hill news roundup includes reports about new health law budget numbers, and about how the GOP — if it gained control of the Senate — would focus on health care cost control rather than coverage expansion. Also in the news, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, is proceeding with his questions about nonprofit hospitals and charity care. Finally, an ethics panel inquiry regarding a Nevada lawmaker moves forward.
Feds OK Oregon Medicaid CCOs, Ready $1.9B In Funding
The federal government has granted Oregon a waiver to run Medicaid coordinated-care organizations and will provide enhanced Medicaid money — $1.9 billion over five years — for the program.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
The Next Legal Blockbuster: Health Benefits And Same-Sex Partners
Lawsuits focus questions on whether same-sex spouses should be eligible for health insurance and other benefits.
Officials Announce 89 More ACOs Caring For 1.2 Million On Medicare
The addition brings to 154 the total number of ACOs giving care to 2.4 million beneficiaries of Medicare. CMS says the program could save $940 million over four years.
Thousands Of Seasonal Firefighters Lack Health Insurance
The AP reports that these firefighters are now seeking the ability to buy into a federal government health plan.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including findings of a new Washington Post poll indicating Americans remain divided on the health law. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, cracks may be emerging in the Republican’s repeal effort.
New Guidelines On Obesity Treatment Herald Changes In Coverage
The recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that people who are obese get “intensive, multicomponent” intervention offers support for consumers, but it is not clear that employers and insurers welcome the change.
ACO Rollout Continues With 89 New Networks
The next round of accountable care organizations is out at last. On Monday, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the selection of 89 new ACOs. That’s more than triple the number of ACOs selected in the previous round. As of July 1, the newly anointed networks became responsible for providing better, cheaper […]
CBO To Release New Budget Numbers for Health Law Week of July 23
The Congressional Budget Office will release its estimate of the federal budgetary impact of the Supreme Court health law ruling the week of July 23, according to a blog post by CBO Director Doug Elmendorf. “Because such updated projections are the base against which CBO will estimate the budgetary effects of changes in the ACA, […]
Some Employers Waiting Until After Elections To Prepare For Health Law
For one in six employers, the Supreme Court’s health law decision wasn’t enough to convince them to prepare for big changes set to take effect in 2014, according to Mercer, an employer consultant. Mercer surveyed 4,000 employers after the court’s ruling, and found that 16 percent still intended to wait until after the November election to […]
ACO Rollout Continues With 89 New Networks
Now on KHN’s blog, CMS announced the selection of 89 new ACOs — more than triple the number selected in the previous round.