Latest KFF Health News Stories
Scientists Suggest Ways To Fund Medical Research
With the continuing downward trend of federal funding for biomedical research, top scientists offer their own ideas.
UCLA Health System Promotes Virtual Doctor Visits
The health system will allow patients to see doctors using their cell phones, computers or tablets. Meanwhile, the American Medical Association proposes an action plan to boost the quality of electronic health records and asks the Obama administration to abandon its “all or nothing approach” to the shift to digital records.
Senate Hearing Previews Upcoming Debate About Future Of CHIP
And, on the House side, Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, expresses displeasure with a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plan to clear a hospital appeals backlog.
Hillary Clinton Urges Congress To Reauthorize 9/11 Compensation Fund
The former secretary of state and member of the Senate pressed union members at a fundraiser to mobilize and push for an extension of the legislation that supports compensation for first responders who got sick at ground zero.
Parties’ Disputes On Health Law Fading To ‘Background Noise’ In Campaign
Republicans are moving beyond their criticisms of the law in the midterm fights. Also, news outlets examine what a Republican-controlled Senate might focus on and how expanded health coverage is not working to the Democrats’ advantage in Kentucky.
Medicaid Expansion, Uninsured Coverage Issues Continue To Simmer In Virginia
Meanwhile, Michigan’s expansion of the health insurance program for low-income people is a topic in the gubernatorial campaign, and in Ohio, Medicaid picks up some inmate health care costs.
Calif. Hospitals, Insurer Join Forces To Make New Health System
Some say the move, which will include UCLA Health and Cedars-Sinai, is aimed at Kaiser Permanente and is being made to hold down health costs.
A selection of health policy stories from New Jersey, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Illinois, California and Wisconsin.
Wis. Says It Needs $760M For Medicaid Over Next Two Years
The state was already projected to have a budget gap of $1.8 billion. Elsewhere, North Carolina plans a Medicaid reorganization.
Viewpoints: Election Victory Could Bring Difficult Decisions For GOP; Burwell ‘Presses Reset’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Coordination Pays Off For About A Quarter Of ACOs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported that 64 of 243 accountable care organizations — a new health care delivery model created by the health law — earned bonuses by saving the Medicare program money. Four ACOs overspent and now owe the government money.
First Edition: September 17, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Government Accountability Office has raised questions about the possible security risks associated with Healthcare.gov.
Missing Paperwork Puts At Risk Coverage For Tens Of Thousands
According to the Obama administration, as many as 115,000 people could lose the new insurance they obtained under the health law because they did not prove they were legal immigrants or U.S. citizens who were eligible for that coverage. Another 363,000 people must submit documentation to verify their incomes by Sept. 30 or lose their subsidies. These two numbers combined represent about 10 percent of the people who signed up through the online insurance marketplaces.
Survey: Number Of Uninsured Dropped 3.8 Million During 2014’s First Quarter
The survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may not reflect the late surge in enrollment before the health law’s March deadline and will likely draw criticism from health law supporters and critics alike. It also tracked physical health.
Humana Announces New Buyback Program
The Wall Street Journal reports on this market development.
GOP Accuses VA Of Interfering With Report On Deaths
Meanwhile, the health-tracking device company Fitbit hires a D.C. lobbying firm to deal with privacy questions from lawmakers.
More Doctors Optimistic About Future Of Medicine
Family doctors are also pushing to change how the nation pays for medical education and are proposing shifting training funds away from hospitals for residencies.
Viewpoints: New Uninsured Numbers Are Outdated; Chiropractors’ Unusual Move Into Nutrition
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Covered California Unveils Ad Campaign, Awards $14.6M For Outreach
And new enrollment numbers for that state show a growing individual insurance market, officials said. Meanwhile, a Nebraska woman recounts her experience as a navigator, and Oregon officials say a tax credit error will affect fewer people than expected.
GAO: Many Insurers Flout Health Law’s Abortion Rule
A report by the Government Accountability Office found many examples of insurance plans not complying with the health law’s requirement that they separately itemize a charge for coverage of elective abortion on enrollees’ bills. The agreement that no federal funds go to pay for elective abortions was the basis of a political compromise that allowed the health law to pass in 2010.
