Latest KFF Health News Stories
Setting The Scene: Economy, Sequestration At Heart Of Obama’s Address
His State Of The Union comments will likely highlight the different partisan views on how these automatic spending cuts, set to kick in March 1, could be minimized. Republicans continue to press for changes in entitlement programs, such as Medicare.
State Medicaid Drug Selection Panels’ Conflict-Of-Interest Policies Vary Widely
State policies for ensuring that drug selection in their Medicaid programs is free from conflicts of interest and other outside influence vary widely, a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found.
State Roundup: Ga. Officials End Medicaid Electronic Eligibility System Talks
A selection of health policy news from Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota and California.
VA Adding Mental Health Staff – Including Doctors, Nurses And Counselors
The Associated Press reports that the Veterans Affairs Department will add more than 1,000 mental health professionals in the next months to help meet the needs of returning veterans.
H&R Block Says Tax Time Is Opportunity For Health Insurance Planning
The tax preparer is offering customers advice and estimates about what their insurance costs might be once changes kick in in 2014.
Hospitals Reluctant To Provide Estimates Of Hip Replacement Costs, Study Finds
Researchers called 20 top orthopedic hospitals and two hospitals from every state and DC. Of the orthopedic centers, nine provided an estimate of hospital costs and doctor fees. Only 10 of the other 102 hospitals offered that information.
Government Recovers Billions In Health Fraud Crackdown
The Obama administration announced Monday that it recovered a record $4.2 billion last year from medical providers who cheated Medicare and other government health programs.
Final Word On Essential Health Benefits Expected Soon
CQ Healthbeat reports the Office of Management and Budget is reviewing several health law implementation rules including this one, which will determine the types of coverage available to consumers. Meanwhile, a study examines how the health law’s caps on out-of-pocket costs will affect consumers next year.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: February 12, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including an advance report about tonight’s State Of The Union Address, as well as stories about President Barack Obama’s position on raising Medicare’s eligibility age and on the government’s anti-health care fraud efforts.
The Wall Street Journal reports on this trend. Meanwhile, other news outlets examine state-specific developments regarding the debates over expanding the health program for low-income people.
Feds Encourage Mississippi To Pursue Health Exchange Partnership
Also, cost issues spark disagreement in Minnesota as the state Senate continues to weigh action related to these health insurance marketplaces.
Roadblocks Continue Despite Efforts To Address Causes of Hospital Readmissions
News outlets also report on how Medicare’s efforts to curb readmissions have led to innovations.
White House Details Impact Of March 1 Sequester On Health Programs
As these scheduled budget cuts get closer, a poll by the Pew Research Center concluded that young voters are supportive of Medicare and Social Security and hope to see these programs overhauled so they live on into the future.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Calif. Doc Supply Strains Under Health Law
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, California, New York, Minnesota and Maryland.
As Feds Encourage Health IT, Analysts Forecast Big Increase In Telehealth
Politico and The Hill covered various aspects of electronic health records and health care.
GOP Lawmakers Focus On Tavenner Nomination, Doc Fix, Medicaid Costs
News outlets covered a variety of Medicare and Medicaid news, including prospects for Marilyn Tavenner to be confirmed as head of CMS.
First Edition: February 11, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including developments related to Medicare and hospital readmissions.
A roundup of health policy news from across the nation, including Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Georgia, Connecticut, Colorado, California, Louisiana and New Mexico.
