Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Law Brings 11 Million People Into Medicaid Or CHIP
The gains in the two programs designed for low-income residents have been growing since new insurance enrollment began under the health law in 2013, the administration says.
Diabetes Care Improves For Low-Income Patients With Medicaid Expansion, Study Finds
The study, which was done by Quest Diagnostics, analyzed lab test results in 50 states from the company’s database over two six-month periods. In states that expanded Medicaid, the number of enrollees with newly identified diabetes increased 23 percent in the first six months of 2014 compared with 0.4 percent in the states that did not expand the low-income health insurance program.
Taking Stock Of The ACA On Its Fifth Anniversary
President Barack Obama signed the health law on March 23, 2010 amid applause and fanfare. But since then, its existence has been tortured — with continued repeal efforts by congressional Republicans, fits and starts in the marketplace and court challenges. News outlets take inventory of how the law has played out.
Federal Officials Ready Charges Against Sen. Robert Menendez
The New Jersey senator has been under investigation by the FBI for more than two years for corruption. He is suspected of receiving gifts from a Florida eye surgeon and, in turn, helping the physician with business interests and Medicare billing issues. News outlets report, though, that as this case goes forward it is being haunted by a 2008 investigation involving another senator.
GOP Budgets Highlight Views Of Medicare, Medicaid
But the difference between House and Senate Republicans’ versions could heighten tensions. In the meantime, the Obama administration pushes the GOP to detail how it would make the cuts.
Abortion Issue Threatens To Snag ‘Doc Fix’ Progress
Some people are questioning whether the community health center funding in the House bill that seeks to replace Medicare’s payment system for doctors will be compromised because of abortion restrictions. The politically charged issue has already held up progress in the Senate on a measure to fight human trafficking.
House Vote Likely This Week On Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ Legislation
The measure, which has been hammered out by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., would revamp how Medicare pays doctors and includes an extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. However, the path forward is not necessarily going to be a smooth one.
In 2015, Health Care Data Is Hacking Target
The Washington Post reports that this type of data breach is on the upswing. The health care information of more than 120 million people has been compromised since 2009, and this year’s major incidents are reasons to look carefully at the issue. ProPublica reports on the office at the Department of Health and Human Services that examines these complaints. Meanwhile, insurance regulators in Washington state and Alaska are digging into the cyberattack on Premera Blue Cross, which was reported last week.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Exchange Premiums; Altering Doctor Practices; Workers’ Preferences
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
A selection of health policy stories from D.C., Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Maryland, Kansas and North Carolina.
Law Enforcement Urges Innovative Programs To Address Violence Related To Mental Illness
The Associated Press reports on areas where progress has been made, and how much still needs to be done. Meanwhile, in Maryland, legislation is being advanced to establish behavioral health units within certain police departments.
Blue Shield Of California Faces Scrutiny On Premium Taxes
California’s insurance commissioner says Blue Shield of California costs the state $100 million each year by avoiding premium taxes due to a loophole that allows the insurer to choose its regulator. State lawmakers may look at closing that loophole.
The report by the National Urban League is the 39th edition of the “State of Black America – Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs + Justice.”
Novartis Wins OK To Sell Copycat Cancer Drug
A judge approved Novartis’ effort to sell the first imitation of a top-selling biologic drug in the U.S., currently marketed by Amgen under the label Neupogen. Amgen had sued to stop Novartis.
GOP Still Questions The Federal Promise To Pay For Medicaid Expansion
CQ Healthbeat reports on the pressures some Republican state lawmakers face as they continue to doubt the federal government’s long-term commitment to pay its share of expansion costs and also keep the feds from making too many demands on the traditionally state-run program. News outlets also provide the latest on related developments in Kansas and Florida.
Advocates Seek 4 Years Of Funding For Children’s Health Insurance Program
Although a proposal to fix the pay formula for Medicare doctors contains a provision to extend the children’s health insurance program through 2017, some advocates are seeking four years of funding.
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.
