Latest KFF Health News Stories
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs and The Kaiser Family Foundation and other news sources.
First Edition: January 11, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on developments in the health care marketplace as well as state health policy and budget news.
Obama Taps White House Chief Of Staff To Head Treasury
News outlets report that although Jack Lew is known as a deficit hawk, he has been a defender of Medicaid and other safety net programs.
States Continue Efforts To Advance Health Exchanges
States look for creative ways to publicize the online marketplaces where people can shop for and purchase coverage beginning next fall. Meanwhile, Minnesota legislators introduce a measure to set up such a market, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott releases new, much smaller estimates of the cost of expanding that state’s Medicaid program.
Fiscal Cliff Boosts Clinical Data Registries, But Cuts Some Health Care Payments
CQ HealthBeat reports on a provision of the fiscal cliff law intended to encourage physicians to submit data to registries that could be a tool to promote better quality care. The Medicare NewsGroup analyzes another provision that changes how payments are calculated for end stage renal disease drugs.
U.S. Trails 16 Other Affluent Countries In Life Expectancy, Health Status
The federally sponsored report looked at a wide variety of health measures, including the rates of obesity, diabetes, heart and lung diseases, infant mortality, injuries, homicidies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Report: U.S. Could Save $2T Over A Decade By Encouraging Cost-Effective Care
A new report from the Commonwealth Fund says the federal government could save $2 trillion on health care costs over a decade if it accelerates provider adoption of more-effective care.
Governors Urge Feds To Give Them Bigger Health Care Voice
Democratic and Republican leaders of the National Governors Association asked for greater flexibility from the federal government on health law implementation.
Mass. Abortion Clinic ‘Buffer Zone’ Law Upheld By Federal Appeals Court
In Massachusetts, a federal appeals court has upheld a 2007 state law that makes it a crime to loiter within 35 feet of an abortion clinic, despite First Amendment challenges from anti-abortion advocates.
Anthem Proposes Double-Digit Rate Hikes In Calif., Prompting Insurance Commissioner Outcry
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is calling a recent double-digit rate hike proposal and reinsurance fee by Anthem Blue Cross in his state “unreasonable,” though he doesn’t have much power to change it.
Boston Declares Flu Emergency As Viruses Spread Across The Nation
Boston officials report 700 cases of flu and urge residents to get vaccinated.
HHS IG: Still Not Many Medicare Advantage Fraud Probes Despite 2007 Investigation
Elsewhere, 2013’s changes to Medicare are coming into focus.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Advocates Watching Calif. Budget For Medi-Cal Cuts
A selection of health policy news from California, Michigan, Kansas, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Virginia and Georgia.
A selection of stories revolving around Capitol Hill, including an effort to expand mental health care.
Longer Looks: A Key Hagel Mission Is To Cut Military Health Costs
This week’s articles come from ProPublica, The Daily Beast, Mother Jones, Forbes, Fortune, Houston Chronicle and The New York Times.
First Edition: January 10, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about Jack Lew, who is President Barack Obama’s pick to head the Treasury Department and has a record of protecting Medicaid and the safety net.
Federal Officials Scale Back Maine’s Plan For Medicaid Cuts
The Obama administration has denied Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s idea to cut health coverage for more than 20,000 low-income residents, but let stand provisions that would cut benefits for another nearly 13,000 residents.
Medicaid Cost Estimates Trigger Florida Flap
Florida Gov. Rick Scott expressed cost concerns about the health law’s Medicaid expansion during a meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, again drawing a wave of criticism that he is exaggerating the potential cost.
Whistleblowers, Sheltered Assets Key In Medicaid Fraud And Abuse
Whistleblowers are an increasingly important part of detecting Medicaid fraud while GOP lawmakers look more closely at those who shelter their assets in order to qualify for the program’s long-term care.
