Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS To States: Partial Medicaid Expansion Won’t Get Full Federal Funding
On Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services said it was all or nothing on the health care law’s expansion of Medicaid eligibility, disappointing some Republican governors who were considering smaller growth in the state-federal program for the poor and elderly.
Six States Get An Early Greenlight From HHS On Health Exchanges
The Obama administration also gave conditional approval on Monday to six states — all led by Democratic governors — that were the first to meet the health law’s rules for setting up health insurance marketplaces.
Medicaid Contractors, Government Employees Doing The Same Work, GAO Says
In the meantime, Medicare data could be better used to stop fraud, the Government Accountability Office says in a separate report.
In ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Talks, Medicare And Medicaid Savings Ideas Draw Scrutiny
The Wall Street Journal asks when cuts to these programs will start affecting beneficiaries and causing access issues. Other savings ideas floated face a burden of proof. Also, The Hill reports that the White House is cooling to the idea of $100 billion in Medicaid cuts floated earlier this year. In the background, news outlets offer reports about progress or lack thereof in averting the looming cliff.
Employers Complain About Health Law’s Costly ‘Sleeper Fee’
The Associated Press reports on a $63-per-person charge, which will be levied for three years beginning in 2014 to “cushion” the cost of covering people with pre-existing conditions and to stabilize the insurance market. Large employers say it works out to tens of millions in added costs which are likely to be passed onto workers.
Examining Americans’ Health: Longer, But Sicker, Lives; Childhood Obesity Drops
A new report finds Americans may be living longer thanks to medical advances, but they may also be sicker. Meanwhile, childhood obesity may be dropping in several cities around the nation.
Low-Cost Concierge Care, Social Media Among Changes In Practice Of Medicine
News outlets examine trends such as doctors’ use of social media to explore medical information and the growth of relatively low-cost concierge medicine, where patients may pay $50 a month for unlimited doctors’ visits and calls.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on a variety of state health news developments.
First Edition: December 11, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of yesterday’s HHS announcement to states that the federal government will not fund partial Medicaid expansions.
As Clock Ticks Toward Fiscal Deadline, Obama, Boehner Meet At The White House
Action this week is critical if a deal is to be reached this year, The Washington Post reports. Most analysts appear to agree that the contours of such an agreement are clear, but the specifics — which include raising taxes as well as spending reductions for Medicare and Medicaid — remain challenging and politically divisive.
New Taxes, Medicaid Expansion Requests and Health Insurance Portability Make Health Law News
News outlets examine a host of health law issues including new taxes on the rich — set to soon take effect — meant to pay for parts of the health law, governors’ latest requests on expanding Medicaid, health insurance portability for older workers and dealing with chronic care.
Ex-Con Gets Arrested On Purpose In Order To Get Health Care
The Associated Press reports on the story of a 56-year-old ex convict who, after serving 20 years on drug charges, sought to get arrested so that he could get prison health care to treat his leukemia.
Communication And Checklists May Lead To Fewer Surgical Complications
An article published in the December issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgery found decreases in some postoperative complications when surgical teams were trained in communication and to use a procedure check list.
Many Docs Apply For ‘Meaningful Use’ Electronic Health Record Payments, But Few Will Pass Muster
Though two-thirds of doctors who practice in an office have applied for “meaningful use” incentives for using electronic health records, only 27 percent would like meet the requirements for incentive payments, a new report has found.
SCOTUS Agrees To Hear ‘Pay-For-Delay’ Drug Case
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the legality of drug companies paying their generic-making counterparts to keep generic drugs — in this case, a testosterone gel — off the market.
GAO Takes Hard Look At Anti-Fraud Effort Inefficiencies In Medicare, Medicaid
Politico Pro notes that the Government Accountability Office insights come as fiscal cliff negotiators are examining both of these programs in an effort to find savings.
Medical Device Tax Repeal Advocates Feel Momentum
Also in news from Capitol Hill, lawmakers from the House Energy and Commerce Committee grill compounding pharmacies’ trade group representatives about various issues related to the New Englang Compounding Center, which was at the center of a fungal meningitis outbreak.
A roundup of health policy news from Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Florida and Massachusetts.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
