Latest KFF Health News Stories
Considering Mental Health Care Changes In Aftermath Of Shootings
Missouri and Wisconsin officials suggest moves to expand state mental health services while a Georgia Senate panel approves changes in procedures for involuntary commitments to psychiatric care.
State Roundup: Insurance Rates To Rise 2.7% In Mass.
A selection of health policy stories from Connecticut, Massaschusetts, California, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa and Colorado.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Parity Delays, Payment Snafus, Frustrate Mental Health Providers
News outlets anticipate the release of rules regarding the types of mental health care insurers must provide under the federal health care law, as well as the payment fallout from new treatment codes.
Bipartisan Duo Introduces Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ Bill In House
The effort, by Reps. Schwartz and Heck, would change the system known as the sustainable growth rate for Medicare physician payments.
Weekend Reading: A Doctor Faces Hard Questions
Every week Ankita Rao selects interesting reading from around the Web.
Advocates Warn About The Impact Of Automatic Cuts On Medical Research
Supporters of the National Institutes of Health argue that an anticipated $1.6 billion cut would undermine cancer, heart and AIDS research, while adding to economic and unemployment woes.
First Edition: February 7, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report that Michigan’s Republican Gov. Rick Snyder backs the health law’s Medicaid expansion for his state.
CBO Predicts Bright Short Term, But Unsustainable Health Costs As More Baby Boomers Retire
The Congressional Budget Office’s report ups the ante in budget battles between the Obama administration and GOP lawmakers, who are staking out positions on the March 1 sequestration, as well as on trims to Medicare and other entitlement programs.
Budget Report: More Employers Than Previously Estimated Will Drop Health Coverage
About 7 million people, nearly double the earlier estimates, will no longer get health insurance from their employers because of changes to the tax code made by the health law, according to CBo projections.
Insurers Prepare For 2014 When Major Health Law Provisions Kick In
And Medpage Today reports on how the changing marketplace will impact young healthy workers, who could face higher premiums, and those working part-time who may be newly eligible for workplace coverage.
Medicaid Expansion, Health Exchanges Tempt Some GOP Governors
Politico reports that certain Republican governors are going forward with the implementation of these health law provisions without facing a backlash within their states.
In a speech, the House majority leader criticized the health law but focused his attention on the overhaul’s taxes. Meanwhile, the Senate measure would prohibit companies that make brand-name drugs from paying generic manufacturers to keep their products off the market.
Plans Scaled Back For Vets’ Computerized Health Records System
Reuters reports that the system’s cost is a key reason.
Study: Hospice Use On The Rise, But After Late-Stage Aggressive Care
A study released Tuesday found that, although the number of elderly people who died in a hospice setting is increasing, it usually came late in the process and after highly aggressive care near the end of life.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Mass. Finds More Problems At Compounding Pharmacies
A selection of health policy news from California, Massachusetts, Kansas, Minnesota, Connecticut and Colorado.
First Edition: February 6, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the political and policy-oriented repercussions of yesterday’s Congressional Budget Office fiscal forecast.
Fifth GOP Governor Backs Medicaid Expansion
Ohio Gov. John Kasich announced Monday that he will push to expand Medicaid to cover more low-income Ohioans, as Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius pledged to fund such expansions longterm. Meanwhile, lawmakers and health providers in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, California, Texas and Wisconsin continue to debate the expansion, which was made optional by the Supreme Court.
Insurance Exchange ‘Navigators,’ New Payment Models Claim Roles In Health Law Implementation
The Washington Post reports on the challenges involved in fielding a team of health exchange navigators to help people work through their choices and the process. Meanwhile, MedPage Today reports on comments made by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius regarding the “obligation” providers have to try new payment models.
