Latest KFF Health News Stories
Spending For Veterans’ Care Delayed
Bloomberg reports that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has put off more than $765 million in spending authorized for equipment and care. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports on how securing disability compensation has become a battle for many Vietnam Veterans.
Job Prospects For Nurses Not So Rosy
Georgia Health News reports on this surprising trend.
States Officials Wrestle With Medicaid Expansion And Related Issues
Media reports detail the latest on the debate in Mississippi, Michigan, Louisiana, Arizona, California and Iowa.
Catholic-Secular Hospital Mergers Further Complicate Abortion-Rights Battlefield
Mergers between Catholic and secular hospitals could mean wider restriction of abortion, even as lawmakers in many states consider tighter regulation or bans on the procedure.
Medicare Lags In Detecting Hazardous Prescribing Patterns
An analysis by ProPublica and The Washington Post has found that Medicare does little to track doctor prescription patterns when they’re prescribing potentially hazardous drugs.
Medicare Reveals What Hospitals Charge For Many Procedures
News outlets continue plumbing newly released federal data that details for the first time what hospitals charge for some of the most common in-patient procedures.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
White House Identifies Key Groups For Health Exchange Enrollment
Also, the Obama administration OKs Utah’s dual health exchange while news outlets report on developments from South Carolina, Colorado and Connecticut.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has been seeking out funds from private sources to support efforts to publicize the health law.
The President’s Impassioned Health Law Speech: ‘We’re Going To Keep Fighting’
President Barack Obama was unusually detailed in his defense of the law, emphasizing the scope of insurance coverage for many Americans.
Competition Spurs Oregon Insurers To Lower Proposed Rates
As soon as Oregon this week became the fourth state to publicly list health insurers’ proposed 2014 rates for individual and small group coverage, two plans moved to cut their suggested prices.
Community Health Centers Get $150M To Help Uninsured Enroll In New Coverage
The funding is to hire staff, train existing staff and perform outreach and educational activities. The idea is to help consumers sign up for coverage sold through new online insurance marketplaces that are scheduled to open on Oct. 1 under the Affordable Care Act.
Obama To Talk Health Law’s Benefits For Women, Families
In an effort to rally public support for the overhaul, President Barack Obama will talk about provisions that benefit women as part of a Mother’s Day-themed event.
GOP Leaders Refuse To Name Candidates For Medicare Cost Control Board
House Speaker John Boehner tells reporters that he and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will not nominate anyone to serve on the Independent Payment Advisory Board.
Who Is Responsible For Retired Football Players’ Medical Costs?
The Washington Post reports on how many NFL players fall through the cracks.
Viewpoints: The Threat From ‘Contagion Exhaustion;’ An Economist Sees Humor In Hospital Pricing
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Older Americans Fare Well With Budget Impasse Regarding Medicare, Other Entitlements
The Associated Press explores the generational issues in play regarding Medicare and other entitlement program.
Senate Bill On FDA Oversight Of Compounding Pharmacies Gets Broad Backing As Hearings Move Closer
A bill to give the FDA greater authority over compounding pharmacies like the one behind a deadly meningitis outbreak gets broad — including bipartisan — backing, and a key committee chairman readies a hearing on the legislation.
Feds Offer Positive Signals About Progress On Health Exchanges
USA Today reports that federal officials say the government is meeting deadlines, testing systems and putting the infrastructure in place to get these online insurance marketplaces up and running. Also, Modern Healthcare reports that the National Association of Health Underwriters is urging extensive training for the exchange navigators.
In States That Opt Against Medicaid Expansion, Rural Areas Could Miss Out
Also in the news, updates from Kentucky, where Gov. Steve Beshear announced he will proceed with the expansion; Michigan, where lawmakers advance a plan to expand Medicaid — with conditions; and California, where a compromise proposal continues to be a hot topic.
