Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Global Obesity, Health Care Cost Transparency, A Medical Puzzle
This week’s articles come from The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The Washington Post and Health Affairs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details regarding how Medicare and Medicaid, as well as funding for the health law’s implementation, fared in President Barack Obama’s budget plan.
Obama’s $3.7T Spending Plan Would Cut $370B From Medicare
Despite the White House’s effort to find middle ground, news outlets report that its proposal to raise $580B by limiting tax benefits for top earners is angering some Republicans, while cuts to entitlement programs are angering some Democrats.
Tavenner Moves Closer To Senate Confirmation To Head CMS
Marilyn Tavenner, who has been the acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services since 2011, received a warm reception from Democrats and Republicans alike during a Tuesday Senate Finance Committee hearing.
Kansas Joins Other States As Lawmakers Approve Bold New Abortion Restrictions
Analysis follows Kansas lawmakers’ decision to place bold new restrictions on abortion, including defining life as beginning at conception. Gov. Sam Brownback is expected to sign the bill. Also, Alaska lawmakers also pass their own bill further restricting abortion.
House Panel Plans Review Of Federal Employee Health Plan
The Hill reports that a House Oversight subcommittee will likely debate possible changes to federal employee health benefits — just two months after a pay freeze was put in place. Also in the news, Politico reports on how the mental health agenda has lost some momentum.
HHS Announces $54M For ‘Navigators’ To Help Consumers Use Insurance Exchanges
The $54 million to hire and train people to help the uninsured sign up for coverage will be distributed to groups in 33 states based on their number of uninsured. Texas and Florida, for instance, with almost nine million uninsured, will get $14 million.
The Truth About The 2 Percent Medicare Sequestration Cuts
News outlets examine what can be done about cuts to Medicare payments to cancer clinics, among others. And the IPAB deadline is three weeks away.
Controlling ER, Hospitals Admissions A Challenge For Medicare
A new study finds that Medicare isn’t properly counting people who are released from hospitals and then come back to emergency rooms, while Reuters points out pay-for-performance incentives are aimed at keeping people out of ERs.
Nev. Jury Orders HMO To Pay $500M In Punitive Damages After Hep C Outbreak
In the meantime, a Texas insurer is accused of overcharging Virginia Tech students for health coverage and reaping more than $9 million in “overstated” claims.
State-Level Debate About Medicaid Expansion Heats Up
Medicaid expansion news from Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio and Florida.
Consumer Groups Warn That Patients Could Face Large Out-Of-Pocket Costs
The Obama administration has opted to delay for some plans a health law provision that caps consumers’ out-of-pocket exposure.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Minn. Democrats Push Pay Hike For Nursing Home Workers
A selection of health policy stories from Minnesota, Colorado, New York, Delaware, Georgia, Oregon, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Massachusetts and California.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more details and analysis regarding President Barack Obama’s budget plan and how it handles Medicare and other entitlement programs.
Medicare Effort To Cut Readmissions Isn’t Counting Patients Who Come Back To ER
Study suggests that Medicare isn’t counting many discharged patients who come back to the emergency room but aren’t admitted.
Obama Budget Likely To Reignite Talk Of Cost-Cutting Options
News outlets examine how the budget blueprint could address Medicare payments and also include other trims to the program.
Sebelius: ‘Relentless’ Politics Complicates Health Law’s Implementation
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she underestimated how long politics would dog the health law. Meanwhile, a regional official of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services tells The Washington Post what’s happening in the field.
Moody’s: Sequestration Increases Pressure On Non-Profit Hospitals
Also in the news, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has begun auditing some of the physicians who qualify for a Medicare EHR “meaningful use” bonus before they even receive a check — a step that has triggered grumbling from organized medicine.
