Latest KFF Health News Stories
Clear Battle Lines Emerge On Budget Issues
After last week’s agreement to avert the “fiscal cliff,” President Barack Obama and congressional GOP leaders are making clear their positions on tax increases and entitlement spending reductions — including those to Medicare.
Study Finds School Debt Keeps Some Young Doctors From Specializing
The research suggests that financial concerns may keep some residents from going into medical specialties that don’t offer high compensation.
Exercise And The Exam Room: Kaiser Permanente, Other Providers Record New Vital Sign
Kaiser Permanente is expanding a program that directs medical providers to ask patients about their exercise habits during checkups — and some other health care providers are following suit.
Groups Urge HHS To Issue Rules On Medical Company-Doc Relationships
Two groups are urging the Department of Health and Human Services to issue regulations called for in the health law that would require drug companies and others to collect and disclose data on their financial relationships with doctors.
Medicaid Expansion, Health Exchanges Continue To Draw Headlines
Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Rick Scott is coming to Washington to meet with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to discuss related health law implementation issues and concerns.
As Pentagon Considers Cuts, Weapons Makers Look To Contracts On Health Issues
Bloomberg examines recent health-care contracts won by Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Mass. Governor Proposes New Compounding Pharmacy Oversights
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is proposing the state exercise stricter control over compounding pharmacies by — in part — establishing new licensing requirements for the labs and letting the state assess fines against them if they break rules.
State Roundup: Mo. Lawmakers Look To Cap Malpractice Awards
A selection of health policy stories from California, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Texas, Illinois and North Carolina.
First Edition: January 7, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about entitlement spending in the context of the debt debate, as well as reports regarding the health insurance industry.
McConnell, Others Demanding Spending Cuts – Including Medicare
News outlets, especially the Sunday talk shows, highlighted the ongoing partisan battles on entitlement cuts, including Medicare.
HHS Gives 7 States The Go-Ahead To Create Health Exchanges
So far, the Obama administration has approved the health exchange blueprints submitted by 17 states and the District of Columbia. And, the most recent set includes both red states, including Utah, and blue states.
Colorado Will Expand Medicaid, Claims Cost Savings Are In Progress
The state plans to expand its Medicaid program as much as the federal health law envisions — without spending any extra money to make it happen.
State Highlights: Texas Begins New Women’s Health Program
News outlets offer health articles in California, Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey and Wisconsin.
California Nurses Association, National Union of Healthcare Workers Join Forces
The move could change the scope of labor battles statewide and renew a rivalry between the nurses organization and the Service Employees International Union, according to media reports.
States Confront Myriad Of Health Law Implementation Issues
States face fallout from decisions on whether to implement key parts of the health law, including exchanges in California and Washington — where dental insurance will be mandated in plans offered in the marketplaces — and Florida, which missed out on co-ops and faces a decision on expanding Medicaid in 2013.
New Congress Brings Changes In Leadership, Expertise
Politico offers insights regarding the leadership style and health law attitude of Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., who will chair the House Labor, HHS appropriations subcommittee. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that two physicians were sworn in yesterday — doubling the number of doctors in the Democratic caucus.
Viewpoints: ‘Class War’ Over Medicare Funding; GOP Needs Courage To Cut Entitlements In Debt Fight
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Health Care And The Shakeout From The Fiscal Cliff
News outlets parse the particulars of how the fiscal deal will impact the health care system, and how the health industry is bracing for the next rounds in the budget battles.
Research Roundup: Gearing Children’s Hospitals For Future Patients
This week’s studies come from JAMA Pediatrics, JAMA Internal Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine, PLOS One and other news sources.
