Latest KFF Health News Stories
Also, GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan and Vice President Joe Biden traded barbs on Medicare this weekend.
Obama, Romney Spar Over Medicare, Health Reform Policies
News outlets offer a variety of coverage on these issues – including how Medicare is playing in the polls and what motivates senior voters. And a new Families USA study offers a critical assessment of Mitt Romney’s health policies.
Health Policies Bubble Up In House And Senate Races
The Associated Press reports on the pull presidential coattails could have in some down-ballot races, and other news outlets report on how Medicare is playing in Virginia, Nevada and Wisconsin races.
Employers Offer Buffet Of Health Care Coverage Choices — But With Limits
Some companies are offering employees a set amount to spend during the next open enrollment period for health insurance and making the employees choose coverage themselves — instead of offering one or two plans to them.
Issa Threatens To Subpoena HHS Medicare Advantage Documents
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, alleges that the Department of Health and Human Services is using an $8 billion Medicare bonus payment demonstration project to mask the health law’s cuts to Medicare advantage plans in advance of the election.
Patients, Physicians Face Health IT Divide
Medpage Today reports that though about 60 percent of patients are eager to access their health records and communicate with their doctors online, only about 40 percent of physicians have the capability to do so.
Viewpoints: Obamacare A ‘Big Plus’?; What Happened To GOP Anger Over Health Law?
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Counterfeit Drugs For Sale: FDA Issues Warning Regarding Online Pharmacies
The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that many online pharmacies are fraudulent, according to the Associated Press.
Liberal Christians Protest Hobby Lobby Lawsuit Over Contraception Coverage Mandate
Elsewhere, fallout from Texas’ budget cuts for family funding services has forced several clinics to close.
Report: States, Feds Collected $30B In Fraud Settlements In 20 Years
A new report finds federal and state authorities have collected more than $30 billion from drug company fraud settlements in the last 20 years.
Republican Governors Push HHS For Health Law Implementation Details
In yet another letter sent Thursday to the Obama administration, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, the chairman of the Republican Governors Association, demanded information and offered a new round of criticism regarding the overhaul. Also on Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services announced $224 million in grant awards to five states to help fund the development of health exchanges.
Maryland Sets Insurance Marketplace Plan Benchmark; Other State Health Law News
In Maryland, a board sets a state employee health plan as the benchmark for others in the marketplace. In the meantime, New Mexico examines what it has to gain from a Medicaid expansion, and Virginians give a thumbs down to the health law.
State Highlights: Free Calif. Health Care Clinic A Big Draw
A selection of health policy stories from California and North Carolina.
Research Roundup: Saving Money With Hospital Observation Units
Analyses, briefs and research from Health Affairs, JAMA, the Archives of Internal Medicine, the Milbank Quarterly and the Commonwealth Fund.
First Edition: September 28, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about political and policy-oriented health care developments.
Talk On The Trail: Romney Praises His Own Mass. Health Reforms, Denounces The 2010 Health Law
In what The Washington Post describes as “political flexibility,” GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney touted the state health law he signed while Massachusetts’ governor as proof of compassion and empathy, while also sharply criticizing the federal health law, which is viewed as President Barack Obama’s signature legislative achievement.
Polls: Obama Scores Higher In Trust On Medicare
A new Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll found that 52 percent of the public trusts President Barack Obama over GOP presidential pick Mitt Romney to do a beter job with Medicare’s future, although young people are more receptive than seniors to Republican Medicare proposals. Meanwhile, a survey by AP-GfK found substantial belief in the widely challenged idea that the law includes “death panels.”
Inspector General: Medicare Wrongly Paid Millions For Refills On Restricted Prescriptions
A government report concludes that Medicare regularly paid for refilled pain pills and other meds that actually require a fresh prescription, according to The Associated Press.
Big Employers Change The Way They Provide Health Benefits
The Wall Street Journal reports on developments related to the health benefits provided by two large employers. Also, in the backgroun, The Associated Press reports on how smart decision-making and money saving will be eaiser during this year’s open enrollment season.
Medicaid: Ariz. Expansion Savings Detailed; Kan. Prepares For Managed Care Approval
In Arizona, a new report details how a Medicaid expansion there would save the state money and create jobs. In Kansas, an official says the state’s planned move of Medicaid recipients to managed care is likely to be approved by federal authorities.
