Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets offer articles on health care issues from Massachusetts, New York, Idaho, New Jersey, California, Kansas, Connecticut, Minnesota and Illinois.
Kansas Gov. Signs Nation’s First Law Limiting Abortion Procedure
The measure makes Kansas the first state to sharply restrict use of the technique commonly used for second-trimester abortions. The legislation also has been introduced in Missouri, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
UnitedHealth CEO Made Over $66 Million Last Year Due To Company’s Strong Stock Gains
In other news from major insurance providers, Aetna targets a marketing campaign toward the LGBT community and Humana expects its Medicare funding to exceed estimates in 2016, based on the latest CMS benchmark payment rates.
Changes Afoot In How Employers Provide Health Coverage For Workers
Privately run health insurance exchanges are becoming an increasingly popular option for employers.
Montana’s Medicaid Expansion Fracas Continues
A Montana House panel tried to stop the bill from moving forward by heavily amending it, and giving it an unfavorable report. Meanwhile, in Alaska, a finance panel is taking a hard look at the governor’s expansion proposal. Also, tensions are escalating between Florida’s GOP-controlled state senate and Gov. Rick Scott over this health law provision.
On Scale Of 1 To 10, Obama Gives His Health Law An 8
In an ABC News interview, President Barack Obama said his signature domestic achievement didn’t warrant a “10” because there are things that can always be improved. Among them — getting more states to expand Medicaid. Meanwhile, in California, about 18,000 people have taken advantage of a special enrollment window that will close April 30. In other news about the health law, media outlets report on how it is factoring into this tax filing season.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Rethinking Seniors’ Care; Immediate Demands For Hospital Payments; Gov. Scott’s Switch
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets offer articles on health care issues from California, the District of Columbia, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
Federal Officials Criticized For IT Oversight Problems
Other stories explore the sharp rise in medical record data thefts and Aetna’s fining for providing inaccurate information about in-network pharmacies.
Experts Urge Removing Financial Barriers To Organ Donation
In a paper published in the American Journal of Transplantation, the group says the nation should find ethical ways to get rid of financial “disincentives.” Also in the news, the ACLU is seeking federal records about reproductive health care for immigrant minors who are in the country illegally.
Overtreatment For Breast Cancer Costs $4B Annually, Study Finds
The research, published in the journal Health Affairs, examines the costs associated with mammograms that generate false alarms and treatment of tumors unlikely to cause problems.
Congress Underfunds Federal Food Safety Effort
Officials at the Food and Drug Administration say the funding shortfall could undermine Congress’s intent when it passed a sweeping food safety law in 2010. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors urge a judge to punish two egg executives found responsible for a major 2010 salmonella outbreak.
Obama To Frame Climate Change As A Threat To Nation’s Health
The president plans to spotlight the ways that climate change might impact health and to describe steps that companies such as Google and Microsoft are taking to help prepare the nation’s health systems for the effects of a more erratic climate .
Florida Governor Now Opposes Medicaid Expansion
Two years ago, Republican Gov. Rick Scott stunned the political world when he came out in favor of Medicaid expansion for Florida. But he reversed himself Monday as talks with federal officials founder over Florida’s request that the federal government extend funds to hospitals that serve low-income patients.
Alabama’s Marketplace History Cuts Across Narrative Presented To Court By Law’s Foes
The Huffington Post details how Alabama officials weighed whether to build their own health insurance exchange or join the one created by the federal government. One thing they never considered was whether the decision might make Alabama residents ineligible for subsidies.
Administration Announces Increased Payments To Medicare Advantage Plans
The final announcement about rates reverses a slight decrease proposed in February. Also in Medicare news, The Hill looks at a lobbying effort seeking to derail the House bill to revamp payments to doctors and the departing head of MedPAC looks back at his tenure.
Rule Proposed For Medicaid Mental Health Parity
Enrollees in Medicaid managed care plans would get the same access to mental health and substance abuse services as consumers covered by private plans if the proposal is enacted.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
