Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report detailing how changes in the Census Bureau’s annual survey could mask the health law’s impact.
CBO Shrinks Estimate Of Health Law Spending Based On Lower Subsidy Costs
Expanded insurance coverage under the health law will also show slower premium growth, helping lower the total cost of the law, the nonpartisan office said.
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the president’s nominee to head the Health and Human Services Department, may have some goodwill, but she will still have to navigate plenty of challenges — starting with her confirmation hearing.
Wal-Mart Exec Who Led Health Care Expansion Steps Down
News emerged Monday in an internal staff memo that John Agwunobi would leave his post running the retailer’s health and wellness division.
Disparity In Medicare Provider Payments In Oregon, Data Show
Information gleaned from the federal government’s Medicare data dump shows that Oregon providers and provider groups were paid $508 million in 2012. However, some providers made more than others. Meanwhile the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that arising from the data, Wisconsin Congressional members want physicians rated on quality of care.
U.S. Health Care Spending, Usage Rise
Americans’ spending on medicines in 2013 rose 3.2 percent to nearly $330 billion, fueling speculation that a dip in overall health care spending may be over.
Fallout Continues Around Medicare Advantage Payment Rates
The Obama administration’s decision to reverse a proposed Medicare Advantage payment cut has been panned by insurance analysts and governors, among others.
Some Push To Sync Obamacare Deadline With Tax Day
This year’s intersection of the deadlines to sign up for health insurance, as well as to file taxes, elevated the role of many tax preparers who have been educating uninsured clients about the health law. Some tax preparers contend the two deadlines should be permanently connected.
Survey: Signing Up For Obamacare No Walk In The Park
California enrollees said they had trouble getting through to call centers, calculating their income and gathering the required documentation, among other difficulties, according to a survey by the California HealthCare Foundation. Meanwhile, media outlets note that Tuesday is the last chance to sign up in California, while April 22 is the deadline in Minnesota.
State Highlights: N.Y.’s Medicaid Waiver; Conn. Medicaid Application Delays Settlement
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Connecticut, Washington state, Kansas, Florida, West Virginia and California.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Congressional Budget Office’s latest estimate of the costs for expanding health insurance.
CBO Projects Health Law Subsidies Will Cost Less Than Previously Expected
The new CBO projections find that the health law’s expansion of health coverage will, from 2015
GOP Intends To Focus On Health Law Issues During Burwell’s Confirmation Hearings
Senate hearings for Sylvia Mathews Burwell, President Barack Obama’s pick to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, are likely to focus more on the health law than on the nominee. Many expect the proceedings to set the scene for a heated political debate on the law that will likely be part of the midterm campaign.
Obama Turns To ‘Proven Manager’ To Shepherd HHS And Health Law
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, whom President Barack Obama named to replace outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, is a relatively unknown ‘budget wonk’ who is being asked to navigate some difficult terrain to keep the president’s signature achievement on track.
Medicare Doctor Payment Data Reveals Much About Health System
The trove of data has the potential to reveal faults in drug pricing, potential fraud and could help regulators and consumers track medical spending — but could take years to sort out.
Conservatives Continue Health Law Attack Barrage
Leading Republicans readying for a White House run in 2016 also unofficially kicked off their campaigns in New Hampshire Saturday by hammering the health law.
High Cost Of Potent Hepatitis Drug Presents Challenges Across The U.S.
Sovaldi, the hepatitis C treatment drug, is considered a breakthrough for patients with the disease. However, since it won federal approval in December, lawmakers, insurers and patient advocates have begun an all-out revolt over its high price point of $1,000 a daily pill or $84,000 over 12 weeks of treatment.
Study Shows 25 Percent Of Colorado Foster Kids On Psychotropic Drugs
The rate is 12 times greater than for other children on government insurance, a new study in Colorado finds.
What Is ‘Preventive’ Care? Answer Causing Patient-Doctor Friction
Access to preventive care at no charge to the patient is a tenet of the health law, but differences over just what’s considered “preventive” are causing friction between doctors and patients, reports The Wall Street Journal. Other stories look at how California community clinics have yet to see increased demand for primary care doctors and how plans are targeting newly insured diabetics to avoid costly complications.
