Latest KFF Health News Stories
Wider Use Among Young Women Drives Higher Use Of ‘Morning-After’ Pill
Growth in use among 20-somethings has doubled the use of the “morning-after” contraceptive pill in recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
House GOP Chairman Seeks Permanent Solution To Medicare Doc Pay Problem
Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, told physicians this week that he hopes to send “doc fix” legislation to the House floor this summer. Meanwhile, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., plans hearings for President Barack Obama’s pick to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Treasury Pick Says He Will Work To Reduce Medicare Spending, But Offers Few Specifics
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama’s references in his State of the Union address to modest changes to Medicare continue to generate examination.
State Officials Worry That Docs May Not Accept New Wave Of Medicaid Patients
More than 7 million people are expected to gain insurance through Medicaid under the federal health law next year. In other news about implementation of the health overhaul, the trade group representing Catholic hospitals reserves judgment for now on the latest administration policy requiring contraception coverage.
States Roundup: N.Y. Budget Woes Include Medicaid Money Worry
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Georgia, Kansas, California, Iowa, Colorado, Oregon and North Carolina.
Weekend Reading: What Your Doctor Should Tell You, New Stages of Grief
This week’s articles come from The Atlantic, Mother Jones and Slate and The New York Times,
As Part Of ‘Expansive’ Agenda, Obama Offers Support For ‘Modest’ Medicare Reforms
In last night’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama offered his take on how the U.S. budget could achieve “fiscal stability” through a mix of Medicare cuts and tax increases; however, he provided few details of what changes to Medicare he found acceptable.
Rubio’ Repeats GOP Calls For Overhauling Medicare, Other Entitlement Programs
During his televised speech responding to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also criticized the health law.
Study: No Link Between Hospital Readmissions And Saving Patient Lives
A Journal of the American Medical Association study released Tuesday has found that higher hospital readmissions don’t lead to fewer patient deaths.
College Health Plans Beginning To Accomodate Transgender Students
The New York Times reports on how student health coverage is changing.
WellPoint Names Hospital Industry Veteran As New Chief Executive
The insurer announced yesterday that Joseph R. Swedish, the chief executive of Trinity Health, will replace Angela Braly at the company’s helm.
Will More Availability Of Some Medicare Therapies Spark A Budget Crisis?
The Associated Press also examines Medicare records to find that monitoring some kidney cancer patients instead of operating could improve their chances to live.
State Policies, Positions On Medicaid Expansion Continue To Take Shape
Some state health exchange plans also appear to be moving forward as specifics emerge.
Viewpoints: Obama Prescription For Medicare Is ‘Modest;’ GOP Doubts Entitlement Plan Is Serious
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Ore. Considers Rural Doc Loan Repayment
A selection of health policy news from Oregon, Maryland and California.
Implementation Issues Trigger Action, Analysis
News outlets examine health law issues ranging from how states are planning to market the health plans that will become available this fall to whether accountable care organizations will help control health care costs.
First Edition: February 13, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on how Medicare played into the President’s State Of The Union address.
Obama Opposes Raising Medicare’s Eligibility Age To Reduce Spending
According to White House spokesman Jay Carney, the president does not believe this is the right policy to take, although he is open to discussing other entitlement program changes.
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.
