Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Roundup: Calif. Inches To Budget Deal; Iowa’s Medicaid Abortions May Need Gov. OK
A selection of health policy stories from Colorado, Virginia, California, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Florida and Kansas.
Sequester’s Budget Cuts Slowing Alzheimer’s, Other Research
Media outlets analyze how budget cuts are undermining certain types of health research and how their bite in terms of non-discretionary spending could be even bigger in 2014. Also, it appears that the urgency surrounding a budget deal has faded.
The ‘Parallel Challenge:’ Coordinating Care For Mental And Physical Health Issues
The Los Angeles Times reports on how the needs of many patients who struggle with both physical and mental illnesses presents a challenge to the health care system in terms of contolling costs and improving the quality of care they receive. Additionally, the Boston Globe reports on a new approach to reduce hosptial readmissions.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about President Barack Obama’s efforts last week to urge uninsured people to sign up for the coverage that will soon become unavailable as a result of the health law.
Obama Touts Early Success For Health Law In California
The president, urging consumers to sign up for coverage, says they are getting more affordable insurance because of the health overhaul.
Obama To Tout California As Health Law Model
President Barack Obama is slated to speak in San Jose, Calif., about the implementation of the health law and point to the coordination among public and private groups there as a model for the rest of the country. Latinos — in California and across the nation — will be one of his target audiences.
Tech Experts Brace For Glitches When Health Exchange Websites Come Online
As planners race to finish building the online marketplaces that consumers can begin using Oct. 1 to shop for health insurance, experts expect some difficulties, according to The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, CQ HealthBeat examines whether the deductibles and out-of-pocket caps applied in these marketplaces will be too high.
Costs And Coverage: Trying To Discern Who Will Experience Health Law Gains Or Feel Its Pinch
The Wall Street Journal reports on how the law might impact small businesses that employ young and healthy workers as well as whether the measure’s new coverage might be too expensive for low-paid employees. Also in the news, a report concludes that U.S. consumers who purchase health insurance on the individual market saved $2.1 billion last year due to the overhaul’s rules.
Debate Over A Dying Child And A Lack Of Transplant Organs
Several columnists explore the difficult questions raised by the case of Sarah Murnaghan, a 10-year-old with cystic fibrosis who needs a lung transplant to survive.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
‘Medical Home’ Experiment Reduced Costs, Improved Care Even More In Second Year
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s experiment with the new health care delivery model improved on its first-year showing, it said.
FDA Panel Loosens Avandia Safety Restrictions
Despite some concern over whether the diabetes drug Avandia can increase heart problems, an FDA panel Thursday loosened restrictions on how doctors can prescribe the drug.
Prominent Republican Leaves Immigration Overhaul Talks Over Immigrant Health Care
Also, CMS announces that it cannot stop sequestration cuts to Medicare’s reimbursement for cancer drugs.
State Highlights: Ore. Schools Face Insurance Exchange Choice
A selection of health policy stories from Wisconsin, Oregon, Arizona, New York, Minnesota and California.
Judge’s Second Ruling On Child Transplants Prompts Ethical, Political Questions
A federal judge issued a second ruling in as many days allowing another dying child onto an adult transplant list — a move that could have ramifications for thousands of adults waiting for donated organs.
Research Roundup: Health Spending On Kids With Special Needs
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, The Kaiser Family Foundation, The Heritage Foundation, JAMA Pediatrics and news sources.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including previews of the speech President Barack Obama is expected to deliver today in California as well as news about particular health law implementation issues.
Poll: Health Law’s Support Sliding
A new Wall Street Journal/NBC survey concludes that more Americans than ever before view the health law as a bad idea. Just as these numbers are rolling out, the White House is launching its own messaging effort to get people to sign up for coverage through the overhaul’s new online insurance exchanges.
State Decisions On Medicaid Expansion Deepen Health Care Divide
The Fiscal Times examines how political dynamics are leading to a red state-blue state divide in the availability of health care coverage. Politico reports on how Ariz. Gov. Jan Brewer, a former foe of Obamacare, is confounding that pattern by battling lawmakers in her own party to expand Medicaid. Media outlets also report on developments in Mississippi and Ohio.
Feds Step Up Medicare Anti-Fraud Efforts
Department of Health and Human Services statistics to be released Thursday show that, in the past two years, the federal government has revoked the ability of 14,663 providers and suppliers to bill Medicare, according to USA Today.
