Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Life For ‘Death Panel’ Bill, But Same Fights Loom
One lawmaker has reintroduced his bill that would pay Medicare doctors for having “end-of-life” conversations with patients — an idea that has bitterly divided Congress in the past. In the meantime, another lawmaker wants to change — and simplify — Medicare’s reimbursement coding system.
Health Care Professionals Face Workplace Risks, On-The-Job Injuries
Also in the news, a report about trends in physicians’ educational pursuits.
D.C., Minnesota March Forward With Online Insurance Marketplaces
Meanwhile, Medicaid expansion plans continue to be hot topics in Arizona and New Hampshire.
Federal Judge Grants Hobby Lobby A Stay Against Birth Control Coverage Mandate
District Court Judge Joe Heaton gave Department of Justice lawyers until Oct. 1 to appeal.
What Will Insurance Premiums Under Obamacare Look Like?
Kaiser Health News and The Washington Post parse the significance of recent announcements in New York and Indiana.
Defining ’20 Weeks’ Of Pregnancy — States and Doctors Don’t Agree
NPR reports that the way most states define what constitutes 20 weeks of pregnancy in their abortion laws isn’t the same way most doctors define it. In the meantime, Mexican abortion pill sellers just across the border from Texas expect a boon after that state’s new abortion restrictions.
State Highlights: Del. Caps Co-Pays For Some Prescription Drugs
A selection of health policy stories from Delaware, Virginia, California, New York, Washington, North Carolina and Kansas.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the continuing efforts in opposition to the health law as well as a Washington Post investigation into a “flaw” in U.S. health care pricing.
In A Major Pitch, Obama Says Health Law Is Benefiting Consumers
In a Thursday White House speech, President Barack Obama stepped into his role as the overhaul’s campaigner-in-chief and talked about the millions of Americans who are already benefiting from insurance benefits.
Obama’s Health Law Speech: The Politics In Play
News outlets analyze the strategic, political and public opinion dynamics that are currently in play — and offer some fact-checking — as the White House works to inspire public enthusiasm for the measure’s implementation.
Longer Looks: Immigrant Health Tied To Their Status
This week’s articles come from The Atlantic, The New York Times, Scientific American and Time.
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.
