Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Medicaid Expansion Spreading; ‘GOP’s Woman Problem’
A selection of opinions and editorials around the country.
Exchange Roundup: MNSure Bogs Down; Md. Consumers Drop Coverage
Marketplace developments across the country, including in Minnesota, Maryland, Georgia and California.
Bypassing Politics, Insurers Pay For End-Of-Life Talks
These doctor-patient conversations had been labeled “death panels” by opponents of the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, in a bid to reduce backlogs, Medicare offers a deal to hospitals to pay 68 percent of short-term stay medical claims that were rejected by outside auditors.
Nomination Signals New Approach To Drug Abuse Policy
The nomination of Michael Botticelli to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy symbolizes the shift toward dealing with drug use as a public health issue rather than as a criminal justice one, The Washington Post reports. Reuters looks at how opioid abuse fears keep cancer patients from getting pain relief.
Doctors, Retail Clinics Adopt New Business Models
The financial ground is changing for doctors in private practice and for patients seeking care.
Tenn., Utah Exploring Medicaid Expansion Options
Tenn. Gov. Bill Haslam says the state may soon send a proposal to Washington, while Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says he is “cautiously optimistic” that he can come to terms on expansion with the Obama administration.
Do Small Military Hospitals Meet The Grade?
The New York Times takes a critical look at small military hospitals where the limited number of patients may compromise doctors’ ability to treat serious problems. Other stories look at a surge in surgery prices and at programs to standardize children’s surgical care.
Obamacare Questions: What Taxes? Will Job Insurance Last?
News outlets focused on varying aspects of the health law’s costs to consumers.
Federal Judge’s Ruling Blocks Shutdown Of Texas Abortion Clinics
Another ruling in Louisiana also puts a temporary hold on a restrictive law in that state — one that would require abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
First Edition: September 2, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including an analysis of care at small military hospitals and a look at the $8 billion in health law taxes that come due Sept. 30.
Judge Rules Against Strict Texas Abortion Law
A U.S. District judge ruled that the law’s provision requiring abortion facilities to meet certain surgical standards was unconstitutional.
Washington State Exchange Confronts Persistent Technical Problems
Officials for the state’s online health marketplace also ask lawmakers to increase the cap on general fund money they can use for marketing.
Pennsylvania’s Corbett Becomes 9th GOP Governor To Expand Medicaid
Gov. Tom Corbett reached a deal with the Obama administration to use federal funds to put about 500,000 low-income residents into managed care plans already used by the state.
CBO Chief Says Obamacare Is Reducing Deficit
News outlets also look at a looming court decision on the health law’s subsidies and the potential impact of big data on health outcomes.
News outlets look at health care issues in California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Texas and Washington, D.C.
Viewpoints: GOP’s 2015 Obamacare Plan; The Need For Community Health Workers
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Research Roundup: Benefits Of Hip Surgery; Preventing Surgical Infections
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
NIH To Begin Trials For Experimental Ebola Vaccine
The announcement about the testing comes as the outbreak in West Africa grows. The World Health Organizations says it could have infected more than 20,000 people.
FDA Plan To Diversify Clinical Trials Raises Some Concerns
Women’s advocacy groups complain that the plan doesn’t have “teeth” needed to make a change, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Texas Hospitals Complain Insured Patients Moving To Urgent Care Centers
The hospitals complain that the shift is a problem because they are getting less funding for the uninsured.
