Latest KFF Health News Stories
U.S. Government Must Be Prepared To Handle Dual Use Research Of Concern
“This week, a Senate panel is investigating biological security in the wake of” controversial “potentially dangerous research” on H5N1 avian influenza, “with good reason,” Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) writes in a Washington Times opinion piece. He says “the U.S. government should not have been caught by surprise” by the two research papers describing how genetic mutations to the virus could make it transmissible between ferrets, because the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) “was created in 2004 and charged with the specific responsibility of reviewing this type of research and offering guidance to all federal agencies that conduct biological research.” Sensenbrenner says the NSABB’s initial recommendation against publishing the studies and its subsequent reversal of that decision has left him with “suspicions that the U.S. government is woefully unprepared for dealing with dual use research of concern — research that, while conducted for a legitimate scientific purpose, could be dangerous if misused.”
GOP Budget Focuses On Cutting Health Law Funds Rather Than Trimming Medicare, Medicaid
House Republican lawmakers propose big spending cuts to health care, labor and foreign aid programs. Meanwhile, progress on Food and Drug Administration user fee legislation could stall over “key differences” on proposed amendments.
CMS Proposal Would Factor Patient Safety, Efficiency Into Hospital Pay Formula
The draft rule adds measures of patient safety and a financial assessment to determine whether hospitals are careful with Medicare’s money.
Marketplace News: UnitedHealthcare Flexes Its Muscle In Iowa, Nebraska
UnitedHealthcare expands its reach in Iowa and gets the go-ahead to intervene in a Nebraska lawsuit.
Iowa House Approves Mental Health Reforms
The bill would replace the county-by-county system in Iowa. Also in state legislative news, N.H. gubernatorial candidate opposes health care compact proposal and California lawmaker seeks cap on consumers’ prescription drug expenses.
Physicians, Med Schools Fret About Future, But Some See Signs Of Hope
One survey reveals that doctors fear some of the changes due to the health law, while primary care physicians say the law may spur needed change.
Study: Fewer Employers Offer Health Benefits For Workers
The Hill reports on a survy conducted by the Employee Benefits Research Institute.
State Roundup: Calif. Exchanges Forge Ahead; Mo. Grappling With Costs, Quality
A selection of state policy news from North Carolina, California, Florida, Missouri, Georgia, Oregon and Michigan.
Medicaid News: Florida Prepares For Shift To Managed Care
News about Medicaid developments in Florida and Minnesota.
Ariz. Senate Approves Bill To Ban State Funds For Planned Parenthood
The vote follows abortion restrictions passed by the Arizona legislature this year. In addition, N.H., Calif. and La. lawmakers are weighing abortion bills.
Hospital Debt Collector Puts ‘The Squeeze’ On Patients
A report released Tuesday by the Minnesota Attorney General spotlights aggressive practices used by one of the nation’s largest collectors of medical debts, including demanding payments from people seeking care in emergency rooms, cancer wards and delivery rooms.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
Romney Sweeps 5 GOP Primaries, Moves Closer To Presidential Nomination
Meanwhile, news outlets report on criticism aimed at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and action in congressional races in Arizona and Pennsylvania.
Studies: Against Best Advice, Docs Continue Unneeded Prostate Screenings
JAMA and another journal found that despite government recommendations, doctors continue to screen too many men for prostate cancer.
Nonprofit Hospitals Will Likely Face Higher Costs If Mandate Is Overturned
Striking the mandate but leaving other parts of the law would put many hospitals in a bind, according to Moody’s Investors Service. Meanwhile, The Hill reports that a majority of hospital executives expect the overhaul to shrink revenues.
In Victory Speech, Romney Goes After Health Law
As Mitt Romney celebrated his primary night wins in Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and New York, he attacked the Affordable Care Act and the president.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that Medicare is proposing a change in how it decides hospital reimbursements and the latest on the GOP Capitol Hill budget strategy.
Medicare To Add Hospital Efficiency, Patient Safety To Payment Formula
Medicare is proposing a significant change in how it decides on hospital reimbursements, adding two measures of patient safety and a financial assessment of whether hospitals are careful stewards of Medicare’s money. The changes represent a broadening of the way Medicare plans to pay hospitals through its value-based purchasing program, which is set to begin in October. Medicare […]
An Even Bleaker Prognosis For Medicare?
If readers can bear the first 276 pages of bad news in the annual Medicare trustees report, released Monday, they will come to several pages in which Medicare Chief Actuary Richard Foster argues the program’s financial future is even bleaker than what the trustees suggest. Foster acknowledges the trustees did exactly the job they were asked […]
An Even Bleaker Prognosis For Medicare?
Medicare Chief Actuary Richard Foster argues the program’s financial future is even bleaker than what the trustees suggest.