Latest KFF Health News Stories
Detailing Which Doctors Are Frequent Billers For Medicare High-End Office Visits
Propublica digs into recently released Medicare pricing data.
Health Law Reverberations Continue On The Campaign Trail
Politico reports how Scott Brown, in his current New Hampshire senatorial campaign, is being haunted by both the Massachusetts and federal health overhauls. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports on an attack ad in South Dakota.
Consumers Sue Blue Shield Of California Over Doctor, Hospital Network
Elsewhere, California extends the deadline for people on COBRA to get health exchange coverage, and the Associated Press looks at “reference pricing” that could mean bigger bills for some consumers.
Report: Women Unaware Of Health Law’s Benefits; Obstacles To Care Remain
The study from the Kaiser Family Foundation also found that one in five women were uninsured late in 2013 and that structural barriers to getting care remain.
Lawmakers Question VA Secretary Over Wait Times, Possible Deaths
Amid growing calls for his resignation, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki answered a Senate panel’s questions Thursday over allegations that a VA hospital in Phoenix kept secret lists to make wait times seem shorter.
Lawmakers Call For Investigation Of ‘Do Nothing’ Health Law Workers
GOP Sens. Roy Blunt and Lamar Alexander want an investigation into what’s happening at a health law insurance processing center in Kentucky after some employees say they sit idle. Their company, Serco, was awarded up to $1.25 billion to process health law insurance applications.
Viewpoints: ‘A Lot To Explain’ At VA; Pence’s Medicaid Plan; Lack Of Competition In Some Markets
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Medical Malpractice On Calif. Ballot; Missouri Abortion Battle
A selection of health policy stories from California, Missouri, Nevada, Iowa, Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin.
Research Roundup: Evaluating Hospitalists’ Workload; Hispanics And Medicare Part D
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, JAMA Internal Medicine, the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, the journal Cancer and JAMA Surgery.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Indiana governor’s alternative plan to expand Medicaid.
Confirmation Path Appears Smooth For Obama Pick To Take The Helm At HHS
Sylvia Mathews Burwell received a friendly reception from both sides of the aisle during her second confirmation hearing, during which she pledged to try to recoup any taxpayer funds that may have been misused on flawed state websites and defended the “unilateral” changes the Obama administration has made to the health law.
Oregon Confronts New Costs, Deadlines In Switch To Federal Exchange
In addition, allegations are emerging about the Wentzville, Mo., processing center that handled paper applications for new health law insurance coverage.
Three Large Insurers Join Forces For Health Care Price Transparency
A partnership was announced Wednesday among insurers UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Humana and the Health Care Cost Institute to create a payment database that will be available at no cost to the public.
Clinton Tells Democrats To Run Campaigns On Health Law
But the former President also conceded that some Democrats may have to campaign against or stay away from the health law to have a chance at winning contentious races.
U.S. Urges Daily Pill For Those At Risk Of AIDS
The recommendation could transform AIDS prevention from reliance on condoms to a regimen that relies on an antiretroviral drug. Meanwhile, a report analyzes the costs and benefits of treating prison inmates for hepatitis-C and a study finds that nearly half of American adults take prescriptions.
Gov. Brewer Asks Ariz. High Court To Overturn Medicaid Expansion Challenge
The governor’s lawyers filed an appeal Wednesday arguing that the lawmakers who filed the initial lawsuit did not have standing to post the challenge.
State Highlights: 700 Nurses Needed In Calif. County; Nursing Home Funding In Maine
A selection of health policy stories from California, Missouri, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas and Georgia.
Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines Could Cost Medicare Billions
A study of Medicare beneficiaries with a history of heavy smoking found that new lung cancer screening guidelines would likely double the proportion of lung cancers found at an early stage, but at a steep cost of more than $9 billion over five years. Meanwhile, a new Medicare program means that seniors will soon have the option to receive palliative care services from certain hospice providers while still getting treatment for their illness.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Health Law To Help Some Retire Sooner
Those looking to leave the workforce before age 65 but worried about losing their health coverage may feel freer to retire thanks to the health law, a new report concludes. Other stories look at the benefit calculations of midsized companies and the advent of accountable care organizations.
