Latest KFF Health News Stories
Detailing Medicare’s 2013 Doc Pay Schedules: Home Health Flat, Primary Care Up
News outlets also look at one health plan’s efforts to improve its Medicare rating and some of the unexpected beneficiaries of Medicare.
Outcomes Of State Legislature Races To Play Big Role In Health Law’s Future
Although the race for the top of the ticket claims the biggest headlines, news outlets report that the winners of governor and state legislative races will have a major effect on the health law’s implementation.
Both Candidates Use Abortion Issue To Turn Out Their Base
NPR takes a long look at how both candidates have put abortion “front and center,” while the Los Angeles Times describes how the issue is galvanizing Catholic and evangelical Protestant voters in the swing state of Ohio. And then there are the robo-calls.
IOM Offers Assessment Framework For Community-Based Wellness Efforts
Modern Healthcare reports that the Institute of Medicine released a new report to help communities assess the value of their health promotion and disease prevention programs.
Petition Asks For Expanded Health Benefits For Superstorm Sandy First Responders
Additionally, Superstorm Sandy is still affecting the health care of the medically vulnerable in New York and New Jersey.
State Roundup: Examining Health Issues On State Ballots
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Texas, Oregon, California, Colorado and Kansas.
First Edition: November 5, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the final round of polls, forecasts regarding which party will control the House and Senate and analysis of how campaign-trail messages have been playing during the election season’s final hours.
Seniors’ Medicare Unease Turning Them Towards Romney, Republican Congressional Candidates
News outlets are reporting House Republicans appear to have thwarted the Democratic attack on Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to revamp Medicare as senior voters are more in the Republican camp.
Medicare, Health Law Part Of Obama, Romney Pitches For Votes
In the campaign’s final days, President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney deliver closing arguments about their health care positions, among other issues.
North Dakota Senate Race Is Costliest In State’s History
News outlets also report on tight Senate races in Pennsylvania and Indiana, House contests, including that of former GOP primary presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, R- Minn., and state ballot initiatives.
Medicare: Small Pay Raises For Family Care, Hospital Outpatient Services
Family physicians will get a 7 percent increase in Medicare payments while others who provide family care services will get 3 to 5 percent boosts. Hospital outpatient payments will grow 1.8 percent.
Legislation Planned To Tighten Oversight Of Compounding Pharmacies
Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., will introduce legislation requiring compounding pharmacies to meet the sterility, record-keeping and manufacturing standards faced by large drug makers.
AHA Sues Medicare Over Audit Program Aimed At Trimming Improper Payments
The American Hospital Association says the audit program is preventing hospitals from being reimbursed for care they provide.
CMS Raises Medicaid Rates For Some Doctors
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that, as a part of the health law, primary care and other physicians will see higher payments.
Mass. Adopts Stricter Rules, Penalties For Compounding Pharmacies
The emergency regulations will allow the state to monitor contamination and the volume of medicines being made.
Health Insurance News: Cigna Earnings Climb, Small Businesses Drop Coverage
A selection of news stories on issues affecting the insurance industry.
State Highlights: N.H. Hospital In Hepatitis Oubreak Must Allow Access To Patient Records
News outlets report on health care developments in Colorado, Florida, Illinios, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Lowering Health Costs Of The Poorest Sick; Local Variations In Health Spending
This week’s studies come from the Archives of Internal Medicine, Mortality and Morbidity Weekly, Mathematica, The Kaiser Family Foundation, The New England Journal of Medicine and other news outlets.
Companies, College Challenging Health Law’s Contraception Coverage Mandate
One Michigan company won an injunction from a district court judge, as another company and a Texas college file lawsuits.
