Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Finds Doctors Not Following Medical Guidelines On Back Pain
Researchers report that physicians are often overly aggressive by prescribing addictive narcotics to patients instead of other recommended drugs and too often using surgery and unneeded imaging tools.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a USA Today story reporting that personal health care costs rose in the 12 months ending in May at the slowest rate in the last 50 years — a finding that makes the White House happy.
Selling Of Obamacare Begins In Earnest
President Barack Obama tells the New York Times that his plan to build support for the health law is simply to implement it. Meanwhile, high level aides and supporters meet to craft a new message, while volunteers for the nonprofit Enroll America fan out across the country to tell the uninsured about new coverage options.
Maryland Regulators Approve Premium Rates Much Lower Than Insurers Sought
The Maryland insurance commissioner Therese M. Goldsmith approved premium increases Friday for nine insurance companies who applied to sell plans to individuals through a state exchange, which was established by the health law.
Effort To Defund Health Law Complicates Budget Talks
The Wall Street Journal reports that Obama administration officials are stepping up meetings with Senate Republicans in hopes of avoiding a deadline clash over federal spending this fall. One of the flashpoints is the Republican demand to defund Obamacare as part of any deal.
U.S. Bans New Home Health, Ambulance Providers In Three High-Fraud Cities From Medicare, Medicaid
Federal officials are temporarily banning certain types of home health and ambulance providers in three major, high-fraud cities from enrolling in Medicare or Medicaid.
This Week On Capitol Hill: Repeal Vote Number 40
The House of Representatives will consider a bill that would prevent the Internal Revenue Service from implementing the law. Specifically, it states that neither the Treasury secretary nor any designee of the Treasury secretary may implement any part of the Affordable Care Act.
Fewer Doctors Treating Medicare Patients, CMS Says
Amid payment rates and rules they dislike, more doctors are opting to not treat Medicare patients, say the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In the meantime, health care providers ready different models to change how Medicare pays doctors.
Proposed Abortion Ban Breeds New Generation Of GOP Leaders
A new generation of Republican leaders band together under the abortion-issue umbrella.
Federal Appeals Court Rejects Company’s Contraception Coverage Challenge
The court’s divided decision makes it more likely the Supreme Court will have to decide if companies making a secular product have to provide contraception coverage to their employees — a major tenet of the 2010 health care law.
Mississippi, Nevada Wrestle With The Development Of Their Health Exchanges
In other state and local health law implementation news, the health law may prove key to Detroit’s efforts to manuever its bankruptcy process. Also, opponents in many states focus on limiting what they see as “the long arm of Washington.”
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Mass. Insurers Back Out Of Disabled Adults Experiment
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts and California.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the White House’s strategy for building support for the health law.
Some GOP Lawmakers Advance Plan For Health Law Showdown
Politico reports that a feud is brewing among Republicans about whether to use a government funding measure to choke off funding for the law’s implementation ahead of this fall’s budget battles.
Buying Obamacare Coverage Online May Require More Than Clicks
The Associated Press notes that shopping online for health insurance this fall may not be as easy as supporters have described since some tools may not be in place by Oct. 1. Meanwhile, Politico reports on warnings by Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, that consumers who misreport their income to qualify for insurance subsidies will have to pay them back the following year.
Research Roundup: Even Parents With A Pediatrician Often Choose Retail Clinics
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, JAMA Pediatrics, JAMA, The Kaiser Family Foundation and news outlets.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Coalition Begins Effort For Ballot Initiative To Lift California’s Malpractice Cap
Supporters hope their proposal will qualify for the November 2014 ballot. In response, a second coalition — this one consisting of doctors and hospitals — is working to defeat the measure.
State Highlights: Officials Fight N.Y. Hospital Reopening After Sandy
A selection of health policy stories from New York, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida and California.
