Latest KFF Health News Stories
Meningitis Outbreak Fuels Calls For More Oversight
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight people have died and 105 people in nine states have been sickened by a type of fungal meningitis they were exposed to when they received tainted spinal steroid injections.
Decrease In Doctor Appointments, Preventable Hospital Visits Draw Scrutiny
Medpage Today offers a pair of stories exploring Census findings regarding doctor visits in 2010 as well as MedPAC’s interest in “preventable” hospital visits.
Telemedicine: Nantucket Hospital’s Example Demonstrates Telemedicine’s Utility
The New York Times reports on how for some health care facilities telemedicine makes a lot of sense.
New Rating System To Focus On Patient Data Provided By Electronic Health Records
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is developing a new rating system to help guage the growing amount of health information directed at patients and consumers.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Report: Health Law Will Benefit Many Firms, But Mid-Size Would See Costs Rise
According to an Urban Institute study, the health-coverage costs carried by small businesses will likely fall if the 2010 health law is completely implemented, but companies with 101 – 1,000 employees could experience a jump in their costs.
New Limits On Death Record Access Could Hamper Hospital Safety
The New York Times reports on how a shift by the Social Security Administration is raising a range of concerns, including this issue regarding health care quality.
In Congress, Deal-Making Mood May Emerge From Budget Issues
The New York Times reports that, as lawmakers on Capitol Hill face “so many potentially calamitous tax and budget issues,” necessity may bring consensus.
Senate Candidates Spar Over Medicare, Health Policies
Campaign debates in Virginia and Michigan focus on Medicare and health issues while the GOP candidate in Ohio says he has not yet signed on to Republican plan to revamp Medicare.
First Edition: October 9, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how a new poll indicates GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney gained a significant bounce from last week’s debate performance.
Presidential Candidates Focus Message On Medicare, Health Law
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney campaigned in Florida and blasted the health law as a threat to seniors while President Barack Obama attempted to highlight Romney’s changes in position.
Feisty Campaign Ads, Debates In Congressional Races Take On Health Policy Themes
News outlets also report on how health policies are playing in specific contests, such as Senate campaigns in Connecticut, Arizona and Wisconsin, as well as the Bilbray-Peters House race in California.
Loose Oversight May Be To Blame In Meningitis Outbreak
The New York Times reports that “scant oversight” and “loose regulations” of a drug maker allowed a company to sell thousands of unsafe drug vials to pain clinics in 23 states.
UnitedHealth To Buy Brazilian Health Insurer
Bloomberg reports that UnitedHealth Group agreed to pay about $4.9 billion to buy 90 percent of Amil Participacoes SA, a Brazil-based insurer and hospitals operator.
Medicaid News: Florida Program Caught Between Feds And State Efforts
The Department of Health and Human Services and Florida officials negotiate changes to the state’s Medicaid plan. In the meantime, Arkansas doctors offer a cautious endorsement as the state tries “episodic” payments for some common conditions.
How The Health Law Could Play Into Consumers’ Decisions During Open Enrollment Season
The Fiscal Times details how the parts of the 2010 law will create new choices and responsibilities for employers, insurers and employees.
MedPAC Staffers Recommend Allowing Geographically Based Medicare Physician Payments To Proceed
These pay reductions have long been frozen, but that freeze is set to expire on Dec. 31. MedPAC, itself, has yet to vote on the issue. Meanwhile, a pair of KHN stories examine separate Medicare issues, including the difficult decisions in play as a family member enrolls in the program, as well as the details of a study about seniors’ ER visits.
Progress, Obstacles and Lawsuits Affecting Health Law Implementation
A stack of roadblocks confront federal officials implementing parts of the health care reform law including on health law exchanges, a free contraception coverage mandate rule and a board of Medicare spending growth board — IPAB.
Viewpoints: Romney’s Views On Health Care Still Mysterious; Treating The Dying Patient
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
New Legislation Proposed To Improve Seniors’ Care Coordination
The bill backed by Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Pa., and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., would promote better coordination between medical and social services for elderly people by building on the Older Americans Act.
