Latest KFF Health News Stories
Actuary Says Stats Point To Smaller Premium Increases Next Year
Also, the disparities in insurance coverage between states that embraced the health law and those that did not are more closely examined. And many Iowans will get to keep their pre-health law coverage.
Skin Docs Prescribe Costlier Drugs After Free Samples
In other news, panels recommend a costly hepatitis C drug for the sickest patients, and cancer doctors will compare the value of costly cancer drugs.
UnitedHealth’s 1st Quarter Profit Falls 7.8%
Officials blame part of the downturn on reductions in federal funding for the Medicare Advantage program and new taxes resulting from the health law.
State Highlights: N.Y. Court Ends Taxi Health Care Fund
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Maryland, Colorado and Massachusetts.
Medicare Pays Doctors Even After They’re Sanctioned
A ProPublica report finds that the agency continued paying doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals even after they were charged with bilking the program. Meanwhile, a report recommends that Medicare pay hospitals less for low-risk outpatient surgeries.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Longer Looks: HIV Epidemic In The Deep South; Planning For Alzheimer’s
This week’s articles come from The New Yorker, Health Affairs, The New Republic, Matter and Slate/Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about emerging political strategies related to the health law and the upcoming congressional elections.
Census Changes Will Make It Hard To Gauge Health Law’s Impact
The revisions are intended to make the survey more accurate, but specific questions will be so different that the results will not be comparable to previous years.
Enrollment Extensions Wind Down But Health Law Politics Getting Complicated
People wanting coverage on the federal and some state websites needed to sign up by Tuesday, and federal officials say they won’t again extend the deadline. In addition, news outlets examine why it will take time to determine whether the overhaul is a success and how Republicans are treading carefully as they call for overturning a law that has provided benefits to millions of Americans.
Vulnerable Democrats Fight Health Law Stigma
In tight races around the nation, Democrats are hoping that stories about the health law’s rocky rollout are behind them, while Republicans try to make the races a referendum on the law.
A Heavy Lift? Legal Challenge To Medicare’s ‘Two Midnight’ Rule
Modern Healthcare reports that some legal experts say it will be tough to convince judges to overturn the controversial rule on classifying Medicare in-patients.
Uninsured Rate Drops More In States That Expanded Medicaid, Run Own Exchanges
News outlets also provide updates on Medicaid expansion efforts and debates in Colorado, Virginia, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina and Indiana.
Scientists Trying To Merge Millions Of Patient Medical Records
The attempt includes collecting and connecting terabytes of patient medical records from every patient recently treated at one of New York’s major hospital centers. Meanwhile in Kansas, a council discusses ways to regulate so-called “secondary use” of patient health data.
Veracity Of Abortion Political Ads Case Going To High Court
Ohio banned false statements from political campaigns. The lawsuit is from an anti-abortion group.
Exchange Fixes, Questions In Oregon, Maryland, Massachusetts
Cover Oregon severed a contract with technology consultant Deloitte as it moves into a new era of fiscal austerity, while the Maryland exchange continues to enroll consumers in coverage. The problems with Massachusetts’ exchange are not expected to impact that state’s current budget.
State Highlights: Mass. Can’t Ban Painkiller, Judge Rules; Kan. And Health Care Compact Bill
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Kansas, Florida, Michigan, Connecticut, Maryland, Arizona, Hawaii, Missouri and Georgia.
With End-Of-Enrollment Surge Behind Them, Insurers See Health Law Positives
With End-Of-Enrollment Surge Behind Them, Insurers Have More Positive Health Law View
Politico reports that many insurers are contemplating expanding — or initiating — their involvement in the overhaul’s online insurance marktplaces. Meanwhile, other news outlets examine how this year’s tax day, April 15, is just one part of the intersection between the health law and the Internal Revenue Service.
Arizona Takes Another Abortion Restriction Step
Now the state has the authority to “surprise” inspect clinics without a warrant.
Viewpoints: Cooking The Census Books; Immigrants Left Off Health Law; Abortion Still A ‘Tripwire’
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
