Latest KFF Health News Stories
Roundup: D.C. Sued Over Medicaid Reimbursement; Vt. To Post Health Care Rates
A selection of health policy news from the District of Columbia, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Oregon, Minnesota, Oklahoma and California.
Louisiana Health Secretary Submits Resignation
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s health secretary — Bruce Greenstein — is resigning amid a probe into a Medicaid contract he awarded to a former employer.
Years After Law, Kennedy Continues Mental Health Coverage Parity Battle
A mental health parity law passed in 2008, yet one of the measure’s key backers — former Congressman Patrick Kennedy — continues the fight for equal coverage of mental illness. He is meeting mixed success.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
As Hyperactivity Diagnoses Rise, Concerns Grow About Overmedication Of Children
New CDC data shows that nearly one in five boys have a medical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Other public health issues highlighted by news outlets include stroke risks in younger people, prescription-drug deaths and OSHA policies.
Concerns Raised About Effect Of Medicare’s Readmission Penalty
The New York Times explores the new policy that penalizes hospitals if they have too many patients return within 30 days. Meanwhile, in Maryland, officials are weighing an ambitious plan to control hospital costs.
Supporters Of Medicaid Expansion Fight To Be Heard In Some Statehouses
Mississippi House Democrats blocked passage of the state’s Medicaid budget Sunday to force a vote on expanding the program, while supporters and critics do battle in Missouri, Montana and Arkansas.
GOP Opposition To Health Law Hurts Efforts To Court Hispanics
The Los Angeles Times reports that Latinos, who have the lowest rates of health coverage in the country, are among the strongest supporters of the health law. Meanwhile, AP examines the hard opposition to the overhaul in the South, led by Republican governors representing some of the poorest and least healthy states.
Federal Officials Look To Mass Marketing To Sell Health Law
The administration faces a tough challenge to get the public to understand and accept the health law — and then, to sign up the millions without coverage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including several articles examining the difficulties of implementing the health law.
Viewpoints: Time To Focus On Prices; Entitlement Programs And Generational Warfare
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
Report Finds Most Restaurant Children’s Meals Are Still Unhealthy
Many menu items don’t meet the restaurant association’s own standards for healthful children’s meals, the New York Times reports. In other public health news, a government study finds no link between vaccines and autism.
Doctors Renew Lobbying To Change Medicare Payment Formula
The American Medical Association is pushing hard to get Congress to make a permanent “doc fix,” The Hill reports.
Health Industry Faces Shortage Of IT Professionals
In addition, a regulation permitting hospitals to donate medical records software to doctors is scheduled to expire.
Potential Pact On Medicare Changes Could Lead To Budget Deal
The New York Times reports that a possible agreement between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans on “broad systemic changes to Medicare” could help spur a budget deal. And The Wall Street Journal reports the White House is weighing inclusion of some entitlement changes in its 2014 budget proposal as a way to prod further talks.
Study Predicts 30% Premium Increase For Some Californians Who Buy Their Own Insurance
The increases, prompted by the federal health law, will be offset for many people by new federal tax subsidies, the report suggests.
Study Highlights Cost Savings Of Generic Drugs
Consumer Reports offers new analysis that finds not all patients realize they can save big by shopping around for drugs. Meanwhile, two outlets look at insurance coverage issues for couples.
Hospitals Often Don’t Tell Patients About Assistance Programs To Help Pay Bills
ABC reports that although nonprofit hospitals are obligated to give back to the community, they often don’t ease the strain for patients with financial difficulties. And in other news, The New York Times looks at efforts to cut emergency room care costs.
The latest developments in health policy from California, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.
Oklahoma Dentist Called ‘Menace To The Public Health’
Dr. W. Scott Harrington faces an April 19 hearing over unsanitary conditions that may have exposed patients to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection. Health inspectors went to his practice after a patient with no known risk factors tested positive for both hepatitis C and the virus that causes AIDS.
