Latest KFF Health News Stories
Poll: Economy Trumps Medicare, Women’s Health Issues
As delegates to the Republican National Convention gather in Tampa, a new poll finds GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama neck-and-neck. Romney will use the week to introduce himself to American voters, but news outlets warn against expecting much substantive policy to emerge from the speeches.
Obama, Romney Trade More Medicare Barbs
President Barack Obama went on the Medicare attack, using his weekly address to challenge Republican charges that he cut Medicare. Obama also launched a new ad saying that the Romney-Ryan ticket would end Medicare as it exists today. But the Romney campaign has Medicare messages of its own.
Official Predicts Consequences For Ala. Medicaid If Voters Don’t OK Emergency Funds
The Associated Press reports that the official running Alabama’s Medicaid program finances says if voters there don’t approve funding the program with more than $437 million from the state’s trust fund, the resulting large cuts could jeopardize medical care for the poor.
HHS Makes Official A One-Year Delay For ICD-10
Physicians will now not have to use this new set of diagnostic codes until Oct. 1, 2014.
Abortion Issues Emerge As Distraction For Republicans
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney charges Democrats with trying to exploit comments made by Missouri Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin for political gain.
Views On Abortion Debate: Akin’s Defiance Hurts Romney; Sen. Snowe On Mending The GOP’s Image
As Republicans assemble for their convention, Rep. Todd Akin’s comments about rape and abortion are still reverberating.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Views On Medicare: Rep. Kathy Hochul’s Campaign; Ryan’s Vision; Wyden’s Role
Opinion writers focus on the presidential campaign’s Medicare debate.
Mergers, Acquisitions And New Affiliations Change Roles For Insurers, Providers
News outlets report on changes in the health care marketplace.
Public Fear Of Medical Data Theft Slows Acceptance Of Electronic Health Records
A Harris Interactive survey has found that 63 percent of Americans fear their health data will be stolen — slowing public acceptance of electronic health records.
American Academy Of Pediatrics Says Circumcision Benefits Outweigh Risks
Shifting its stance, the pediatricians’ group now says the benefits of circumcising boys to protect against disease outweighs the risk, but that the decision should be up to parents.
The Links Among Paul Ryan’s Policies, Politics And Personality
The Washington Post examines the vision of Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the likely GOP vice presidential nominee.
Romney Points To Mass. Law To Defend Positions On Women’s Health Issues
On the eve of the Republican convention, GOP presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney embraced the health law he signed while governor of Massachusetts as evidence that he would protect women’s access to health care.
States Consider Names, Logistics For Health Insurance Exchanges
California officials ponder how to brand the new marketplaces to create consumer buzz, while Connecticut officials move ahead with plans to launch next year.
State Roundup: Ga. AIDS Drug Assistance Waiting List At Zero
A selection of health policy news from Georgia, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Idaho, Alaska, California, Connecticut and North Carolina.
First Edition: August 27, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about this week’s GOP convention, the politics of Medicare and abortion, and the latest health policy news from the states.
Medicare, Health Policies Stay In Spotlight At Top Of The Ticket
The Washington Post compares how Medicare fares under the health law versus under the Ryan plan, while NBC questions whether the GOP effort to hammer President Obama for reducing Medicare spending to pay for the health overhaul will work — especially since GOP budget proposals make the same cuts.
On Campaign Trail, Polls And Politics Swirl Around Medicare, Abortion Debates
A New York Times/CBS News/Quinnipiac poll finds that even in the midst of the Medicare debate, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney appears to have gained ground in Florida and other swing states.
Few State Laws Restricting Abortion Make Exceptions For Rape Victims
Politico Pro examines state abortion laws and finds few waivers for rape victims. Also, California lawmakers spar over rape comments made by Missouri Republican Rep. Todd Akin.
HHS Softens Stage 2 Meaningful Use Standards For Electronic Health Records
In other health information technology news, the American Hospital Association has suggested modifications to Federal Communication Commission’s Rural Health Care Pilot Program.
