Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Medicaid Enrollees Pleased With Coverage, But Note They Still Face Obstacles
Focus-group research finds that people who received Medicaid coverage under the health law’s expansion are generally happy but find roadblocks to getting care, The Washington Post reports.
Viewpoints: CHIP Funding Needed; GOP’s Flawed Plan To Make ‘The Pill’ OTC; Millenials’ Health Issues
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Many Gynecologists Still Using Surgical Tool Despite FDA Warning
Federal officials warned in April that the tool, called a morcellator, can spread undetected cancer.
Congress Approves Measure To Tighten Scrutiny, Inspections Of Hospices
The Washington Post reports on this development.
Two Recent GAO Reports Help GOP Refocus Health Law Opposition
Meanwhile, House Republicans also replaced the law firm handling their lawsuit against President Barack Obama with another Washington firm. The lawyer now handling the case was previously an outside counsel for a House panel when it sued Attorney General Eric Holder in connection to “Operation Fast and Furious.”
GOP Candidates Explore Middle Move Ahead Of Election
Democrats, in the meantime, try a new tactic — talking up their commitment to Social Security and Medicare. Elsewhere, Sens. Kay Hagan and Mark Warner face campaign fights centering largely on the health law.
Medicare Experiment Shows Initial Promise
Accountable care organizations, an Affordable Care Act model that rewards providers who produce better quality at lower cost, are showing promise in Wisconsin and Iowa. Meanwhile, a top Medicare adviser outlines other needed changes.
State Highlights: La. Struggles With State Worker Health Program Costs; Aging In Ky.
A selection of health policy stories from Hawaii, Louisiana, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Missouri.
Premium Rate Reviews Saved $1 Billion For Consumers, HHS Says
The health law mandated that state regulators review health insurance increases of 10 percent or more.
‘Drive-By Doctoring’ During Surgery Can Add A Surprise To The Bill
The New York Times examines the growing — and lucrative — practice among doctors to call in colleagues to consult during a surgery or afterward. The need is sometimes questionable, and patients often don’t even know the second doctor was involved until the bill arrives.
First Edition: September 22, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of stories detailing how health issues are playing in the midterm election campaigns.
Research Roundup: Home Health Nurses’ Workloads; Readmissions At The VA
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
7.3 Million Who Picked Exchange Plans Paid Their Premiums
That number, which reflects the tally of people who obtained insurance via the health law, fell slightly from the estimated 8 million mark that was released in the spring. It means that at least 700,000 consumers who initially signed up for a health plan let it go.
Will Illinois Build State Exchange? Calif. Exchange Neutral On Prop 45
Time is running out for deadlocked Illinois lawmakers to build a state-based exchange. Meanwhile, California exchange officials stay neutral on a ballot initiative to allow the state insurance commissioner to regulate rates, and MNsure is back in the political fray.
When It Comes To Health Prices, Getting Information Is Difficult
New Hampshire is one of a handful of states that requires disclosure of health care prices. Also, The Miami Herald continues its coverage of the problems Miami-Dade County has in trying to get details about what it spends on health care for workers.
Obama Orders Plan To Reduce Peril Of Antibiotic Resistance
The measures include incentives to develop new drugs, tighter control of existing ones and better tracking of resistant microbes. “Super bugs” are thought to cause 23,000 deaths and two million illnesses in the U.S. every year and $20 billion in spending.
Demand For $84,000 Hepatitis C Drug Slows
Health care providers may be waiting for other, soon-to-be-released drugs to treat hepatitis C. Also, an Indian pharmaceutical company faces Justice Department questions on pricing data for Medicaid.
In A Change, VA Auditor Says Wait Times May Have Played A Role In Deaths
In testimony before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin says that delays in getting treatment at some VA centers may have been a factor in the deaths of some veterans.
Some Doctors Could Face Stiff Fines Because Of Shifting CMS Rules
The physicians, who have already spent millions of dollars to set up electronic health record systems, could now face penalties because of a timing glitch in federal rules.
Health Law, Medicare Remain Hot Topics In Campaign Commercials
Politico reports that, although the health law and other related issues may not be the flashpoints they were in other recent election years, they still have muscle on the campaign trail. For instance, Kentucky’s Senate candidates both are running Medicare ads. In Georgia’s Senate race, rural health care is part of the buzz.
