Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obama Budget Would Up Medicare Costs For Higher-Income Seniors
The Associated Press examines how President Barack Obama’s budget proposal would increase Medicare costs for some seniors while other news outlets report on reactions from the left and right.
Obama Discusses Health Exchanges And Premium ‘Rate Shock’ With Insurers
Media outlets report on a White House meeting between the president and insurance executives, the unexpected boost the overhaul has given to physician-owned hospitals and doctors’ concerns that they may receive delayed pay from some patients who get coverage through the exchanges.
Roundup: Long-Term Care Costs Soar In Virginia
A selection of health policy stories from Arizona, Virginia, Nevada, Massachusetts and California.
White House Mental Health Fix For Security Clearance Process Draws Critics’ Questions
Politico reports on the Obama administration’s plan to reword the mental-health question asked of people seeking a security clearance from the federal government.
Does ICU Remote Monitoring Save Lives, Money?
The New York Times covers the issue of centralized remote monitoring of intensive care patients, noting that “no one can say” if tele-ICUs “deliver on their promises.”
Aging Of America Means Not Enough Home-Care Workers
The Wall Street Journal writes about the coming shortage in nursing home and home health care workers, as the number of Americans older than 65 will skyrocket.
FDA Finds Violations At 28 Drug Compounding Pharmacies
The FDA has found safety violations at 28 of 29 compounding pharmacies that are supposed to be producing sterile drugs. In other news, a drug patent on OxyContin expires this week, but generic versions could take a while to produce.
Providers Push For New Payment Systems
Health care providers increasingly are embracing payment systems — based on ideas such as bundled payments, accountable care organizations and medical homes — that reimburse based on treatment as a whole rather than the fee-for-service model.
Medicaid Gamble In Ore. Could Make It National Leader, Or Cost Millions
A Medicaid experiment could make Oregon a leader in controlling costs and improving care in the program — or it could cost the state millions in penalties. How states pay for Medicaid also makes news in North Carolina and Wisconsin.
Nebraska, Florida Contemplate Elements Of Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion
Supporters of Nebraska’s effort to implement the health law’s Medicaid expansion have signaled their willingness to include certain cost safeguards to advance the plan. Meanwhile, a new report finds savings for Florida taxpayers could result from a health law provision regarding federal funding for the “medically needy” and the expansion.
Sebelius Assures Lawmakers That Insurance Marketplaces Will Open Oct. 1
In a Friday appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius offered assurances about the readiness of 33 federally run health insurance marketplaces and answered questions about health care “navigators.”
Supreme Court To Decide Crucial Case On Patenting Human Genes
The high court will hear a challenge to Myriad Genetics’ patent of breast and ovarian cancer genes in a case that will affect the future of biomedical research, the fight against diseases like breast and ovarian cancer and a multi-billion dollar biotechnology business.
Viewpoints: Editorial Boards Offer Advice To Supreme Court On Gene Patents
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Abortion-Rights Supporters Worry New Rules Could Shutter Va. Clinics
Newly passed regulations adopted Friday in Virginia will require many abortion clinics there to undergo costly renovations, a move that opponents say is aimed at forcing the clinics closed.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Medicare provisions in the budget plan released last week by President Barack Obama as well as previews of the Supreme Court’s consideration of arguments regarding whether human genes can be patented.
Virginia’s New Strict Abortion Building Codes Part Of A National Trend
On Friday, the Va. Board of Health voted to require abortion clinics have the same building standards as hospitals.
HHS Secretary Sebelius answered congressional questions Friday about the president’s budget, including proposed changes in Medicare premiums and the state of health law implementation.
In The Wake Of Obama’s Budget, Signs Of Optimism And Discontent
Even as House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., expressed cautious optimism about some aspects of President Barack Obama’s budget plan, others, like Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., took a harder line against it. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will take to Capitol Hill to defend her agency’s budget request.
Health Exchange Cost Estimates Go Up
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues about the premium price tags consumers will pay if they purchase health insurance from these online marketplaces. Also, debate heats up about how the Obama administration hopes to offset the set-up costs.
Crash Inspection Program Finds Problems At Some Compounding Pharmacies
The New York Times reports on what these federal regulators found.
