Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Rule Spells Out Streamlined Medicaid Eligibility
Most people who apply for health coverage in the new online marketplaces required by the federal health law will be able to learn almost instantly if they qualify for Medicaid or premium subsidies, Medicaid chief Cindy Mann said Friday. Mann said currently most people who apply for Medicaid must wait days or weeks until states determine their […]
HHS Issues Final Rule For 2014 Medicaid Expansion
The Department of Health and Human Services released Friday a final rule related to the massive expansion of Medicaid set to begin in 2014. Under the health law, individuals between ages 19 and 64 with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level — currently $14,856 for an individual and $30,656 for a […]
Delayed Release Of Student Health Plan Rule Scrambles Financial Aid Calculations
This long-awaited regulation — designed to boost benefits offered by student health insurance plans — could affect plan costs and, in some instances, the cost of attending college.
Med Students Spurn Primary Care For Hospital Jobs
Every week, reporter Jessica Marcy selects interesting reads from around the Web. Time: Peter Goodwin: The Dying Doctor’s Last Interview (Video) Dr. Peter Goodwin, a family physician and right-to-die activist, took his own life on March 11, 2012, at age 83. He did it legally, with the blessing of his family and doctors, under the […]
Groups Push For Tough Health Spending Targets In Massachusetts
The state’s largest employer group and a coalition of congregations are putting pressure on state legislators to curb spending dramatically.
What You Can Expect This Year From The Health Law
Even as the Supreme Court prepares to hear the historic lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act, consumers are already seeing some changes. Jackie Judd talks with KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” columnist Michelle Andrews about insurance rebates, flexible spending accounts, preventive care (including contraceptives) and easy-to-read insurance labels.
Today’s Headlines – March 16, 2012
Here are your headlines for this fine Friday morning: The Wall Street Journal: Washington Elites Queue Up To See Nine Justices On Hot Seat The hottest ticket of the season isn’t for the White House Easter Egg Roll or Opening Day for the Washington Nationals baseball team. It’s for a spot inside the Supreme Court […]
Administration Tailors Health Law Arguments To Key Justices
Part of their challenge is to convince the justices the health care marketplace is “unique.” Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius talked to Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill about “alternatives” to the individual mandate if it were struck down. And The Wall Street Journal reports the oral arguments before the Supreme Court may be the hottest show in Washington.
CBO: Employer-Based Health Insurance Could Decline Under Health Law
The Congressional Budget Office report notes — under a worst case scenario — that as many as 20 million people could lose their work-based coverage in 2019. The law’s opponents embraced this figure, but the CBO says the more likely number is 3 to 5 million.
States Consider Wide-Ranging Abortion, Contraception Legislation
A host of abortion and contraception legislation is winding its way through state legislatures: Democrats are focusing on regulating male reproductive health in at least six states; Michigan abortion providers face greater scrutiny; and Arizona could require those seeking birth control give a medical reason they need it.
House Republicans Slow Fight Against Birth Control Coverage Rule
And, on the Senate side, a group of Republicans introduced a bill that would end traditional Medicare and allow seniors to join the insurance plans that are available to members of Congress.
Feds Begin Funding Cuts To Texas Women’s Health Program
Federal officials said they would begin to phase out their 90-percent portion of the Texas Women’s Health Program as they had promised to do after Texas lawmakers banned Planned Parenthood from the program. CMS officials said the reductions would be gradual.
MedPac Urges Repeal Of SGR, Specific Payment Cuts
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission took on these and other issues in its March report to Congress.
Tom Hanks, The Hollywood Touch Draw Attention To Obama Campaign Video
The 17-minute documentary looks at the administration’s record and helps set the tone for the re-election campaign.
Medicaid Commission Report Urges Steps To Improve Quality Of Care, Reduce Costs
According to news outlets, the report focused on the care of patients with disabilities, and steps to make sure anti-fraud efforts don’t add to states’ burdens.
Status Checks: Health Law Implementation
As the Supreme Court prepares to consider challenges to the law’s constitutionality, news outlets report on its impact so far and what’s next to be implemented.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
Hospital News: Minn. Bill Would Require Hospitals To Disclose ‘Futility Policies’
Measure being considered in Minnesota would require hospitals to disclose if they withhold treatment to avoid wasting medical resources. In Florida, public hospitals are looking at mass layoffs to save money.
State Highlights: Minn. Tort Reform; Calif. Prepares – Or Not – For Newly Insured
A roundup of health policy news from Minnesota, California, Kansas, Connecticut, Oregon, Missouri, Washington D.C. and Colorado.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Vs. Private Pay ER Use; Caregiver Stress
This week, we include studies from the Institute of Medicine, the American Journal of Public Health, the Urban Institute, the National Alliance for Caregiving and the Annals of Emergency Medicine.