Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Insurance Coverage And Access To Care In Massachusetts
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the Journal Of General Internal Medicine and Health Affairs, and from a research brief by The Kaiser Family Foundation and The Urban Institute.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including various reports about state abortion laws and related legal challenges.
House GOP, Senate Dems To Unveil Competing Budget Plans Next Week
As President Barack Obama courts Republican lawmakers who might be interested in a “grand bargain,” the chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees are expected to release competing budget proposals. Some hope a conference committee might be able to work out the differences on taxes and spending, including changes to Medicare.
Cruz To Offer Amendment To ‘Defund’ Health Law
The amendment to the continuing resolution — a bill to fund the federal government after March 27 — will be offered by freshman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, when the Democrat-controlled Senate considers the measure. Cruz’s action is not expected to go anywhere, but it comes amid conservative griping that GOP lawmakers are not doing enough to block the law.
Sen. Graham Gun Bill Would Bar More With Mental Illness From Buying Guns
Politico reports that the measure, which has the backing of the National Rifle Association, also adds to a list of disqualifiers that limits who can buy a gun.
Health Insurers Launch TV Campaign Opposing Medicare Advantage Cuts
The ads, including a 30-second TV spot that will run in a dozen states and Washington, D.C., are designed to increase pressure on Congress and the Obama administration to stop proposed 2.3 percent cuts to these private plans. In addition, some analysts predict earnings drops for some insurers if the cuts go forward.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Officials, State Workers Criticize Different Health Coverage Rate Hikes In California
The increases are largely set to hit small businesses, individual plans and long-term care coverage. In the meantime, the state’s proposed partnership with Wal-Mart to help enroll people in new coverage comes under scrutiny.
Recession Not To Blame For Cost Increases At Not-For-Profit Hospitals, Study Says
Modern Healthcare reports on the findings of a new study related to not-for-profit hospital prices.
Weekend Reading: A Cancer Hospital’s Controversial Admission Procedures
This week’s articles come from ProPublica, Reuters, The Atlantic, The New York Times and Health Affairs.
Ark. Lawmakers Override Veto, Ban Most Abortions After 12 Weeks Of Pregnancy
In the meantime, a federal judge in Idaho has struck down a law in that state that bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Health Law Implementation: Is The Overhaul Leading To Layoffs?
The Federal Reserve’s “beige book” cites the law as a reason for layoffs and a hiring slowdown. Also, the National Retail Federation is backing efforts by some GOP congressional lawmakers to repeal the employer mandate.
Statehouses Become Next Flashpoint For Medicaid Expansion Debates
Even as Republican governors like Rick Scott in Florida have chosen to back the health law’s Medicaid expansion, they are facing push back from GOP-controlled legislatures.
State Roundup: Ga. Panel Picked To Implement Provider Fee
A selection of state health policy stories from New Jersey, Arizona, Georgia, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Colorado.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports detailing what to expect next week when the congressional budget debate kicks off.
Obama Reaches Out To Rank-And-File Republicans To Make Deal
Though the Obama administration and congressional Republicans are working to minimize the pinch of the sequester’s short-term spending cuts, both sides are preparing for another Medicare battle.
Ryan’s Medicare Plan Said To Back Away From Age Cutoff
News organizations report that House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is expected to exempt people 55 years old and older from his Medicare overhaul – despite his personal preference to raise that age to 56.
Technology Aids, Such As Electronic Alerts, May Help Prevent Missed Diagnoses
But the authors of the analysis of past studies on electronic-based patient safety efforts say few of those studies have tracked direct improvements to patient health.
State Roundup: Panels Formed To Fight Federal Powers, Health Law
A selection of health policy stories from Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, California, Colorado and Maryland.
Medical Pricing Transparency: Sometimes The Real Cost Matters
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports on this issue.
