Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including several articles examining the difficulties of implementing the health law.
Viewpoints: Time To Focus On Prices; Entitlement Programs And Generational Warfare
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
Report Finds Most Restaurant Children’s Meals Are Still Unhealthy
Many menu items don’t meet the restaurant association’s own standards for healthful children’s meals, the New York Times reports. In other public health news, a government study finds no link between vaccines and autism.
Doctors Renew Lobbying To Change Medicare Payment Formula
The American Medical Association is pushing hard to get Congress to make a permanent “doc fix,” The Hill reports.
Health Industry Faces Shortage Of IT Professionals
In addition, a regulation permitting hospitals to donate medical records software to doctors is scheduled to expire.
Potential Pact On Medicare Changes Could Lead To Budget Deal
The New York Times reports that a possible agreement between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans on “broad systemic changes to Medicare” could help spur a budget deal. And The Wall Street Journal reports the White House is weighing inclusion of some entitlement changes in its 2014 budget proposal as a way to prod further talks.
Study Predicts 30% Premium Increase For Some Californians Who Buy Their Own Insurance
The increases, prompted by the federal health law, will be offset for many people by new federal tax subsidies, the report suggests.
Study Highlights Cost Savings Of Generic Drugs
Consumer Reports offers new analysis that finds not all patients realize they can save big by shopping around for drugs. Meanwhile, two outlets look at insurance coverage issues for couples.
Hospitals Often Don’t Tell Patients About Assistance Programs To Help Pay Bills
ABC reports that although nonprofit hospitals are obligated to give back to the community, they often don’t ease the strain for patients with financial difficulties. And in other news, The New York Times looks at efforts to cut emergency room care costs.
The latest developments in health policy from California, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.
Oklahoma Dentist Called ‘Menace To The Public Health’
Dr. W. Scott Harrington faces an April 19 hearing over unsanitary conditions that may have exposed patients to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection. Health inspectors went to his practice after a patient with no known risk factors tested positive for both hepatitis C and the virus that causes AIDS.
Senators Urge HHS To Step Up Efforts To Curb Medicare Overpayments
The lawmakers pointed to a report showing a $70 million loss caused by overpayments on medical equipment, The Hill reports.
Oregon Offers Guide To States Eyeing Potential Of Putting Medicaid Enrollees In Private Insurance
In the last days of Georgia’s General Assembly, lawmakers eliminate cuts in Medicaid payments to providers, while the state’s Medicaid agency gives initial approval to a hospital fee. In Kansas, possible reductions in KanCare services draw advocates’ concern, and California’s Medi-Cal interpreters are pushed to unionize.
Research Roundup: Hospitals Will Benefit From Medicaid Expansion; Medicare’s Rising Costs
This week’s studies come from The Urban Institute, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Heritage Foundation, the Center for Studying Health System Change, The Kaiser Family Foundation and other news outlets.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of renewed interest between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans to find ways to cut Medicare costs.
How Much Will The Health Law Cost? Depends On Whom You Ask
Some restaurant chains now say the health law may not cost them so much after all — mostly because many employees either won’t qualify for coverage or may decline it. Meanwhile, analysis continues of a Society of Actuaries projection of big increases in medical claims costs for insurers in the individual market. And the Associated Press examines President Barack Obama’s promises regarding health care.
Tenn. Governor Refuses To Expand Medicaid
Gov. Bill Haslam said he wants to expand health insurance coverage for low-income residents, but “on his own terms” by enrolling large numbers in private insurance plans. Media outlets also track developments in Texas, Arizona and Virginia, where pollsters find opinion about the expansion divided along party, gender and racial lines.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
Physicians React To New N.D. Abortion Laws
Meanwhile, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant nominates anti-abortion activist to state board.
Another Date Night On Tap For Obama, GOP Senators
With budget issues — including changes to Medicare and Medicaid — still very much in play, President Barack Obama is planning another outing with Republican lawmakers in an effort to build relationships and smooth the path for possible negotiations this summer.
