Latest KFF Health News Stories
Reports: State Budgets Looking Grim, Medicaid Particularly Problematic
Medicaid costs continue to rise as state revenues are not recovering fast enough from the recession.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
States Getting Arms Around Medicaid Expansion, Program Challenges
The health law’s treatment of using Medicaid to expand coverage to more Americans is examined in Georgia — where a doctor pay raise in the program has stirred discontent — and in Oregon, where 200,000 stand to qualify under the program’s expansion.
Appeals Court: Calif. Can Cut Medicaid Reimbursement Rates
A federal appeals court panel ruled Thursday that Medi-Cal payments to providers may be reduced by 10 percent — a move that HHS had previously approved.
Research Roundup: Workers’ Insurance Costs Vary Depending On Employers’ Size
This week’s studies come from The Kaiser Family Foundation, Health Affairs, the John A. Hartford Foundation, the American Journal of Public Health and other news outlets.
First Edition: December 14, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, featuring the latest reports on the fiscal negotiations — including how proposals to raise the Medicare eligibility are playing.
‘Fiscal Cliff’ Deal: What Will The Compromise Look Like?
Right now, news reports indicate that neither side shows much inclination toward making concessions, but a new Wall Street Journal/NBC poll indicates that Americans want lawmakers and the White House to reach an agreement. Analysts predict a softening of positions as the deadline for automatic tax increases and spending cuts approaches.
Liberal Dems Line Up Against Raising Medicare’s Eligibility Age
Proposals to raise the eligibility age continue to get traction in the fiscal negotiations between the White House and Congress. But liberal Democrats oppose it and express concern that President Barack Obama has not ruled it out.
Aetna CEO Predicts Some ‘Premium Rate Shock’ Because Of Health Law Provisions
In news about the health law, Bloomberg reports that Aetna’s Mark Bertolini says premiums for individuals and small businesses could as much as double in 2014, and Modern Healthcare examines what’s ahead for the accountable care organizations next year.
State Roundup: Mass. A Template For Controlling Health Care Costs?
A selection of health policy stories from California, Minnesota, Connecticut, Georgia and Florida.
Sides Wage Fights Over New Or Proposed Abortion Laws In Wis., Mich.
Wisconsin Planned Parenthood is challenging a state law in court that could expose doctors who give medically induced abortions to criminal charges. In the meantime, Michigan bills limiting abortion move closer to becoming law.
State Leaders Brace To Make Mental Health Program Changes
Officials and lawmakers in Wisconsin and North Carolina struggle to reform their mental health programs over delivering care and budgeting.
Study Examines Medicare Out-Of-Pocket Expenses In The Last 5 Years Of Life
The study conducted by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine study found that these expenses averaged about $39,000 for individuals and $51,000 for couples, CNN reports.
Question For Physicians, Politicians: Is ‘Doc Fix’ Part Of Capitol Hill Negotiations?
Medical providers are hoping that part of the fiscal cliff negotiations includes adjusting the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for Medicare.
States Face Friday Deadline On Health Exchanges
States must decide by Dec. 14 if they are going to operate their own health care marketplaces, or if they will defer to the federal government. They have until mid-February to decide whether to partner with the federal government or let the feds do it all. Meanwhile, polls in Missouri and Tennessee show public support for state-run marketplaces.
In Shadow Of The ‘Cliff,’ Other Capitol Hill Health Care Activity Goes On
On Capitol Hill, various members and committees are writing letters to the administration or proposing legislation.
GOP Govs Seek White House Meeting To Discuss Medicaid Expansion
The governors hope to discuss ways to make the health law’s Medicaid expansion — as well as the challenge of setting up health exchanges — more affordable.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: The Struggles To Reopen N.Y. Hospitals
This week’s articles come from the Los Angeles Times, The New York World, Modern Healthcare, The New York Times and The Atlantic.
First Edition: December 13, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories about how proposals to cut Medicare and other entitlement programs are playing with Democrats, and how a new poll shows overwhelming support from the public for a compromise deficit deal.
