Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Conn. Budget Moves Medicaid Money, Cuts Some Hospital Funding
Connecticut lawmakers approved a budget Monday that moves about $6 billion in federal Medicaid dollars out of the budget. The budget also cuts some hospital funding.
State Highlights: Ore. Mental Health Could See Expansion
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, California, New York, Virginia, Mississippi, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Massachusetts.
D.C. Officials, CareFirst Clash Over Insurance Offerings
The Washington Post reports that D.C. officials have criticized the insurer for cutting the number of small business plans it will offer in the city’s online insurance marketplace. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports the city council is considering a measure that would require all individual and small business plans to be sold through that marketplace by 2015.
Democratic Strategists Urge New Strategy: Embrace The Health Law
Politico reports on this trend.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report about what the Democrats’ health law strategy might be as the 2014 mid-term elections approach.
Chances For Deficit Deal Diminish As Medicare’s Outlook Improves
Last week’s report on Medicare projected that the program’s hospital trust fund would be solvent until 2026 — two years longer than the last prediction. That slowing of health care costs, combined with shrinking near-term federal deficits and partisan gridlock are making a congressional deficit deal unlikely, at least until after the 2014 elections.
Lawsuits, Congressional Charges And Questions About Health Law Initiatives
News outlets explore a range of issues related to the health law’s implementation.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Private Companies Get Mixed Marks On Managed Medicaid
The Atlanta Journal Consitution reports on this development.
A Case Study In U.S. Health Care Costs
The New York Times offers this explainer.
Federal Judge Lifts Ban On Medicare Releasing Individual Doctor Data
A federal judge has lifted the ban on Medicare releasing data on individual doctors to the public. The end on the 33-year ban — after the publishers of The Wall Street Journal sued to end it — could mean closer scrutiny of doctor practices in the program.
MBA Program Offers Doctors Business Background Amid Health Law Changes
An Indiana business school is hoping to catch more doctors interested in learning something about business as the practice of medicine changes.
News outlets report on health exchange developments in California and Florida.
Medicaid Expansion Deepens GOP Intraparty Rifts
The different positions taken by various Republican governors on the health law’s Medicaid expansion underscore the political divisions in play.
HHS Limits Obamacare Options For Small Businesses
A final rule released Friday confirms that a provision of the health law aimed at helping small businesses provide insurance to their employees will be limited until 2015.
State Highlights: Calif. Bill Would Fine Big Employers with Employees on Medi-Cal
A selection of health care policy stories from California, New York, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Arizona and Minnesota.
States Grapple With Mental Health Care After Federal Inaction
Mental health legislation is taking the spotlight in states after federal lawmakers have failed so far to act. In Wisconsin, some mental health care changes gain momentum.
Today’s early morning highlights from major news organizations, including a number of stories detail health law implementation developments.
Slowdown In Medicare Spending Extends Trust Fund
Spending on Medicare and other entitlement programs remains a flash point in the ongoing debate over federal spending and deficit reduction.
