Latest KFF Health News Stories
N.Y. Governor Signs Order Establishing State Health Insurance Exchange
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo bypassed the state legislature where Republicans had blocked a bill and issued an executive order establishing a new health insurance exchange, a major part of the health care law.
Grants Flow From Komen To Planned Parenthood
The Washington Post reports that, now that the dust has settled, the two organizations are working to rebuild their relationship.
Presidential Campaign Veers Back To Women’s Issues, Mass. Health Law
Obama and Romney campaigns are getting tangled in questions about women’s life choices. But at the same time, Democrats are seeking to use the sixth anniversary of Romney’s Massachusetts health law signing to remind voters about its similarities to the federal health overhaul.
Abortion: Restrictive Bills Proceed In Ariz., Iowa; Miss. Law Targets States Only Clinic
A pair of bills passed the Arizona Senate Thursday to prohibit public money for family-planning from going to organizations that give abortions and to allow some businesses to avoid paying for contraception for employees. Ariz. Gov. Jan Brewer also signed a bill banning most late-term abortions.
States Weigh Bills To Protect Consumers Against High Drug Costs; Other State News
News outlets report on a variety of health policy issues around the country.
CMS Settles Medicare Reimbursement Dispute With Hospitals
With a price tag of about $3 billion, the agreement ends a decade-long dispute between an estimated 2,200 hospitals and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services over the calculation of pay rate cuts and offsets for rural hospitals.
As Fiscal Years Start To Wind Down, States Confront Medicaid Issues
In Georgia, Kansas, Colorado, Connecticut and other states, Medicaid costs are daunting.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
Research Roundup: Medicare Vs. Private Plans
This week’s offerings come from the Archives of Internal Medicine, The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Heritage Foundation.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, include reports about the fate of the health law, about campaign developments and news from the states.
Massachusetts Health Reform, From The Front Lines
Massachusetts Medical Society President Dr. Lynda Young offers her views on how the practice of medicine has changed in the six years since the state’s health reform law took effect and how issues of health care costs continue to be an everyday concern.
Massachusetts On Track To ‘Crack The Code’ For Health Care Cost Control
As his state’s health reforms mark their sixth anniversary, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick explains how he hopes to confront the next health reform challenges — controlling health care costs and overhauling the payment system.
The Next Health Reform Move: Overhauling Payment Practices
As Massachusetts policy makers and stakeholders focus on efforts to control health care costs through payment reform, Health Care for All’s Paul Williams outlines the considerations that are crucial to ensuring that patients experience a higher quality of care, and the most vulnerable are protected.
Massachusetts Health Reform: On The Right Path
Lynn Nicholas, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Hospital Association, outlines how tackling health care cost, payment and quality issues is the next necessary step in order to make the state’s reform achievements sustainable.
Different Takes: How Massachusetts Can Control Health Care Costs
Kaiser Health News asked Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick, Massachusetts Hospital Association President Lynn Nichols, Health Care For All’s Paul Williams and Massachusetts Medical Society’s Lynda Young about how the state can reform the health care payment system to control costs.
Today’s Headlines – April 12, 2012
The Washington Post: ‘Buffet Rule’ Vs. Ryan Plan: Who Should Chip In More The great moral debate of the 2012 campaign is turning out to be as inspiring as drunks arguing over a bar tab. The basic argument is this: “Who’s not paying their fair share?” Democrats have pointed the finger at millionaires, and this […]
Anniversary Of Mass. Health Law Puts Romney In The Hot Seat
Politics swirled around events designed to mark the sixth anniversary of the state’s health reforms — with a focus on GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, who signed the measure when he was governor and is now campaigning against the federal health law, which includes many similar provisions.
On the Democratic side, Vice President Joe Biden takes on Romney, while news outlets offer fact checks and reports of health policy sparring on the congressional campaign trail.
Fast Food’s Slow Exit From Hospitals
On one side of a wall inside the Truman Medical Center cafeteria in Kansas City, Mo., the menu features low-calorie, low-fat and low-sodium meals. On the other side of the wall is a McDonald’s, featuring hamburgers and french fries. The pairing is a sore point for hospital CEO John Bluford who, as chair last year […]
Mass. Hospitals Mull Acquisition, Layoffs; Calif. Hospital Districts Questioned
In Massachusetts, Partners HealthCare is in talks to acquire South Shore hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess cuts jobs after an admissions dip. In California, lawmakers probe taxpayer-funded hospital districts and their stockpiling of cash.