Latest KFF Health News Stories
With Rock Star Fanfare, Clinton Talks Health Care On The Campaign Trail
Speaking to what the New York Times described as a sellout crowd in Florida, former President Bill Clinton reprised many of his convention speech themes regarding how the health law is strengthening Medicare and providing benefits to millions of Americans. The Obama campaign is expected to continue to rely on Clinton as a surrogate in battleground states.
Federal Judges End Challenge To Idaho’s ‘Fetal Pain’ Law That Bans Some Abortion
The appeals panel says the woman bringing the suit didn’t have standing to stop the law since she wasn’t charged with a crime. In the meantime, however, the judges also found that the law places an “undue burden” on women seeking abortions.
ACO ‘Predecessor’ Saved Medicare Money, According To JAMA Study
The study, which examined the Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration, found the incentive program resulted in health care savings.
Medicaid News: Fight Over Expansion Brews In Ark.
State Medicaid budget issues show promise in Colorado — where a cost savings program may be working — and North Carolina — where the program has spent less than anticipated.
Job-Based Insurance Costs Rose 4% In 2012
The increase, although higher than the rise in wages or inflation, was less than the 9 percent rise in 2011.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Sebelius Likely To Stay Put In Obama Second Term
If President Barack Obama wins reelection, Politico Pro reports that its a good bet that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius would stay in her current position.
House Panel Votes To Separate Agents’ Payments From Health Law’s MLR Rules
On a largely party-line vote, a subcommittee approved a plan that would modify this provision of the 2010 health law in order to protect the earnings of health insurance brokers and agents. A vote by the full Energy and Commerce Committee is expected next week.
State Roundup: Mich. Gov. Proposes Making BCBS A Tax-Paying Insurer
A selection of health policy stories from Michigan, Connecticut, West Virginia, California, Vermont and Kansas.
Seniors: An Increasingly Politically Motivated Demographic
The New York Times reports on how issues such as Medicare, Social Security and the health law have raised the stakes in this year’s political debate among people of retirement age.
HHS Details Consumer Savings From Lower Premiums, Rebates
A Health and Human Services Department analysis estimated that consumers have saved $2.1 billion from the health law’s consumer protections, resulting in lower premiums and rebates.
First Edition: September 12, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about former President Bill Clinton’s role on the presidential campaign trail as well as reports from Capitol Hill and details of a new survey regarding health insurance costs.
Campaigns Dispute Impact Of Medicare ‘Voucher-Type’ Plan
Medicare stays atop the rhetoric in the campaign for both the White House and Congress.
Obama, Romney Making Few Stops To Help Congressional Campaigns
News outlets examine some of the campaign trail dynamics shaking out from the top of the ticket into House and Senate races.
U.S. To Cover Costs Of Cancer Treatment For 9/11 First Responders
Reuters reports that the estimated 70,000 surviving firefighters, police officers and other first responders who were on the scene at the World Trade Center after the attacks of September 11, 2001, will be entitled to free monitoring and treatment for 50 forms of cancer.
Newly tapped GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, who also chairs the House Budget Committee, will be back in Congress this week to vote on legislation to fund the government through March.
Leading U.S. Nun Calls On GOP Governors To Accept Medicaid Expansion
A leading U.S. nun is joining other religious leaders in using a moral argument to try to convince Republican governors that they should implement the health law’s Medicaid expansion for the poor.
A New Round Of Polls Explores Attitudes About Presidential Candidates, Health Policies
A new Washington Post-ABC News polls finds President Barack Obama has a slight edge over his challenger Mitt Romney among registered voters. A CNN poll finds Obama has a bigger advantage on health care and Medicare issues. Another poll by United Technologies/National Journal shows Americans increasingly concerned about the future of Medicare, raising warning flags for both parties.
Planned Parenthood, Anti-Abortion Group Spending, Raising Money In Presidential Race
Planned Parenthood is planning a foray in to the presidential race by buying advertising in battleground states aimed at Mitt Romney over his abortion stance. In the meantime, an anti-abortion group is raising money in response to last week’s Democratic National Convention.
Viewpoints: Romney’s Whiplash On Health Law; Clinton’s Mistaken Argument About Medicare Savings
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
