Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obama To Announce Initiative To Map Human Brain
The New York Times reports that President Barack Obama will unveil a broad new research initiative Tuesday, starting with $100 million next year, to find ways to record and map human brain circuits.
Senate Races: Health Law Divides Candidates in Mass., Ga.
In the Massachusetts special election for former Sen. John Kerry’s seat, only one candidate is campaigning as a supporter of the 2010 health law. In Georgia, three physicians are among those contemplating a run for retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ seat.
Vermont First In Parade Of States To Publish Premium Costs
The state is the first to publish proposed 2014 individual health insurance rates under the federal health law.
Roundup: Feds Cut N.Y. Medicaid Payments $1.2B; 93,000 Fewer Kids Enroll In CHIP In Pa.
A selection of health policy news from New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia, Minnesota, Kansas, Connecticut, Maryland, Oregon and California.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
Indiana House Panel Approves Medicaid Expansion Option
The legislation would use the state’s Healthy Indiana Plan to add coverage for 400,000 low-income residents.
Medicare Boosts Rather Than Cuts Payments To Advantage Plans
The insurance industry won a major lobbying victory Monday after the Obama administration backtracked on an earlier plan to cut Medicare Advantage payments to insurers by 2.2 percent in 2014 and instead decided to give them a 3.3 percent increase.
North Dakota Abortion Clinic Pledges To Fight New State Law
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Washington state, Kansas and Oregon debate proposals to strengthen or weaken abortion rights.
Administration Delays Health Law Provision For Small Businesses
The Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP, would have provided a variety of insurance options for small firms. When the law takes effect next year in states with federally run exchanges, these businesses will be able to offer workers a single plan instead.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news that the administration is delaying a health law provision aimed at small business and also opting to increase payments to Medicare Advantage programs.
States Boost Laws, Regulations Governing Abortion
States have passed a record number of abortion bills since 2011, including curbs on clinics and chemically induced abortions, and in North Dakota, a ban on abortions as early as six weeks. On the other side, New York and Washington are weighing measures to ensure abortion rights.
Roundup: D.C. Sued Over Medicaid Reimbursement; Vt. To Post Health Care Rates
A selection of health policy news from the District of Columbia, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Oregon, Minnesota, Oklahoma and California.
Louisiana Health Secretary Submits Resignation
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s health secretary — Bruce Greenstein — is resigning amid a probe into a Medicaid contract he awarded to a former employer.
Years After Law, Kennedy Continues Mental Health Coverage Parity Battle
A mental health parity law passed in 2008, yet one of the measure’s key backers — former Congressman Patrick Kennedy — continues the fight for equal coverage of mental illness. He is meeting mixed success.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
As Hyperactivity Diagnoses Rise, Concerns Grow About Overmedication Of Children
New CDC data shows that nearly one in five boys have a medical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Other public health issues highlighted by news outlets include stroke risks in younger people, prescription-drug deaths and OSHA policies.
Concerns Raised About Effect Of Medicare’s Readmission Penalty
The New York Times explores the new policy that penalizes hospitals if they have too many patients return within 30 days. Meanwhile, in Maryland, officials are weighing an ambitious plan to control hospital costs.
Supporters Of Medicaid Expansion Fight To Be Heard In Some Statehouses
Mississippi House Democrats blocked passage of the state’s Medicaid budget Sunday to force a vote on expanding the program, while supporters and critics do battle in Missouri, Montana and Arkansas.
GOP Opposition To Health Law Hurts Efforts To Court Hispanics
The Los Angeles Times reports that Latinos, who have the lowest rates of health coverage in the country, are among the strongest supporters of the health law. Meanwhile, AP examines the hard opposition to the overhaul in the South, led by Republican governors representing some of the poorest and least healthy states.
Federal Officials Look To Mass Marketing To Sell Health Law
The administration faces a tough challenge to get the public to understand and accept the health law — and then, to sign up the millions without coverage.
