Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Highlights: Texas Pursues Some Medicaid Providers
Health policy news from Oregon, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and California.
White House Meeting Kicks Off ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Negotiations
News outlets set the scene for President Barack Obama’s meeting today with lawmakers. Both sides say they want a deal, but privately, some Democrats acknowledge they would rather go over the cliff than accept a deal that raised too few taxes while cutting Medicare and Medicaid. Some Republicans feel that way about tax increases.
Senators Pledge Regulation Of Compounding Pharmacies
At a Capitol Hill hearing, senators from both parties promised to take action following a meningitis outbreak that killed 32 people.
Research Roundup: Talking To Patients About End-Of-Life Care
This week’s studies come from the Annals of Family Medicine, the American Journal of Public Health, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the Government Accountability Office and other news sources.
First Edition: November 16, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports detailing the Obama administration’s deadline extention — now until Dec. 14 — for states to decide how they want to proceed with the health law’s insurance exchanges.
Survey: Most U.S. Primary Care Docs Using EMRs
Two-thirds of American primary care physicians surveyed reported using electronic health records.
All The Newly Single (Uninsured) Ladies
About 115,000 women lose health insurance annually after a divorce and about half don’t get replacement coverage.
Health Exchange Status Check: Will States, Feds Be Ready?
States face a Friday deadline to indicate whether they plan to establish their own online health insurance markets, or allow the federal government to do it. Meanwhile, debate continues about whether delays in updating essential software and other glitches could hamper the start of enrollment in the markets beyond the Oct. 1, 2013 target specified in the health law.
Who’s In? Who’s Out? Who’s Yet To Decide?
With the deadline looming, news outlets report on the positions states are taking regarding the establishment of state-based health insurance exchanges.
Romney Says Loss The Result Of Obama’s ‘Gifts’ To Certain Constituences
Certain provisions of the 2010 health law were key “gifts” that GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said were to blame for his loss. Other Republican leaders, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal disputed Romney’s comments.
The Latest Fraud Target: Medicaid Personal-Care Programs
Medicaid personal-care programs are emerging as a prime target for fraud, according to a report to be released today.
Employer Health Costs Rise 4.1% — Slowest Growth In 15 Years
Employer health costs rose just 4.1 percent nationally in 2012 — the slowest rate of growth in 15 years — as employers offer more high-deductible plans and increase employee cost-sharing, a new report from consulting firm Mercer has found.
Pelosi Opts To Stay House Democratic Leader; GOP Selects Woman To House Leadership Team
Meanwhile, some Republicans are pushing for creation of a new health committee in the House.
Sebelius Subpoenaed To Answer Questions On Health Law Promotion
The GOP-controlled House Ways and Means Committee has subpoenaed Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to answer questions over how the administration is promoting the health law.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
FDA Chief Urges Greater Oversight Of Drug Compounders; Republicans Skeptical
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Wednesday questioned Food and Drug Administration head Margaret Hamburg and the co-owner of a compounding pharmacy linked with a deadly meningitis outbreak. Hamburg called for Congress to give the FDA greater oversight of compounding pharmacies, which was met with skepticism by Republican lawmakers.
Obama Pledges ‘Substantive Changes’ To Medicare As Part Of Budget Deal
President Barack Obama told some of the nation’s top CEOs Wednesday that he was committed to “substantive changes” to Medicare and other entitlement programs, but Senate Democrats are warning him not to cave on entitlements as negotiations with congressional leaders move forward. Also in the mix, health care providers lobby to counter possible Medicare cuts.
State Roundup: Medicaid Overruns Drive Budget Problems
News outlets report on health news in California, Connecticut, Colorado and Florida.
Longer Looks: Learning To Laugh In The Doc’s Office
This week’s articles come from The Los Angeles Times, The Miami Herald, The Daily Beast, American Medical News and The New York Times Magazine.
First Edition: November 15, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest details on states’ decisions about pursuing health exchanges as well as other political and policy developments.
