Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: October 3, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including presidential debate previews and reports on a new round of polling.
Debate Primer: ‘A Mere 15 Minutes’ Set Aside To Cover Lots Of Differences On Health Policies
News outlets set the scene for some of the tough health policy questions the two presidential candidates might face during tomorrow night’s debate. Also in the news, new ads are unleashed on the health law and women’s health issues.
Obama Administration Urges States To Pursue Health Law Medicaid Expansion
Even as federal officials push states to expand Medicaid programs, at least a dozen states are not ready or not willing to set up state-based health exchanges — another aspect of the health law that is key to expanding insurance coverage.
State Roundup: AP Probes Va. Hospital’s Actions In Woman’s Death
A selection of health policy stories from Nebraska, Missouri, Virginia, California, Kansas and Minnesota.
Senate Leaders Working On Post-Election Plan To Avoid ‘Fiscal Cliff’
The New York Times reports that a bipartisan group is trying to find a path to a deficit reduction deal, but Democrats and Republicans still remain far apart on details.
Washington Post Buys Major Stake In Celtic Healthcare Inc.; Tenet Plans Buybacks
News outlets report on these health business developments.
Post Office’s Retiree Health Benefits Hole Gets Deeper
On Monday, the agency defaulted on a $5.6 billion payment for its future retiree health benefits.
Clouds And Venture Capital: Both Sides Of Health Technology News
NPR reports on how cloud computing is making the discovery of new drugs and new medical treatments easier and less expensive, but Reuters reports that venture captial funding for health technology is getting harder to come by.
Census Reports Americans Go To The Doctor Less Often
A study of working-age people found that the average number of doctor appointments dropped from 4.8 visits a year in 2001 to 3.9 visits in 2010.
Study Finds Medicare May Favor Skilled-Nursing Facilities Over Hospice
According to findings published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, almost a third of Medicare beneficiaries getting end-of-life care use their benefits to pay for nursing home services.
Study Finds Access To Doctors’ Notes Helps Patients Manage Their Health
Consumers are more likely to understand health issues and maintain medication schedules.
Liberty University Hopes To Revive Health Law Challenge
The school says its suit raises questions not answered by the Supreme Court in its June decision and is asking the high court to order an appeals court to hear the case.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
First Edition: October 2, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about states’ readiness to implement the health law.
Campaign Issues And Answers: Health Coverage, Costs, Quality
Policy positions related to the future of the nation’s health system have taken on significance for presidential candidates, as have issues related to women’s health, entitlement spending and deficit reduction.
Medicare Begins Latest Pay-For-Performance Effort; Hospital Readmissions Among Program Targets
Medicare is beginning to withhold funding if hospitals readmit too many patients within 30 days of their release. It’s part of a broader federal push to improve health care quality.
Missouri, Wisconsin Senate Races Grab Headlines
News outlets report on the Missouri Senate race pitting Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill against GOP challenger Todd Akin and the Wisconsin contest between Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin and former Gov. Tommy Thompson. In both cases, themes of the health law are playing an important role.
New Films Focus On ‘Ailing’ American Health Care System
Several new films being released examine the American health care system. One being released in theaters this week includes a look at the nation’s for-profit system and proposes greater use of alternative healing.
House Republicans Criticize Efforts To Get Health Law A Starring Role In TV Shows
Also in Capitol Hill news, a House Democrat introduced legislation to increase the number of government-supported medical residencies as a way to address the nation’s looming doctor shortage.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
