Latest KFF Health News Stories
Patient-care workers at the University of California’s hospitals will vote this week on whether to strike over staffing levels, pay and their pensions. In the meantime, two unions vie to represent health care workers at Kaiser Permanente.
California Wrestles With Growing Medicaid Costs
California Healthline talks to officials and consumer advocates about changes in the program. Meanwhile, a D.C.-based firm looks likely to get a new contract and Kansas is planning to give more residents services.
State Roundup: Health Costs Could Undermine State Budget Recoveries
A selection of health policy stories from California, Virginia, Nevada, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Obama administration has simplified the application for health insurance benefits under the health law.
Colorado Medicaid Expansion Moves Forward With One Republican Vote
The state Senate is expected to approve the House version of a Medicaid expansion bill on Tuesday and send it to the desk of Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, who has said he will sign it.
Exchange Implementation: News From The White House And The Field
Politico reports that the Obama administration is facing challenges as it moves into a critical time implementing the health law. Meanwhile, a contract is awarded for a call center to handle questions about the health exchanges run by the federal government.
Florida House Rejects Federal Medicaid Expansion Funds
The Florida House of Representatives passed its own limited health care bill that relies on state money to expand coverage to the state’s neediest residents. Also in the news, reports from Ohio, Montana, Texas, Nebraska and Arizona on the status of state decision-making regarding the expansion.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Medicaid: Texas Docs Lose Money; Jindal Adm. Official Has ‘Improper Contact’ With Contractor
News outlets report on Medicaid developments in Louisiana and Texas.
Federal Gov’t. Moves Against Nevada Hospital For Alleged Patient Dumping
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services gave Nevada 10 days to correct problems at Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital following reports it may have improperly discharged patients and bused them out of state.
Obama Tells Planned Parenthood He’ll Fight To Maintain Abortion Rights
President Obama told attendees of Planned Parenthood’s annual meeting that he will fight to maintain abortion rights and the group’s federal backing. In the meantime, an antiabortion group releases undercover videos it took at abortion clinics.
State Highlights: Ore. For-Profit Hospitals’ Charity Care Lags
A selection of health policy stories from Mississippi, Oregon, Connecticut and California.
CMS Plans To Increase Medicare Hospital Payments By 0.8%
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the proposed increase Friday, which will raise payments for services that elderly and disabled patients receive after being admitted to hospitals.
Research Roundup: Young Women And Delays In Breast Cancer Diagnosis
This week’s studies come from JAMA Surgery, the American Journal of Public Health, Health Affairs, HHS and news outlets.
Some GOP Lawmakers Are Shifting Focus From Medicare To The Tax Code
House Republican leaders began a series of meetings last week to sell this idea to their rank-and-file members. Also in Capitol Hill news, cancer clinics argue that Congress should have addressed the cuts they took as a result of sequestration before turning to the spending reductions’ impact on air travel.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report that hospitals are questioning Medicare’s rules on readmissions.
Vangent Gets $28 Million Contract For Health Marketplace Call Center
The federal government has awarded a $28.2 million contract to a General Dynamics subsidiary to run a call center to handle consumer questions about the new online insurance marketplaces that are slated to begin selling insurance policies Oct. 1.
Dems Worry About Health Law Rollout, GOP Plans Attacks
For Democrats, anxieties are running high regarding the political impact of a messy rollout of the overhaul and expected premium increases for some groups. Meanwhile, GOP leaders push a series of bills aimed at dismantling or altering the law in an effort to publicize what they say are its shortcomings.
A Health Exchange Exemption: Capitol Hill’s Big Headache
There is talk around the halls of Congress regarding whether lawmakers and congressional aides will be given an exemption from a part of the health law that requires them to obtain their health coverage from online insurance marketplaces.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
