Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
First Edition: December 10, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from major new outlets, including the latest about yesterday’s “fiscal cliff” meeting between President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner, as well as other health policy reports.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Medicare Advisory Group Recommends 1% Increase In Hospital Rates
The head of the group that advises Congress on Medicare issued the draft recommendation, which will be voted on by the full board in January.
Minn. Review Finds HMOs Working In Medicaid And State Health Programs Are ‘Generally Sound’
The probe, however, did highlight some areas of concern.
VA To Offer New Rules For Veterans With Brain Injuries
The new regulations will make it easier for veterans with traumatic brain injuries to get health care and compensation for a variety of illnesses. Meanwhile, an agreement between the VA and the Indian Health Service will allow some veterans to get care without travelling far.
States Cut Anti-Tobacco Efforts Despite Record Revenue From Taxes, National Settlement
States spend less than 2 percent of what they collect from tobacco taxes and a national tobacco settlement on smoking cessation and prevention efforts, a new report says.
More Compounding Pharmacies Closed As New Infections Are Reported
Massachusetts orders the closing of three more pharmacies, while health officials in at least two states report additional infections from contaminated steroids, although the latest cases are not life-threatening.
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, Minnesota, California, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Virginia, Kentucky and New York.
NPR notes that some backers of the “morning after” pill hope to get HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ to review her year-old decision to not to lift the age restrictions on the drug. The Texas Tribune also finds that legislators there are coming to grips with the cost of more than 20,000 babies expected because of the lack of state-subsidized birth control.
Raising Medicare’s Eligibility Age Would Bring Trade-Offs
The Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press examine the implications of one option being considered in the federal deficit talks and discover some surprising consequences, including higher premiums for those already covered by Medicare.
