Latest KFF Health News Stories
Congress OKs Stop-Gap Funding Measure But Leaves Unresolved Issues On The Table
The measure, which was signed by President Barack Obama just hours before the federal government’s funding expired, extending government operations until Dec. 11. Lots of issues remain in play for a long-term spending bill.
First Edition: October 1, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Clinton And The ‘Cadillac Tax’; GOP’s Planned Parenthood Strategy Shows Little Gains
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Embattled El Paso Clinic To Reopen; Abortion Rights Group Hopes To Block Okla. Law
A roundup of news regarding state abortion-related news.
Rhode Island’s Medicaid Director Resigns
In other Medicaid news, Texas’ Medicaid fraud detection system faces scrutiny.
Federal Employees’ Health Premiums To Rise An Average 7.4%
The increase is the largest in five years. Some state government employees are also seeing increases, according to reports from Kansas and Connecticut. Fueling a big part of those increases is the rising cost of drugs.
GAO Report Says More Medicare Advantage Network Oversight Needed
In other Medicare news, Part D drug prices are set to rise in 2016, some by a lot. Elsewhere, a new poll finds wide support for Medicare paying for end-of-life conversations, and another report finds nursing homes get much more in Medicare payments than it costs them to provide care.
Republican Legislators In Utah Get Briefing On Medicaid Expansion Plan
The proposal, hammered out between legislative leaders and the governor, is unveiled to Republicans, but the public will have to wait until next week to get details. Also in the news, an aide to the South Dakota governor says his meeting with federal officials on a plan to expand Medicaid went well.
CMS Awards Nearly $700 Million In Innovation Grants Aimed At Improving Patient Care
The money is part of a government effort to increase collaboration between doctors and other medical providers. Among the dozens of recipients are the Mayo Clinic, which will get $9 million, and Arizona Health-e Connection, a nonprofit that will receive $3.6 million.
Fiorina And Cruz’s Planned Parenthood Positions Make Waves In Republican Race
The Washington Post reports that Carly Fiorina’s increased campaign momentum can be credited in part to her fierce condemnation of the reproductive health organization. And Politico writes on the political prospects for Ted Cruz in the Senate following his failed attempts to derail the budget process over Planned Parenthood funding, which fellow Sen. Rand Paul says are not good.
Hillary Clinton Supports Scrapping The Health Law’s ‘Cadillac Tax’
She has described her support for repealing the tax, which news outlets report as a step that could help her claim more labor-union backing, as a change that would strengthen the health law.
Insurance Execs Again In Congressional Hot Seat As House Panel Examines Proposed Acquisitions
The CEOs from Aetna and Anthem testified before the House Judiciary Committee, arguing that the proposed Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna megamergers will not hurt consumers. In recent weeks, lawmakers have been heavily lobbied by hospital and doctor associations that oppose the deals.
Republicans Advance Bill To Repeal Obamacare Under Expedited Procedure
By using the budgetary tool of reconciliation to target the health law’s taxes and insurance mandate, Congress seeks to fast track the legislation to President Barack Obama’s desk — for an expected veto.
White House, GOP Leaders Discuss Ways Forward On Long-Term Budget
The preliminary talks are geared to setting up a longer discussion on how to reach agreement for a two-year deal on federal spending. Meanwhile, as a stopgap funding measure seems assured, news outlets examine Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s relations with Republican conservatives, including Sen. Ted Cruz, and the conservatives’ efforts to find a like-minded candidate to run for House speaker.
Planned Parenthood Leader, GOP Lawmakers Square Off At Committee Hearing
During the hearing held by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, GOP panel members grilled Cecile Richards, the organization’s president, on a series of recently released, covert videos and the organization’s use of federal funds.
Health care stories are reported from Minnesota, Florida, Washington, New Hampshire, Delaware, Texas, Missouri and California.
First Edition: September 30, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Shutdown Only Delayed; Politics And Drug Prices; Failing Co-Ops
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Minnesota and Kansas.
Missouri AG Finds No Evidence Of Wrongdoing By Local Planned Parenthood Clinic
Meanwhile, the Utah branch of the reproductive health organization filed suit against the governor Monday after he ordered state agencies to cut off its federal funding. And in Ohio, the state Department of Medicaid has been collecting data on the services Planned Parenthood provides to Ohio Medicaid patients.
