Latest KFF Health News Stories
CMS Releases Trove Of Medicare Physician Billing Data
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is making this information available for the first time in 35 years. Meanwhile, in their first run at the data, news outlets report that a small number of doctors account for a large share of Medicare costs.
Portrait Of Newly Insured Takes Shape
Early enrollees in the health law’s marketplaces were more likely to use expensive specialty drugs and less likely to use contraceptives, according to an analysis of two months of drug claims data by Express Scripts. A Rand analysis, meanwhile, argues that most of the newly insured signed up with an employer rather than buying it through the marketplaces.
State Highlights: R.I. Disabled Settlement’s Far Reach; Ore. Long-Term Care Rates
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Massachusetts, California, Minnesota, Kansas, Arizona and Florida.
Health Law: Attack Ad Fuel For Midterms
The Wall Street Journal reports on three ads that focus on health care with roots in the 2008 presidential election, while the Koch brothers have launched health law ads against Democratic senators they deem vulnerable. And many health law critics have accepted the law’s subsidies.
CVS Caremark To Pay $20 Million To Settle SEC Charges
The Securities and Exchange Commission had alleged that CVS did not tell investors ahead of a 2009 bond offering that it had lost “significant” Medicare Part D revenue. Elsewhere, two drugmakers are ordered to pay $9 billion in damages for failing to disclose the cancer risks for Actos, a diabetes drug.
Maryland A.G. Urges Probe of State Health Exchange
Douglas Gansler, also a Democratic candidate for governor, called on Gov. Martin O’Malley to launch an independent probe of problems and management issues that related to the state’s online insurance marketplace.
Va. Senate Sends Budget With Medicaid Expansion To House
A key Republican leader says, however, that the House will not take up that measure. In Georgia, protesters resume demands for Medicaid expansion and Sen. Mary Landrieu encourages lawmakers in Louisiana to move forward on the effort there.
Democrats And GOP Lock Horns Over Paul Ryan’s Budget
Democrats and Republicans clashed Tuesday over the proposals in Paul Ryan’s budget which includes $5 trillion in cuts over the next decade to several programs, including Medicaid. It would also repealing the health law.
A selection of editorial and opinions on health care from around the country.
The early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of the release of Medicare billing and utilization data, as well as early insights into who enrolled in health coverage as a result of the health law.
HHS Reverses Plan To Cut Medicare Advantage Rates
Administration officials announce that they will slightly boost rates paid to insurers offering the private Medicare plans. In February they had suggested cuts to the funding, but Republican and Democratic lawmakers had opposed the suggestion.
Community Health Centers Face Tough Competition For Newly Insured
A center in the District of Columbia is challenged by a regional hospital system when trying to attract low-income patients who are now insured under the health law. Other media outlets report on a study showing that the chances of getting a doctor’s appointment vary depending on what type of insurance a consumer has, and other implementation issues.
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, Arkansas, New York and Florida.
House Democrats’ Budget Plan Leaves Health Law And Medicare Intact
GOP Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan, in the meantime, would offer seniors a choice between private or traditional Medicare plans and would repeal the health law.
Last-Minute Push Boosted Latino Enrollment
In the meantime, New York officials say they signed up more than 900,000 people — with slightly more than half enrolling in Medicaid.
AMA Won’t Go To Court To Block Wednesday’s Expected Release Of Medicare Physician Billing Records
The Associated Press reported on this development.
Majority Of Medicaid Sign-Ups Centered In 10 States
An analysis from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services found that 80 percent of the 3 million people who enrolled in Medicaid since Oct. 1 were located in 10 states. Also in the news, specific enrollment tallies from Michigan and the latest on Virginia’s legislative stalemate over the expansion.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the Obama administration’s announcement about Medicare Advantage rates.
Survey: Number Of Uninsured Americans Hits New Low
A national survey by Gallup-Healthways finds the share of Americans without health insurance has dropped to the lowest level since before President Barack Obama took office.
