Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicaid Physician Pay Boost Stalled By Delay In Federal Regs
Modern Healthcare reports that the temporary Medicaid physician payment increase was slated to take effect Jan. 1.
House Ways And Means Committee Chair Says ‘Doc Fix’ Is On His To-Do List
And a Tuesday hearing of the House Ways and Means health subcommittee focused on options for finding cost savings in the traditional Medicare program.
Efforts to Copy Biotech Drugs Face Delays, Obstacles
The Wall Street Journal reports on this development.
Arkansas Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Abortion After 20 Weeks
The move by the Democratic governor sets up an override fight with a Republican legislature that wants the ban to apply except in cases of rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in danger.
State Roundup: Health Care Industry Calls Drug Testing Bill In N.H. ‘Vague’
A selection of health policy stories from New Hampshire, Oregon, Kansas and California.
Sequester Scare Touches Issues Related To Medicare, Medicaid Spending
The $85 billion in scheduled spending cuts to defense and discretionary accounts are scheduled to kick in Friday, and movement toward a last-ditch strategy has not been evident.
First Edition: February 27, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about N.J. Gov. Christie’s decision to pursue the health law’s Medicaid expansion.
Governors Mull Medicaid Expansion As White House Signals States May Reduce Payments
With federal budget cuts looming, the nation’s governors met in Washington and discussed whether or not to expand Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act.
Is Avoiding Sequestration Possible?
Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., told the Wall Street Journal that he would consider a tax increase if it is accompanied by reductions in entitlement spending. Meanwhile, administration, state and local officials continue to express concern about the automatic cuts that are scheduled to kick in Friday.
State Roundup: Kan. Eyes Rural Residencies To Solve Doc Shortage; More Hats In Mass. Gov. Race
A selection of health policy stories from Kansas, New York, Massachusetts, South Carolina, North Carolina and Connecticut.
Report: Calif. Could Save $110B By Better Coordinating Health Care
In addition, state lawmakers and others consider what changes the health law could have in store for coverage in California — and not all of them are good.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Long-Term Care Poses Health Policy Challenges
CQ Healthbeat examines how the challenges of providing long-term care services to the nation’s aging population are growing. Meanwhile, writing for KHN, consumer columnist Michelle Andrews details a development in the long-term care insurance market.
Remembrance: C. Everett Koop, Influential Surgeon General, Dies At 96
Koop was well-known for confronting high visibility and sometimes controversial public health issues.
Capitol Hill Hot Topics: Mental Health, Abortion And Entitlement Cuts
Roll Call explores how some lawmakers have strong personal connections to issues related to mental health and gun violence. Meanwhile, anti-abortion advocates are eyeing the next continuing resolution as a vehicle to soften the Obama administration’s birth control coverage mandate. Finally, Treasury secretary nominee Jack Lew answers questions about entitlements.
First Edition: February 26, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report that the administration has signaled to states that they can cut back on Medicaid payments to providers in order to control program costs.
With Sequester Day Looming, Politics Become More Entrenched
Some news outlets take a hard look at the impact that health programs would feel if the scheduled cuts go forward.
Governors Brace For Impact Of Scheduled Cuts In Home States
The nation’s governors met in Washington over the weekend, and among their hottest topics: a White House warning regarding the state-by-state impact of sequestration, which is scheduled to kick in March 1.
Debate rages over state officials’ decisions on whether to participate in the health law program.
Anemia Medication Recall Could Affect Thousands Of Kidney-Disease Patients
The Wall Street Journal reports on the impact this recall could have on the marketplace.
