Latest KFF Health News Stories
Report Challenges Economic Rationale For Repealing Medical Device Tax
A report from the Congressional Research Service questions some of the justifications being offered for doing away with the tax, which has become a prime target for some lawmakers as well as industry lobbyists.
Barrasso: Obama Expresses Confidence About Supreme Court Subsidies Case
Sen. John Barasso, R-Wyo., said President Barack Obama signaled during a roundtable discussion with Capitol Hill leaders that no contingency plans are being developed in the event that the high court rules that health law subsidies cannot be used to buy insurance on the federal exchange.
First Edition: January 14, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Medicaid’s Payback; Orszag Says Brill Missed Key Point; Dems’ ‘Bargaining Chips’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from California, New York, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey and North Carolina.
Clinic That Treated Joan Rivers Before Her Death Loses Medicare Funding
Medicare and Medicaid will no longer pay for services at the clinic where Joan Rivers went into cardiac arrest after it failed to fix problems with the care they give there.
VA Spending On Veterans’ Benefits Varies Widely
An NPR/public radio investigation found wide disparities, even within states, in what veterans receive. Elsewhere, VA pharmacists go unpunished for drug dispensing errors, The Washington Times reports, and House lawmakers pass a bill intended to help prevent veteran suicides.
Tenet 2014 Results Upbeat — With Help From The Health Law
The hospital operator reported that the Affordable Care Act helped trigger a 21 percent jump in fourth-quarter admissions. Also, Aetna announces that it will boost the wages of its lowest-paid workers.
Hospital Bond Issuances Fall To Lowest Level In At Least A Decade
Modern Healthcare reports that some nonprofit hospitals opted to spend money on IT systems rather than on building projects in 2014. In addition, questions about how Hepatitis C drug exclusivity deals impact physician practice and Heritage Provider Network launches a joint venture with Trinity Health.
Congressional Republicans Hopeful About Replacing Obamacare — Especially If Supreme Court Assists
One GOP lawmaker said that if the high court decides that health insurance subsidies should not be available through the federal marketplaces, then the health law would unravel quickly. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, predicted doom for Republicans if they don’t deliver on promises like scrapping this sweeping statute.
High Court Rejects Challenge To The Health Law’s Individual Mandate
The case was led by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, a conservative doctors’ organization, and the Alliance for Natural Health USA.
New Ariz. Gov. Doesn’t Address Medicaid Controversy
Gov. Doug Ducey did not tip his hand during his first State of the State speech on whether he will continue the legal defense of former Governor Jan Brewer’s expansion of Medicaid. Also in the news, Idaho’s governor urges the legislature to hold a hearing on a commission’s report about expansion benefits, and advocacy groups in Tennessee and Missouri seek a turnaround in their states.
Some State Marketplaces Face Bumps, Problems
Oregon is getting ready to lay off 61 exchange employees while officials in Minnesota and Colorado scramble to make fixes to their health insurance portals. In Maryland, a health law “navigator” company faces criticism.
In Your Mailbox Soon: 2014 Health Insurance Tax Reporting Forms
The Obama administration said Monday that it has sent out the necessary forms to consumers who received financial help from the government to buy coverage under the health overhaul.
First Edition: January 13, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: States Lose Innovation Lead; Health Lawsuit Worthy Of The Justices; Abortion Rules
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Arkansas, Georgia, Washington, Illinois, Oregon, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Va., Calif. Govs. Detail Agendas, Unveil Budget Plans
Meanwhile, the New York Times reports on how GOP governors in states that also have Republican-controlled legislatures face dilemmas pitting pragmatism against ideology.
State Legislatures Key To GOP Strategy To Roll Back Abortion Rights
Also in the news, in Texas, anti-abortion groups are pushing for the exclusion of Planned Parenthood from receiving funds through a federal-state free cancer screening program for women; and, in Kansas, a doctor is barred from practice because of abortion referrals.
Smartphones And Fit Bits: Tech Tools Change Consumers’ Thoughts On Health
As these new tools increasingly gather information about individual’s health, news outlets examine what’s next for all that data.
