Latest KFF Health News Stories
GOP Leaders Unveil New Strategies But Still Face Gridlock
News organizations examine how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, are attempting to navigate congressional gridlock within their own caucuses and across party lines.
House, Senate Panels OK Budget With Cuts To Medicaid, Changes To Medicare, And ACA Repeal
The process so far has highlighted deep ideological divisions within the GOP but it also gives Republicans procedural tools for passing other measures — including a repeal of Obama’s health care law — on a simple majority vote.
In Unusual Bipartisan Moment, House Leaders Reach Partial ‘Doc Fix’ Deal
Supporters of the measure, which is scheduled for a House vote next week and would end the annual battles surrounding scheduled Medicare doctor pay cuts, say it has a good chance of passing. But negotiators have not yet settled on a plan for paying for the measure and there could be trouble ahead in the Senate.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: House Budget Promises; Shifting Medicare Costs; Abortion Restrictions
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Parting Wisdom; Organ Donors; Fixing Medicare
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, New York, California, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Maryland, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado, Tennessee and D.C.
Nebraska, Arizona Lawmakers Battle Over Abortion Bills
Lawmakers in Nebraska take up a bill that would impose tougher regulations on abortion providers, while the Arizona House delays debate on one that would prevent women from buying Obamacare plans that cover abortion. Meanwhile, a civil liberties group asks a judge to bar an Alabama law that allows a fetus to be represented in court when a minor seeks judicial permission for an abortion.
States, Feds Seek To Recoup Billions After Health Care Fraud
New York’s attorney general indicts the leaders of a Bronx drug and alcohol treatment program for alleged Medicaid fraud. Missouri nets $2.4 million in a Medicaid fraud settlement. And the federal government recovers $3.3 billion in health-care fraud.
Blue Shield Of California Stripped Of Tax-Exempt Status
The insurance company and state regulators faced criticism for not disclosing this decision, which was made seven months ago.
Drugmaker’s Controversial Strategy When Facing Loss Of Patent Protection Prompts Antitrust Suit
Also, in other pharmaceutical news, NPR examines why insulin is so expensive.
Marketplace Customers Buy More Drugs Than Those With Other Plans, Study Finds
The research “fits with expectations that many of those who found coverage through the new marketplaces had unmet health care needs,” the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. In other exchange news, a state senator in Colorado pledges more oversight.
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s latest tracking poll found that though 43 percent of respondents had an unfavorable opinion of the law, 41 percent had a favorable view — the smallest gap since the fall of 2012. The poll also explored a number of other issues, including public thoughts on the Supreme Court’s current consideration of Obamacare subsidies.
Small Businesses Complain About Health Law Paperwork
Meanwhile, the IRS commissioner testifies before Congress that the agency needs more funding to implement the health law’s insurance mandate, in addition to fulfilling its other responsibilities. And a new study projects two million children would lose coverage if the Supreme Court rejects subsidies and Congress fails to extend a children’s insurance program.
Obama Criticizes GOP Budget Plans, Points To GOP Medicare, Medicaid Proposals As Harmful
During a speech in Cleveland, President Barack Obama slammed the GOP budget blueprints as particularly hurtful to the economic needs of the middle class.
Human Trafficking Bill Stalled By Abortion Fight
Senate Democrats are unhappy the larger bill contains a provision banning funding for abortions and are filibustering. In the meantime, an aide to Democratic Minn. Sen. Amy Klobuchar spotted the abortion language, but failed to tell her office about it.
Senate GOP Releases Budget Plan That Cuts Health Programs But Clashes With House Version
The 10-year fiscal outine is more modest than that of the House GOP and takes a different approach to Medicare, among other big-ticket items.
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.
