Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obama, Romney And Their Supporters Debate Government Role In Health Care
News outlets cover health care issues in the 2012 campaign as it heats up.
Ariz. Governor Signs Bill Banning Public Funding Of Planned Parenthood
Supporters of the Arizona bill said the law was needed to keep money from indirectly funding abortions. In the Texas case, the panel of appeals judges said Texas must continue funding Planned Parenthood until a lower court decides the case.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
Calif., Ore. And Mass. Try New Ways To Control Health Costs
In Massachusetts, House lawmakers released their proposal to curb health care spending by setting a goal.
State Roundup: Conn. Retiree Health Plan Expansion Could Endanger Protections
A selection of health policy stories from California, New York, Iowa, Connecticut, Florida, Minnesota, Alaska and North Carolina.
Recession Drives Medicaid Spending
Job losses and diminishing income habe pushed Medicaid spending to new heights, according to a study released Friday.
Medicaid Programs In Ga., Ill. Under Microscope
States wrestle with Medicaid funding and opportunities to reshape the programs.
Health Costs, Disability Issues Cause Concern Among People Nearing Retirement
USA Today reports on new poll findings that indicate health care costs are a prominent fear among older workers. Also, Reuters reports on what might be behind the recent rise in disability claims among people in that same age group.
Obama On The Stump: Don’t Turn Back The Clock On Health Reform
In a pair of speeches on Saturday, President Obama fired up Democratic party faithful in Ohio and Virginia. He spoke about his plans for — and record on — Medicare, health insurance and birth control. And he vowed that the country “will not go back to the days when insurance companies had unchecked power to cancel your policy.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports detailing what’s ahead this week on Capitol Hill as well as state-level developments.
‘Virtual’ Consultations: A Physician’s View
Once a month, Dr. Ankush Bansal, an internist, travels to his home in Miami to see patients virtually via computer for three different health care companies. Bansal said he doesn’t think telemedicine will replace practicing traditional medicine.
Insurers Embrace ‘Virtual’ Doctor Visits
The explosion of Web- and telephone-based medical services is transforming the delivery of primary health care, giving consumers access from home for inexpensive, round-the-clock care.
War On Smoking Offers Some Lessons For Obesity Fight
But the scope of the nation’s weight problem is much more extensive than tobacco ever was and public health campaigns must address issues as complex as food and beverage choices, television viewing, exercise routines and even the design of cities.
Gov. Jan Brewer signed the law that cuts off state funding for health care providers that also perform abortions. In the Texas case, a panel of federal appeals court judges tell the state it cannot ban Planned Parenthood from a state program until a federal lawsuit is decided.
Mass. House Releases Plan To Curb Health Costs
Proposal would create an agency to oversee medical spending and would set limits on what hospitals and doctors could charge.
Rivlin On Medicare And The Debt: ‘We Know What To Do’
Whoever ends up controlling the White House next year – Barack Obama or Mitt Romney — will have to make compromises if they are to solve the nation’s current budget and health care crises. “I think we know what to do,” Alice Rivlin, a former director of the Office of Management and Budget, said Friday afternoon as […]
Massachusetts Lawmakers Unveil Ambitious Plan To Cut Health Care Costs
The proposal for state House lawmakers would control rising medical costs by capping a cap on health-care spending and could include a tax on hospitals.
Health Care Employment Continues Growing Faster Than Other Sectors
Health-care employers continued hiring at a brisk pace last month even as overall employment growth slowed down, today’s jobs report shows. Hospitals, doctor offices and other medical employers added 19,000 jobs in April. That represents a sixth of the total April increase of 115,000 jobs, even though health care makes up only 11 percent of the employment […]
Devex Examines Closing Of Global Health Council
Devex examines the April 20 announcement by the Global Health Council (GHC) that it will cease operations in the year of its 40th anniversary, discussing possible reasons why the organization is closing and what lies ahead for its members. According to Devex, a lack of funding, operating challenges, and “a lack of focus” all potentially contributed to the organization’s impending closure. “GHC, for its part, has pointed to the general shift from a ‘broad-based health agenda’ toward disease-specific approaches as a reason for its shutdown,” the news service states. As for the future, Devex notes that those consulted for the article were “either unsure which group would” fill the gap left by GHC’s closure or “suggested that a new group or a coalition needs to form” (Schiff, 5/4).
Today’s Headlines – May 4, 2012
Happy Friday! Here are your end-of-week headlines! The Washington Post: Poll: Obama Leads Romney As Campaigns Converge On Virginia The Democratic president has a key advantage in his bid for re¬election: The coalition of Virginians that helped propel him to victory in 2008 — young voters, suburban Washingtonians, women and African Americans — is largely […]