Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Miss. Gov. Says Medicaid Can Go On Without Reauthorization
A selection of health policy news from Mississippi, Kansas, California, Georgia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Colorado.
Cantor Schedules (Yet Another) Health Law Repeal Vote
The vote, which is likely to take place next week, will be the first one in 2013. There have been more than 30 votes to repeal all or parts of the health overhaul since its passage in 2010.
Longer Looks: A Wife’s Alzheimer’s; Doctors and Drug Companies
This week’s articles come from the Los Angeles Times, the Atlantic, The New York Times, The American Spectator, The New Republic and Health Affairs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the politics surrounding the health law, both in terms of the latest GOP push for repeal and the Obama administration’s implementation efforts.
‘Grand Bargain’ Budget Deal Appears Increasingly Unlikely
News outlets report that pressure is easing as the federal government’s “red ink” recedes, leaving Democrats far less likely to consider the major changes to Medicare that Republicans view as the building block for any agreement.
Hospital Billing Varies Widely For The Same Procedures, Medicare Data Show
Data being released for the first time by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services show how billing varies not just between regions, but among hospitals in the same city.
GOP Supermajority In Missouri Scuttles Medicaid Expansion Plans
Lawmakers opt to set up committees to study the issue instead. In Texas, some tea party-affiliated lawmakers threaten to reject the state budget if negotiators include a rider that would allow discussions about expanding coverage with the federal government. Efforts in California, meanwhile, move forward with a $26.5 million injection from the California Endowment.
NIH Official Raises Concerns About New Psychiatry Manual
The director of the National Institute of Mental Health says the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 lacks validity, and his organization plans to launch a possible replacement diagnostic tool.
Calif. Senate Leader Readies Mental Health Service Expansion
The California Senate leader is proposing increasing mental health services to reduce how many end up in jail or ERs. In Massachusetts, officials plan greater scrutiny of how insurers cover mental health care.
The Challenge Young People Pose To The Health Law
HealthyCal reports on the importance of enrolling the so-called “young invincibles” in health care plans. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports on a new court case against the health law based on arguments the plaintiff says were not part of the Supreme Court’s review last summer.
Doctors Praise GOP’s Plans For Medicare Pay But Seek Uniform Quality Measures
At a Capitol Hill hearing, physicians offered thoughts about Republican efforts to change the way they are paid by Medicare. Meanwhile, Speaker John Boehner said the House may again consider a bill that would use money slated for prevention efforts to fund high-risk insurance pools.
State Roundup: Ala. Lawmakers OK Shift To Medicaid Managed Care
A selection of health policy stories from Alabama, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Connecticut, North Carolina and Georgia.
Harkin Lifts Hold On Tavenner Nomination To Lead CMS
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the timing for a Senate vote on her confirmation as head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is unclear.
Viewpoints: Capitol Hill Antics On Budget; A Mom’s Concern About Plan B Decision
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Federal Judge Criticizes FDA Regarding Plan B Contraception Decision
Judge Edward R. Korman said the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts to delay his ruling regarding the so-called morning-after pill was “nonsense” and would hurt poor and minority women.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about government data showing the wide variation in what hospitals charge Medicare patients for common inpatient procedures.
Harkin Releases Hold On Tavenner; Reid Says Timing For Vote Is Unclear
After Sen. Tom Harkin announced his decision, Majority Leader Harry Reid said it was unclear when the Senate would vote on the nomination of Marilyn Tavenner to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Harkin Lifts Hold On Tavenner Nomination
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said Tuesday that he would allow the nomination of Marilyn Tavenner to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to go forward. He maintained, however, his objections to administration plans to transfer money from the health law’s prevention fund to support other activities.
Studies Suggest Slowdown In Health Care Costs May Last
The two studies in Health Affairs suggest that recent decreases in the rate of growth of health care spending may be a result of changes in how consumers pay for care and greater efficiency in how it is delivered and, therefore, may continue after the economy recovers.
