Latest KFF Health News Stories
Drug Development Pipeline Sometimes Involves Intersection Of Influence, Research And Profits
The Washington Post examines the growing role of pharmaceutical industry money in medical research and the conflicts that can create.
Two New Studies Explore How Laws, Advertising Impact Cancer Costs
Reuters reports on two new studies regarding cancer treatment costs, including findings that laws don’t curb the use of pricey prostate cancer treatments and that ads don’t increase the use of aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer.
Changes In Health Care Deductions Soon To Kick In
The Wall Street Journal examines key changes in the health insurance marketplace for which consumers should be prepared.
Plan To Pay Less For Certain Diagnostic Tests Draws Fire
The Boston Globe reports that a plan to reduce Medicare costs is opposed by neurologists.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Medicaid Budget Issues Mean Tough Choices Across Nation
Medicaid programs in Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and California deal with swelling rolls, tight budgets and reimbursement decisions.
A selection of health policy stories from Arkansas, Wisconsin, Maine, Texas, Kansas, California and Minnesota.
First Edition: November 26, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a range of stories regarding the future of the “fiscal cliff” negotiations as well as reports about the strategies that might now be used by health law opponents.
Guarded Optimism On Fiscal Cliff Deal, Could Mean Medicare Changes
As Congress prepares to return this week, the Sunday talk shows included talk of compromise, though there are fears of even more partisan fighting in the next Congress.
Fiscal Cliff Talks Moving Slowly; Boehner Wants Health Law On Table
The New York Times reports that Democrats are asking Republicans to define what “structural changes” they want in Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, the House speaker wrote on op-ed saying the health law should be part of the upcoming debate on debt.
State Roundup: Calif. Schedules Health Care Special Session; Fla. To Boost Medicaid Payment Rates
A selection of health policy stories from California, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon and Texas.
Aetna CEO: Deficit Fix Rests On Slowing Health Care Wasteful Spending
The Washington Post also offers advice on open-enrollment season for the federal employee health plan.
Online Access To Colorado Docs Linked To More Office Visits
The assumption had always been that offering patients e-mail access to their doctors and records would reduce office visits, but a new study from Kaiser Permanente of Colorado showed the opposite.
Meningitis Outbreak Could Prompt Call For Executive Jail Time
A tough prosecutor, the large number of people harmed and high public scrutiny could mean jail time for executives of the New England Compounding Center — the pharmacy at the center of the deadly meningitis outbreak. The pharmacy’s lawyers counter that the executives had no direct hand in the illnesses.
Study Predicts Shortage of Primary Care Doctors Will Worsen
The U.S. will need about 52,000 new primary-care doctors by 2025 as the population grows and ages, projects a study in the Annals of Family Medicine.
OB-GYN Group Calls For Over-The-Counter Birth Control Pills
In an opinion in their monthy journal, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said OTC pills would help curb unintended pregnancies.
Health Law Provisions Still Unknown To Lots Of Americans
The Washington Post reports that the public is largely unaware of major changes coming. Meanwhile, the administration continues to get ready to implement the law.
‘Doc Fix’ Cost: $25 Billion For One Year, CBO Says
The Hill reports that delaying a scheduled pay cut for one year to doctors who treat Medicare patients would cost $25 billion.
Study: 40% Of Surgery Complications Occur When Patients Are Home
Meanwhile, in other hospital news, Bloomberg looks at the increasing number of emergency departments that offer online reservations.
Fiscal Cliff: Lame Duck Budget Talks Begin
News outlets report on the early negotiations among White House and congressional staff.
