Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: When An ER Doctor Becomes An ER Patient; Google Glass Inside Operating Rooms
This week’s articles come from San Francisco Magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian and The Weekly Standard.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest developments regarding congressional action on the veterans’ health care scandal as well as reports about the latest Medicaid enrollment figures in the context of the health law.
States Scramble To Pay Hefty Tab For Health Exchange Fixes
According to the Wall Street Journal, five states — Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada and Oregon — will look to their own funds, remaining federal grants and new federal funding requests to pay these costs. In addition, a new study examines the impact of cost-sharing subsidies. News outlets also report on health exchange developments in Missouri and Minnesota.
Democrats Tout Medicaid Expansion In Campaigns
But House Republicans are divided over their promise to vote on a health law alternative this year as millions of Americans are now enrolled in expanded Medicaid and subsidized private coverage. Meanwhile, a proposed tightening of work requirements for Utahans getting food stamps could complicate the state’s push to expand Medicaid, and hospitals in states that expanded Medicaid are treating fewer charity cases.
N.C. Cuts Could Mean 15,000 Lose Medicaid Coverage
Advocates railed against the $60 million shortfall — created after federal regulators rejected a plan to tax Medicaid managed care providers — and urged lawmakers to reject a budget that includes the cuts.
Congress Wrestles With Best Way To Solve VA Problems
Lawmakers ponder whether to expand the system or just give veterans more opportunities to opt into private health care at federal expense. Some analysts say, though, that any fixes could be held up in the Senate by election year bickering.
Cleveland Clinic Chief Considered For VA Post
Delos “Toby” Cosgrove, the top executive of one of the nation’s most prestigious hospital systems and also a decorated Vietnam veteran, is being considered by the White House, reports The Wall Street Journal. In addition, lawmakers and veterans’ groups demand changes, starting with addressing the waiting-list problem.
Transforming Health Care With Data Proves Daunting
Speakers at Health Datapalooza, the annual convention for data geeks, doctors, researchers and patients, offered numerous examples of how people are trying to use data to make medical care safer, swifter and less expensive. But most of those projects are still works in progress.
Medicare Overpays Advantage Plans Billions Because Of Billing Errors: Report
An investigation by the Center for Public Integrity examines how use of a “risk score” that is supposed to help protect the private plans if they have an excess of sicker beneficiaries may have been mishandled.
Federal Appeals Court Blocks Ariz. Abortion Pill Restrictions
The court said the state didn’t present evidence that the regulations furthered women’s health. Elsewhere, a bill to stop employers from denying birth control coverage in their plans is considered in New York.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Missouri, Washington state, Florida and Connecticut.
Viewpoints: VA’s Lessons For Private Health Care; Court Should Protect Abortion Clinic Buffers
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Citing Patient Danger, Minn. Takes Over Nursing Home
The state health department says it took over the Camden Care Center because of serious violations that endangered patients and a high number of regulatory violations.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a story about the costs some states will face in attempting to fix their online insurance marketplace.
Medicare Data Highlight Variations In Hospital Charges, Increased Costs For Common Ailments
The data, released Monday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, include 2012 prices for the most common inpatient stays at 3,376 hospitals.
Some Insurers Plan Double-Digit Health Exchange Premium Increases
The filings in Arizona and Connecticut are shedding light on what insurers might do elsewhere. News outlets also report on developments in Nevada and Maryland related to health exchange costs and coverage issues.
Senate Democrats, House Republicans Spar Over VA Health System Fixes
In the meantime, younger veterans groups call for swift action and new priorities in the revamping of the agency, and Americans’ confidence in the VA plummets, according to a new poll.
Big Differences In VA Care Quality
Sloan Gibson, the acting head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, pledged to end delays in care for veterans Monday. And, as the VA begins to address its problems, McClatchy looks back on what it might have done well.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Study: Based On Political Donations, Doctors Are Favoring The Left
These donor physicians have also become more generous, and the shift of these medical professionals from their historic preference for Republican candidates to their recent affinity for Democrats is attributed to the increase in women doctors and the decline in the number who run their own practice or work in small practices.
