Latest KFF Health News Stories
Sen. Grassley Pushes On In Medicare ‘Political Intel’ Probe
The Wall Street Journal writes that the Iowa Republican, who is looking into how investors got advance word of a Medicare financial policy decision, is also asking about comments by his Utah colleague’s staffer.
Reid Adds To Capitol Hill Dems’ Health Law Implementation Concerns
Senate majority leader becomes the latest prominent Democrat to express concerns about the rollout of the law, placing blame on the Obama administration and on Republicans for resisting adequate funding.
State Highlights: New Health Care Oversight Laws In Md.
A selection of health policy stories from Maryland, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, California, Oregon, Florida and Massachusetts.
Obama Plan For Medicare, Social Security Draws Ire From Liberal Groups
McClatchy reports on the political repurcussions of these elements of President Barack Obama’s budget proposal.
Research Roundup: Surgical Care At Critical Access Hospitals
This week’s studies come from JAMA Surgery, the Annals of Emergency Medicine, the Rand Corp., the Dartmouth Atlans Project, the California Healthcare Foundation and news outlets.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Medicaid expansion’s red state prospects.
Medicaid Expansion: Where Do States Stand?
Stateline reports that seven states could still go either way on pursuing this element of the health law. Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers may be out of time to reach a deal, while some Nebraska lawmakers are attempting to break a logjam. In Ohio, the sparring continues.
CMS Chief Expresses Optimism About Federal Exchange Enrollment
But other signs, such as the number of insurance carriers applying to sell policies in Illinois’ health insurance marketplace, suggest cause for concern. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports on the downside of the Obama administration’s shorter application form for purchasing insurance through the exchanges.
Oregon Study Offers Insights Into Reach Of Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion
The landmark study, which appears in The New England Journal of Medicine, analyzed data from the Oregon Health Study, which compared low-income people in that state who had access to Medicaid with a similar population that did not. The findings offer insights into how Medicaid coverage impacts overall health and health costs.
Obama Administration Plans Appeal Of ‘Plan B’ Ruling
The Obama administration signals that it will challenge a federal judge’s order that would make an emergency contraception drug available over-the-counter to women of all ages. The move comes a day after the FDA said the contraception should be available in that way to anyone older than 15.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
High Costs Of Cancer Drugs May Harm Patients, Say Experts
Medscape reports that a group of international leukemia experts issued this caution.
Concerns Surround Medical Records Privacy Issues
The Wall Street Journal reports on how new federal rules and marketplace changes are fueling these developments.
GOP Lawmakers Offer Medicaid ‘Per Capita Cap’ Plan
The proposal was offered by Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the top Republican on the Finance Committee. In addition, Politico reports that advocates are lining up to attempt to convince Congress to find ways to fix the across-the-board cuts put in place by sequestration.
Hospitals Warn Of Lost Jobs, Patient Services After Proposed Payment Changes
Changes in how hospitals are paid make news in Minnesota — where the state’s largest health plan will delay a new payment system — and Maryland — where hospitals say a cut in pay to them will mean fewer jobs and patient services.
Subpoenas Issued Regarding Last Month’s Leak Of Medicare Decision That Triggered Stock Market Surge
The Washington Post reports on this development.
State Roundup: Calif. Regulator Says Insurer’s Proposed Rate Hikes Are ‘Unreasonable’
A selection of health policy stories from California, Iowa, Maryland, Georgia, Oregon and North Carolina.
Insurers’ Rate Requests Provide Few Clues For Determining Costs
The Associated Press reports that, because many steps remain in the rate-setting process, the initial rates announced by insurers do not offer “clarity.” In other health law news, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius encouraged Latino business leaders to spread the word about the overhaul’s coverage expansions, and Reuters reports on a proposed Internal Revenue Service rule about employer-sponsored health plans and wellness programs.
Weekend Reading: Overweight Doctors; ADHD Diagnosis Wars
This week’s articles come from Mother Jones, Scientific American, Salon, The New York Times and The Atlantic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a study detailing how expanded Medicaid access impacts beneficiaries’ utilization of health care services and their overall physical health.
