Latest KFF Health News Stories
Contraception Coverage Mandate Could Drive Health Law Back To Supreme Court
A number of challenges to the birth control coverage requirement are making their way through the lower courts. Meanwhile, a U.S. district judge issued a ruling that the property mangement firm owned by the founder of Domino’s Pizza will not have to immediately comply with this health law provision.
Congressional Accord Preserves Medicare Doctor Pay
The deal averts for one year a 26.5 percent cut in payments to doctors who treat Medicare patients. It also repeals the long-term care provision of the 2010 health overhaul.
Texas Judge Refuses To Stop Defunding Of Planned Parenthood Ahead Of Trial
A state district court ruled Monday that Texas’ Women’s Health Program can go forward without Planned Parenthood until a Jan. 11 trial is held in which the organization is challenging the state’s rule excluding it from the new health care program for women.
Minn. Health System Merger Complete, Largest In Twin Cities In Decade
A merger of two health systems in Minnesota completed Tuesday creates a health care organization in the Twin Cities with 20,000 employees and 1,500 doctors.
2013 Brings Health Law Deadlines, Challenges To States
News coverage of how states are planning for the health law include details of state health insurance exchanges.
House Follows Senate And Passes Bill To Avert ‘Fiscal Cliff’
The measure, which awaits the president’s signature, puts off large cuts in federal spending and increases taxes. But it delays efforts to revamp entitlement programs.
Roundup: Medicaid Waiver Challenges In Texas; Detailing Sandy’s Impact On NYC’s Mental Care
A selection of state health policy stories from Texas, Alaska, New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Massachusetts.
Viewpoints: Republicans Reject Their Own Market-Based Ideas; Analyzing Entitlement Spending
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
First Edition: January 2, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a number of reports about congressional efforts to avert the “fiscal cliff.”
Senate Approves ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Deal With ‘Doc Fix’; GOP House Members Skeptical
The accord includes a measure to keep Medicare pay at current levels for doctors, in addition to a variety of tax measures and a temporary delay in scheduled federal spending cuts. It puts off GOP efforts to trim entitlement spending.
McConnell, Biden Continue Efforts To Avert ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Crisis
After several major delays Sunday, senators and the White House keep talking about a deal on tax rates that would also include a fix to stop cuts in Medicare payments to doctors. But they face tight deadline.
Medicare, Other Entitlements Hanging In Balance As Fiscal Cliff Talks Hit Wall
Negotiations are expected to resume after Christmas, but various news stories point out that neither side seems to be in the mood to move – much.
Medicare Rolls Out Quality Bonuses And Penalties
Under a new program created by the health law, hospitals can get larger payments — or payment cuts — based on the quality of care they provide.
Republicans Press Obama Administration For Information On Exchange Contractors
GOP members of the Senate Finance Committee say they want more information from the Department of Health and Human Services, even as House and Senate GOP lawmakers pressed for details about the contractors who will set up insurance markets in states that don’t do it themselves.
Boehner Fails To Rally GOP, Pulls His Tax Plan Back
The House speaker was under pressure from conservatives who wanted bigger cuts in entitlement spending.
Shifting Health Care Landscape Changes How Doctors Practice, And For Whom
News from the health care marketplace includes changes in how doctors practice — they are increasingly seeing patients via webcam and working for insurers in insurer-run doctor offices.
Taxing Health Coverage Would Lead Some To Drop It, Survey Finds
Proposals to tax health benefits, sometimes touted as a way to help reduce the deficit, could have unintended consequences, according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
Roundup: Calif. Hospitals Fined Over Serious Errors; Mass. Pharmacy Waiting Period Continues
A selection of health policy stories from California, Massachusetts, Idaho, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Georgia.
‘Doc Fix’ Unlikely Without Fiscal Deal
Lawmakers have assumed that whatever deal is negotiated by President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner would include a patch to avoid the 26.5 percent cut to physicians who treat Medicare patients, which takes effect next month. Without a deal, however, providers face a double whammy, since they would also see a 2 percent pay cut under sequestration.
Feds OK Health Insurance Exchange Plans For Three More States
The Obama administration gave conditional approvals to Delaware, Minnesota and Rhode Island, saying they will be ready to open new insurance markets in 2014, as required under the health care law. Meanwhile, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper indicates he’s likely to push for a Medicaid expansion.
