Latest KFF Health News Stories
Employers Sometimes Consider Costs Of Hiring Smokers
NPR reports that the cost of employees who smoke can be seen in health insurance costs.
‘Doc Fix’ Momentum Builds Among House Republicans
GOP staff of the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees released a framework that would serve as the basis for repealing Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula. One House Democrat, though, said the approach wasn’t strong enough to ensure an emphasis on quality instead of volume.
Health Care Issues Take Capitol Hill Stage
Representatives from both sides of the aisle focused on various issues including “dual eligibles,” veterans’ health care, drug-tracking laws and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Viewpoints: Kasich On What Reagan Would Do About Medicaid; The Need For More Doctors
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Law Center Presses Health Plans To Provide Pregnancy Coverage For Dependents
The National Women’s Law Center filed complaints with the Department of Health and Human Services against a number of businesses and universities that don’t include pregnancy coverage for dependents in their health plans. The Center contends this is a violation of the health law.
Wis. GOP-Controlled Budget Panel Sides With Gov. To Reject Medicaid Expansion
News outlets also offer related coverage from New Hampshire, Arizona and Missouri.
Lawmakers ‘Beg’ Sebelius For Child’s Lung Transplant
The circumstances of a 10-year-old girl in urgent need of a transplant have brought to light what some critics say is a questionable policy that puts children further down on the transplant waiting list. The issue was taken up by some GOP lawmakers during an appearnce by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at a House hearing.
The Big Question For Health Exchanges: How Much Will Plans Cost?
Stateline examines the factors that affect pricing on the online marketplaces. News outlets also report on recent developments in California and Washington, D.C.
State Highlights: Wis. May Pay Hospitals For Uninsured Care
A selection of news coverage from Connecticut, Wisconsin, Oregon, Missouri and North Carolina.
N.Y. Governor’s Women’s Rights Proposal Includes Abortion Rights
The controversial final part of a “Women’s Equality Act” advanced by N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo would codify federal abortion rights into state law, prompting opposition.
Docs, Hospitals, Unions Unite To Protest Calif. Planned Medicaid Cut
Health care professionals — doctors, hospitals and unionized health care workers — protested planned cuts to California’s Medicaid system, Medi-Cal, at the state capitol on Tuesday. They say the governor’s proposed budget could shutter a medical center and force doctors to stop taking patients on the program.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the questions about fundraising phone calls faced by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius during a Capitol Hill hearing.
Medicaid Expansion A Good Deal For States, Study Finds
The RAND Corp. study looks at 14 states refusing to expand the federal-state program for the poor under the health law and concludes their share of the costs would be lower than providing uncompensated care to uninsured residents.
Calif. Insurers Owe Millions In Rebates To Small Businesses
The Los Angeles Times reports that Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross owe small business customers more than $35 million in rebates as a result of the health law’s requirements. Meanwhile, Wellpoint announces it will improve its customer Web apps to avoid losing market share as millions shop for new coverage later this year.
Docs Fall Short Of Meeting Standards In Gov’t Push For Electronic Health Records
New research shows that most physicians are not meeting the federal “meaningful use” criteria for electronic health records.
Fewer American Families Report Problems In Paying Medical Bills
According to a survey by the National Center for Health Statistics, a fifth of families say they still struggle with these costs.
White House Conference Spotlights Mental Health Issues
The meeting covered a range of topics — from the need for more training for mental health providers regarding the mental health parity law to the need for people to be more open about mental illness.
AHA: Hospital Consolidation Trend A Positive Development
A study conducted by the American Hospital Association makes the case that the consolidation trend has potential to drive down costs.
HHS Unveils Medicare Claims Data Detailing Hospital Price Information For Outpatient Treatment
The average charges for 30 hospital outpatient procedures show big hospital-to-hospital variation in terms of how much the facilities bill patients for the same service.
Rubio Propses Constitutional Amendment To Invalidate The Individual Mandate
In other Capitol Hill action, the House approved a measure on Monday to set out how the government should track prescription drugs through the distribution chain.
