Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Draft Of Long-Awaited ‘Cures’ Bill Nears Completion
The measure, which has bipartisan support on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is focused on spurring new medical treatments.
Lines Are Drawn In Capitol Hill Budget Negotiations
Medicare is among the flashpoints in the negotiations between House and Senate Republican negotiators as they try to reach agreement on a budget blueprint for next year and further into the future.
Louisiana Lives At Stake In King V. Burwell
A reporter profiles some of those who would lose their subsidies and their health coverage if the Supreme Court were to strike down subsidies in federal exchange states. In Colorado, meanwhile, an exchange oversight committee gears up and in Missouri, an Obamacare processing center where workers once complained of little to do paid more than 13,000 hours of overtime last spring and summer.
Facing Federal Pressure, Texas Gov. Renews Opposition To Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Greg Abbott also says he supports the Florida governor’s threat of a lawsuit against the Obama administration in a similar dispute. In other Medicaid news, Montana’s legislature sends its expansion bill to the governor, and Alaska’s governor says he will call the legislature back if lawmakers do not deal with the issue of expansion in the current session.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Obamacare And Hospital Monopolies; Carrot, Stick Of SGR Repeal
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets cover health care issues in Connecticut, Georgia, California, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Texas, North Carolina, Illinois, Rhode Island and Virginia.
Fifteen States Up Medicaid Pay For Primary Care Physicians
Stateline reports that some states are using their own funds to continue the health law’s temporary — now ended — increase in reimbursements for doctors who accept Medicaid patients. Meanwhile, news outlets from Iowa, Kansas, Florida and New York also cover developments related to state Medicaid programs.
Even In The Amazon, Diseases Become Resistant
The Washington Post reports on a new antibiotic-resistance study with huge implications for public health. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports on how, when outbreaks occur, hospitals put up a veil of secrecy.
Consumers Will Soon Be Able To Order Lab Tests Without A Doctor
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings will let customers go online to pay for tests, visit a service center to have blood drawn, then view the results online. And MediBid helps patients find less costly, cash prices for medical procedures by getting bids from providers.
Medicare Cards Will No Longer Show Social Security Numbers
Social Security numbers will not be imprinted on Medicare cards for much longer. Government watchdogs have long advocated for the change based on growing identity theft concerns.
Entitlement Spending, Medicare Policies, Health Law Issues Emerge As Hot Topics On Campaign Trail
News outlets report on major issues that are emerging as hot topics in these early days of the 2016 presidential primary campaign.
Feds Seek To Push Texas Toward Expanding Medicaid
Meanwhile, in Missouri, lawmakers will not expand Medicaid, but they are pursuing changes to the existing program, including greater policing of eligibility and encouraging use of telemedicine.
Next President Will Have New Tool To Change Health Law Without Congress
Whoever succeeds Barack Obama will be able to use the health law’s innovation waivers, slated to take effect in 2017, to grant states greater flexibility to design their own health care systems without the need for congressional approval. Meanwhile, Politico tracks the multiple lawsuits challenging aspects of the Affordable Care Act.
House, Senate Negotiators Focus On Hammering Out A GOP Budget Blueprint
As negotiators reconcile Senate- and House-passed budgets, health programs like Medicare and Medicaid are expected to be at the top of the agenda. Republicans are also debating whether to use the fast-track budget process to try to repeal the health law.
For Republicans, intraparty divisions continue over efforts to repeal the health law, with many focusing on other issues. Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers are also eyeing tax credits as a potential health law alternative if the Supreme Court overturns a key part of the law in the King v. Burwell case: the subsidies.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ‘Passing The Buck’ On Medicaid; Sharing Patient Records; Rick Scott’s Lawsuit
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Staying ‘Mentally Sharp’; Meeting The Potential Of ACOs; Drug Shortages
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets cover health care issues in Iowa, Texas, New York, California, Connecticut, Missouri, Minnesota, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maryland and Kansas.
