Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers Wrestle Over How To Fund Permanent Pay Fix For Medicare Doctors
House leaders have found about $70 billion of the $200 billion needed to permanently change a broken formula used to pay doctors who treat Medicare patients. Each party sees political advantages to finding a long-term solution.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP’s Balanced Budget Or Phony Efforts?; Kids Could Be Victims Of Court Decision
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, Arizona, Montana and California.
Digital Record Program Comes In For Bipartisan Drubbing
Senators of both parties question the benefits versus the costs of the federal incentive program, as well as the harsh penalties on providers. Meanwhile, some argue that medical device tracking might be another roadblock to implementation of such systems.
Premera Blue Cross Data Breach Could Touch 11M Consumers
The insurer, based near Seattle in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., said it detected Jan. 29 that it had been the victim of a cyber attack that exposed information that could include bank account and clinical data.
Enrollment In Job-Based Plans Is Steady In Lead-Up To Employer Mandate
A new survey from Mercer finds little change from 2014 to 2015. Elsewhere, coverage for more than 3.3 million children may be in jeopardy if the health law changes, and premiums rise nearly 3 percent for the cheapest Obamacare plans.
Feds Nix Mass. Plan To Settle Health Insurers’ Dispute
Federal officials object to a state plan to phase in a provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires some insurers make payments to others who are covering sicker enrollees. Meanwhile, a Maryland exchange board member responds to criticism of no-bid contracts and Georgia’s insurance rates hold the line.
Red State Medicaid Expansion Plans Face Hurdles
A new bill is being advanced in Montana after the governor’s expansion proposal was defeated. In Kansas and Nebraska, supporters of the concept press forward. Meanwhile, in Alaska, Governor Bill Walker reverses his earlier position and tells legislators he will introduce a measure to expand the low-income health insurance program.
Bipartisan Work Continues On Plan To Fix Medicare Doc Pay
House leaders are working on a $213 billion plan to permanently change how doctors are paid for treating Medicare patients. In related news, the reauthorization of CHIP continues to be a hot topic, and a popular, anti-human trafficking bill is being held up in the Senate because of a controversial abortion provision.
Budget Blueprint By House GOP Draws Cold Reception From The White House
President Barack Obama said the plan failed to make “necessary investments” for the nation’s future. Hillary Clinton, who observers expect will be among the Democratic hopefuls in the next presidential race, took to Twitter to express her criticism.
House GOP Lays Down Budget Marker Targeting Medicare, Medicaid; Repealing Health Law
Senate Republicans will unveil their budget plan Wednesday. Both chambers are planning to vote on their proposals next week, in hopes of approving a joint budget resolution by the April 15 statutory deadline.
Viewpoints: ‘Impressive’ Growth In Coverage; Middle Ground In Supreme Court Fight
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Iowa, Indiana, California, Pennsylvania, Kansas, New Jersey and North Carolina.
New Class Of Cholesterol Drugs Moving Ahead
Meanwhile, The Fiscal Times examines the high cost of hepatitis C drugs Sovaldi and Harvoni to state budgets.
Although Home Caregivers Are In Demand, Few Earn Minimum Wage Or Overtime
PBS NewsHour examines the difficulties faced by many of these caregivers, who can have arduous duties and struggle financially. Also, The Fiscal Times explores whether the federal government is paying too much for Medicare Advantage plans.
$200 Billion Proposal To Fix Medicare Doctor Payments Under Fire
Many Republicans are divided by the cost of the package being put together by Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to stave off payment cuts to doctors. Some Democrats are lambasting the deal as well.
Republicans Focus On Contingency Plans If Supreme Court Rules Against Subsidies
Republican lawmakers — long-time Obamacare opponents — are increasingly thinking about what steps, if any, Congress should take if the high court overturns the law’s insurance subsidies.
House GOP Budget Plan Would Repeal ACA, Privatize Medicare, Block Grant Medicaid
The Republican blueprint, which is to be unveiled today, purports to balance the budget in 10 years. Congressional budgets do not have the force of law and are largely advisory documents.
Minn. Governor Seeks Task Force To Mull Future Of MNsure
Gov. Mark Dayton is proposing that an advisory group to consider future options for MNsure, including a possible switch to the federal government’s healthcare.gov website. Meanwhile, an expanded audit of Colorado’s exchange awaits the governor’s pen and efforts to expand Medicaid in Missouri have failed to gain traction.
