Latest KFF Health News Stories
This week’s articles come from The Nation, Forbes, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic and the Los Angeles Times.
Research Roundup: Studying States’ Readiness For Insurance Exchanges
Health policy research and briefs this week come from Health Affairs, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Dartmouth Atlas Project, the Centers for Studying Health System Change and the California HealthCare Foundation.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how, after months of battle, Arizona lawmakers endorsed a Medicaid expansion plan backed by Gov. Jan Brewer.
Survey: Employers ‘Pessimistic’ About Health Law Costs
The Wall Street Journal reports on a survey that finds companies increasingly “pessimistic” they can avoid health care cost increases they believe will stem from the overhaul. Politico reports that insurers are showing little interest in small business exchanges. Also in the news, Indiana House Republicans worry that schools are cutting employee hours to avoid health law penalties.
Details Emerging About Costs For Health Plans Available Through Health Exchanges
CNN Money reports that some consumers may be surprised by the out-of-pocket costs — including deductibles and co-payments — these plans include. Other news outlets report on developments related to online marketplaces in California, Minnesota and Colorado.
House Panel Votes To Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy
An aide to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said a vote by the full House is planned later this month. Rep. Trent Frank, R-Ariz., one of the bill’s sponsors on the House Judiciary Committee, drew criticism for arguing against an amendment to exclude victims of rape and incest by saying that the pregnancy rate from rape is “very low.”
Viewpoints: ‘Tyranny’ Over Insurers; Obama’s Promises; Rep. Franks’s Abortion Claim
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
End-Of-Life Care: Study Finds Quality Improving But Costs Increasing
A brief by the Dartmouth Institute finds that Medicare spending for chronically ill patients at the end of life went up more than 15 percent from 2007 to 2010.
Accenture: Boom Ahead For Retail Health Clinics
According to the consulting firm Accenture, the number of retail clinics will likely double by the end of 2015 — a trend fueled by the demand for care by consumers who will become insured under the health law. Meanwhile, the Fiscal Times examines why some physicians are choosing not to accept any health insurance.
House Lawmakers Closer On Medicare Pay Overhaul, Medicaid Pay Increase
House lawmakers move closer to proposing a plan to overhaul how Medicare pays doctors and wonder how they can increase doctors’ Medicaid pay — typically the purview of states.
Judge OKs Administration Plan On ‘Morning After’ Pill
A federal judge Wednesday accepted the Obama administration’s plan to make the Plan B One-Step “morning after” pill available over the counter to buyers of all ages, winding down a decade-long fight on the pill.
Elsewhere, some groups are pushing back against a plan to push mental health records into a national gun background-check database.
Ariz. Gov. Claims A Win As House Approves Medicaid Expansion Plan
The Arizona House early Thursday passed an $8.8 billion state budget that includes a proposal to pursue the health law’s Medicaid expansion. News outlets also report on related action in Ohio and Michigan.
Nonsurgical Abortions To Resume In Wis. As Lawmakers There Pass Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Bill
In Wisconsin, a judge’s ruling is allowing nonsurgical abortions there to resume. In the state Senate, lawmakers passed a bill requiring women get an ultrasound before they get an abortion.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada and Oregon.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how employers are preparing for some parts of the health law to kick in.
Crunch Time For States Still On Fence About Medicaid Expansion
As states’ legislative sessions draw to a close, some lawmakers are pressing for action. Meanwhile, media outlets track updates in Michigan, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Colorado, Ohio and Alabama.
Early Signs That ACOs Are Boosting Care, Saving Money
Bloomberg reports that hospitals across the U.S. are improving care and saving millions by creating accountable care organizations, one of the least-touted provisions of the health care law. In other news, Politico reports on a town hall meeting on the health law in Baltimore. Also, the Wall Street Journal details the steps one company is taking in anticipation of the 2014 coverage mandate.
House Panel To Investigate Alleged IRS Seizure Of Medical Records
The House Energy and Commerce Committee contacted the Internal Revenue Service Tuesday to request information about a 2011 search and seizure of as many as 60 million medical records from a California health care provider.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
