Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on an HHS announcement detailing some of the marketplace enrollment plans for next fall.
State Roundup: Troubles In Kentucky; Md. Hospital Under Review
News outlets examine health developments in Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Public Health Issues: Climate Change; Funding For Alzheimer’s Research
A medical expert calls for hospitals and health care officials to begin to plan for global warming problems, and The Wall Street Journal looks at new ways to finance research.
Patients Kept In The Dark On Costs Of Tests, Treatments
The CT Mirror examines the difficulties patients face when trying to comparison shop or simply figure out how much they might have to spend on medical treatments.
Medicare Boosts Anti-Fraud Efforts, But Problems Are Still Rife
Medicare officials recovered about $19.2 billion in fraudulent payments over the past five years, including $210 million through a new system that uses analytics to probe billing patterns, CQ Healthbeat reports. But the recovered sum is dwarfed by the size of the problem, projected to be up to $50 billion a year.
USA Today: Mental Health System Is ‘In Shambles’
The failure to provide treatment has led to crowded emergency rooms and jails and thousands of untreated people living on the streets, the newspaper reports. Other stories look at a South Carolina “telepsychiatry” program designed to provide rural patients with psychiatric help and a program in Missouri that partners police with mental health counselors.
Hillary Clinton Says Democrats Should Run On Obamacare
Meanwhile, a tea party challenger to Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, the Republican incumbent, is focusing on his posture to the health care law, and House Speaker John Boehner said he plans to sue the president for misuse of executive powers on issues including health care.
Turmoil at VA Continues As Two More Senior Officials Resign
Robert Jesse, acting undersecretary for health, and Will Gunn, the department’s general counsel, will be leaving their positions at the troubled agency.
Study Proposes Moving Open Enrollment Season
Researchers suggest consumers are not willing to spend money on insurance in the busy fall season as they plan for the holidays, so sign-ups in the spring after tax returns are received might be better. Also, a look at consumers’ reluctance to shop for insurance.
Va. GOP Lawmakers Detail Strategy To Counter Efforts To Expand Medicaid
Republicans in the state House announce that they’ve retained former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, who produced a report saying the governor does not have the authority in Virginia to expand Medicaid without legislative approval.
Lower Health Spending Contributes To Downturn In GDP
The revision by the Commerce Department finds that health spending was substantially below expectations for the first quarter and subtracted 0.16 of a percentage point from the nation’s growth rate.
Viewpoints: Obamacare And GDP; Involving Judiciary In Political Disputes
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Women Caregivers Giving Up Careers; ‘Buyers Club’ Laws
This week’s articles come from The New York Times, The Morning Consult, Modern Healthcare, KQED, Health Affairs and The Visalia Times-Delta.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the effects of lower health spending on the economy.
Poll: 5 Percent of 2013 Uninsured Now Have Coverage
The Gallup survey pegged the uninsured rate at 13 percent. Meanwhile, in exchange news, The Denver Post notes increased sign-ups, and Oregon works to retain workers for its troubled marketplace.
Some Insurers Propose 2015 Rate Increases For Exchange Plans
News outlets report on proposed 2015 premium increases in D.C. and Colorado, looking at how these rates compare nationally and how consumers are reacting.
House Approves Trauma Care Programs, Newborn Screening Changes
Meanwhile, lawmakers also are attempting to craft a deal related to two mental health bills pending in the House of Representatives.
Exchange Plans Attract Sicker Consumers
An analysis of early medical claims shows that Americans enrolled in the health law’s exchange plans have higher rates of serious health problems, according to The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports that some small employers buying coverage for their workers are struggling with costs and logistics.
Study Predicts Increase In Health Care Spending In 2015
The report by PricewaterhouseCoopers says some of the increase is due to pent-up demand among consumers who delayed treatment during the recession.
Viewpoints: Paying For Expensive Drugs; Supreme Court Deliberations
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
