Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Roundup: N.Y. Psychiatrists Sue Insurer Over Parity
News outlets cover health care developments in California, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Missouri and New York.
Viewpoints: ‘Grim’ Backlog At VA; Feds Should Stay Away From Reforming Medical Malpractice
A selection of health policy opinions and editorials.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about this week’s roll out of budgets on Capitol Hill and how the Democratic and Republican fiscal blueprints will underscore key partisan differences.
Dueling Budgets Will Show Partisan Differences On Medicare And Medicaid
At the same time, President Barack Obama appears to be harboring hopes of reaching a big deficit-reduction deal that could include some of the money-saving changes that Republicans favor. The idea worries some congressional Democrats.
With Budget, GOP Lawmakers Renew Push To Undo Health Law
The budget plan for 2014 being advanced by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., includes a proposal to give states more authority over Medicaid. Meanwhile, the bill being considered by the Senate to fund the federal government through the end of this year does not include the funds for the exchanges that the administration wanted.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Patients Challenge Hospital Fees
The Boston Globe reports on this trend. In other news, CQ HealthBeat reports that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission gave a nod to shared-decision making between doctors and patients.
Some Republican Health Staffers Flee The Hill
Politico reports that some GOP health care staffers have left Capitol Hill to take lobbying jobs that offer more money, fewer hours and less frustration. In other Congressional news, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is pushing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to scale back proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage.
Medicaid Expansion Triggers Flurry Of State Legislature Debates, Decisions
The Washington Post reports that Arkansas has discovered “wiggle room” regarding the expansion. Meanwhile, debates in state legislatures continue over what should happen in Arizona, Utah, California and Texas. And, in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Corbett plans a meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
State Roundup: Sequestration’s Impacts Include Less Grant Dollars
A selection of state health policy stories from Texas, Missouri, Connecticut and North Carolina.
States Consider ‘Dental Therapists’ To Address Shortage Concerns
Dentists are voicing their concerns over patient care as more states consider licensing “dental therapists” to help alleviate a dental care shortage — and so far only two states are using them.
State Health Law Implementation Efforts Trigger Confusion — And Even Arguments
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that businesses continue to find some provisions of the law “bewildering” while the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel offers a view on the size and scope of issues in play in Wisconsin. The Hill reports that the health insurance provider fee is also causing angst.
State Progress Report On Health Exchanges: More May Be Happening Than Expected
Politico reports some states that have been reticent or even opposed to setting up their own exchanges, like Ohio and Virginia, may be more hands-on than expected. Various reports from the Associated Press and MinnPost chart action in other states.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the budget blueprints expected on Capitol Hill this week.
Rep. Ryan Says Budget Plan Will Assume Repeal Of Health Law
In an interview on Fox, the House Budget chairman doesn’t make clear if the plan he will announce this week will call for a total repeal of the 2010 law but he says Republicans are still keen to get rid of the health overhaul.
Obama Continues Efforts To Woo Republicans
In what one news outlet described as a “charm offensive,” President Barack Obama is seeking common ground with rank-and-file Republicans for a deficit reduction deal that would overhaul the tax code and slow the growth of Medicare and other entitlement programs.
Insurers See Opportunities In Medicaid Expansion While States Mull Pros And Cons
Business analysts view the expansion as “several hundreds of billions of dollars” worth of opportunity for Medicaid health plans. Meanwhile, news organizations track the continuing debate in Kentucky, Florida, New Hampshire and Texas about whether to participate in the expansion.
Survey: Large Employers Pushing Health Providers For More Price Transparency
The survey, conducted by Towers Watson and the National Business Group on Health, also found that most large companies plan to keep continue offering employees an insurance benefit in the next five years.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Operating Rooms, Hospitals Face Challenges In Eliminating Risks, Delivering High Quality Of Care
USA Today reports that many hospitals have not adopted technologies that would help elminate the risk of leaving sponges in patients during surgery. Meanwhile, the Associated Press offers a list to help patients avoid problems in the hospital.
