Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: How Media Missed Ryan AARP Story; Romney And Women Voters; The Price Of Medical Mistakes
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Lawmakers Spar On Medicare Advantage Plans
In a Capitol Hill hearing Friday, Republicans challenged the Obama administration’s so-called Medicare Advantage “bonuses.”
The Postive Or Negative Impact Of Health Law Is In Eye Of Beholder
The New York Times reports on how states, whether they liked the sweeping overhaul or not, are now preparing for its implementation. Meanwhile, USA Today reports who some of the business sector’s biggest winners are.
Fate Of Health Law Tied To GOP White House, Senate Wins
Politico reports that Republicans may not get another chance to repeal “Obamacare” if they’re unsuccessful at wresting control of the Senate and the executive branch this year. Other news outlets report on specific House and Senate races.
First Edition: September 24, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the latest health politics and policy news.
GM, Union Agree To Cut Retiree Health Benefits In Exchange For Stock
GM’s United Auto Workers health care plan will own 17.5 percent of a reorganized GM after making concessions this week that will cut dental and vision benefits while increasing copays for some retired workers, The Detroit News reports.
Medicare, Health Reform, Women’s Issues Hot Topics On Campaign Trail
With the election a little more than six weeks away, news coverage included the role of health care in the outcome.
Medicare Takes Center Stage As President, Ryan Address AARP
The GOP vice presidential candidate is booed as he assails the president’s health law.
USA Today/Gallup Poll Shows Obama More Trusted On Medicare
Other polls indicate President Barack Obama is faring well in some swing states. GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s campaign hopes to shift the focus to federal spending and Medicare issues as Obama and GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan speak today to the AARP.
Health Law, Medicare Both Hot Issues In House And Senate Races
News outlets examine how health issues are playing out in a House race in Pennsylvania and a Senate race in Massachusetts.
Smoking, Obesity, Lack Of Insurance May Be Shortening Some Americans’ Life Spans
The New York Times reports that the nation’s life-expectancy trend has reversed by four years since 1990 for the country’s least-educated whites.
State Highlights: Big Changes Ahead For Mich. Blue Cross
Health policy news from Texas, Maryland, California, Wisconsin, Oregon, Kansas and Michigan.
Jindal, Campaigning For Romney, Says Health Law Will Penalize 6 Million People
The Louisiana governor denies ties between Romney’s health law in Massachusetts and the national overhaul championed by President Barack Obama.
Broker Bill Gets House Energy And Commerce Committee OK
The House panel approved legislation that would modify the health law’s medical loss ratio provision to protect the earnings of insurance brokers and agents.
Administration: Health Law Led Medicare Beneficiaries To Save $4.5B On Rx Drugs
USA Today reports the Obama administration is annoucing that, because of provisions in the health law Medicare’s prescription drug doughnut hole, Medicare beneficiaries experienced considerable savings.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Bipartisan Report Details Health Care Cost Drivers
The Bipartisan Policy Center issued a report yesterday detailing the reasons behind the nation’s spiralling health care costs. The reasons, according to BPC, including the fee-for-service reimbursement system and the tax treatment of health insurance.
Targeting Companies That Cut Health Care Costs
Reuters reports that the health care sector will be “a focal point” for years to come and looks at investments in companies that are likely to make money by helping to reduce costs. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News examines whether competitive health care models like Medicare Part D and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program are taming costs as effectively as supporters suggest.
Research Roundup: ‘Early’ Cost-Control Lessons From Mass.
This week’s health policy studies and analyses are from Health Affairs, the Archives of Internal Medicine, the Kaiser Family Foundation, American Cancer Society, National Colorectal Roundtable, the University of Massachusetts, the National Academy of Social Insurance and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
First Edition: September 21, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about recent polling results indicating that, despite GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s efforts to frame the Medicare debate, President Barack Obama still has the advantage on this issue.
