Latest KFF Health News Stories
House Panel Releases Draft Bill To Repeal Medicare’s Payment System For Doctors
The proposal would get rid of the sustainable growth rate formula and replace it with a system that rewards doctors based on quality and efficiency measures, MedPage Today reports.
UnitedHealth Reports Profit Up 7.4 Percent
The nation’s largest health care insurer says membership is growing and medical costs have been lower than expected.
Lower Premiums — But Only If Right People Buy; Other Health Exchange News
CBS News looks at the dynamics of the health exchanges. In the meantime, officials in Minnesota and Maryland are weighing how to educate consumers about the nuances of the marketplaces, while private organizations are filling that role in Texas.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
The recent announcement of the premium cuts in New York and President Barack Obama’s health speech has galvanized opinion writers.
Based On Preliminary Premiums, HHS Sees Lower-Than-Expected Costs
Coverage of health law implementation issues includes reports about a recent Department of Health and Human Services analysis that concluded premium costs would be less than initially projected in 11 states, as well as news about rate shock, the role of the health law in triggering a shift to part-time work and other issues.
Health Law Continues To Trigger Friction Across Party Lines, And Among Democrats
After a weekend of high-profile action related to the health law, news outlets note that polls indicate it remains a divisive issue — a point that was evident with this week’s House vote to delay the employer and individual mandates, as well as Democrats’ reactions to it.
Community Health Faces New Subpoena Into Medicare Admissions Practices
Community Health has received a subpoena for two executives to testify in an investigation into its Medicare admissions. The hospital operator also reports its income fell 57 percent on weak patient volume and debt.
Texas Gov. Perry Signs Abortion Restrictions Into Law; Fights Still Likely
Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed controversial abortion restrictions into law Thursday, even as abortion-rights supporters readied challenges and said the law will force all but five of the state’s abortion providers to close. Reuters, in the meantime, reports why that might not be true.
State Highlights: Court Hears Arguments On Fla. ‘Gun-Gag’ Law
A selection of health policy news from Florida, Minnesota, Utah, Oregon, Georgia, Wisconsin and California.
Research Roundup: The Cost To States Opting Against Medicaid Expansion
This week’s studies come from JAMA Ophthalmology, Spine, the Annals of Family Medicine, the Urban Institute, The Kaiser Family Foundation and news outlets.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of President Barack Obama’s Thursday speech pitching the positives of the health law.
House Votes To Delay Health Law’s Mandates
Despite White House veto threats, House lawmakers on Wednesday OK’d two separate bills amending portions of the Affordable Care Act, the latest GOP moves to scuttle the health law. A measure putting off the employer mandate was approved 264-161, while a bill delaying the individual mandate was passed 251-174.
Obama’s Thursday Speech To Tout Health Law Benefits
The president’s chief spokesman said the speech will focus on how the overhaul is helping keep health-insurance rates low and resulting in rebates to some Americans.
Funding For Native Americans’ Mental Health Services Hit Hard By Sequestration
Marketplace reports on how mental health services within Indian country are feeling a deep pinch as a result of sequestration.
State Highlights: D.C. Health Care Providers Continue Wait For Payments
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, the District of Columbia, California, Wisconsin, Georgia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington.
Michigan Senate Leader Says Medicaid Expansion Vote Could Come In August
Republican Randy Richardville says the debate will have to wait until a group of senators studying the issue submit their proposal.
Testing Requirements Could Delay Launch Of State Health Exchanges
Government officials said Wednesday during a Capitol Hill hearing that the Oct. 1 deadline may not allow enough time to test the systems that are being put in place to run these online insurance marketplaces.
Coverage Campaign: The White House Effort ‘To Sell’ The Health Law
The Washington Post details how the White House plans to sell the health law and to persuade young people to buy health insurance. Meanwhile, The Hill reports on how a public relations contract related to Obamacare is being boosted by $33 million.
Health Law Backers Hail N.Y. News That Insurance Rates Will Drop
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that premiums for health policies purchased by individuals in the state’s new online marketplace will fall on average 50 percent in 2014.
