Latest KFF Health News Stories
Californians support health reform, a new polls says, even as Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown seeks a special session from state lawmakers to deal with health reform issues, which he says can go no further without more federal guidance.
Ryan’s Positions On Women’s Issues Become Campaign Target
Politico reports on how Rep. Paul Ryan’s record on reproductive issues — including co-sponosring a “personhood amendment” that would declare a fertilized egg to be a person, and voting to defund Planned Parenthood — could widen President Barack Obama’s lead among women. Meanwhile, a controversial comment about rape by a GOP candidate running for Senate in Missouri has stirred anger and angst.
How’s Medicare Playing In The Florida Senate Race?
News outlets report on how Medicare is shaping the much-watched Florida Senate race as well as how this year’s House candidates that are physicians also tend to be Democrats.
Ind. Bid For Medicaid Waiver Extension Denied; Managed Care Contracts Make News
In Indiana, officials are denied an extension on a Bush-era Medicaid waiver just as New Mexico seeks to revise its Medicaid overhaul plan.
First Edition: August 20, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the Medicare story is continuing to unfold on the presidential campaign trail.
Obama And Romney Offer Competing Medicare Visions
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney broke out a whiteboard outside an air terminal to illustrate his key points. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama’s campaign launched a new ad to argue his approach strengthens the program, citing plaudits from the seniors group AARP.
Ryan Pressed On $716 Billion, 10-Year Medicare Cut
Romney criticizes those reductions in the future growth of Medicare, which were put in place by the 2010 health law. But his running mate, Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan, is put on the spot by reporters about why he included those same reductions in his budget proposals, which were passed twice by the House.
CDC: Baby Boomers Should Be Tested For Hepatitis C
Americans born between 1945 and 1965 are at particularly high risk for Hepatitis C and should be tested, according to new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s Offer Health Industry Perspectives
Moody’s gave the American not-for-profit health care sector a negative outlook because of uncertainly surrounding funding for federal health programs and gridlock surrounding the health law. But S&P notes that revenue for Medicare and commercial insurers grew over the year that ended in June.
Outcome Of Governors’ Races Will Impact The Health Law’s Reach
Politico Pro reports that if power shifts to the right, the implementation of the health law could be minimized.
For Hospitals, The Rush Is Not On To Become An ACO
According to a Commonwealth Fund report, only about 13 percent of hospitals surveyed are participating or planning to participate in an accountable care organizations.
Views On Medicare Feud: Both Sides Working Toward Cuts; If Vouchers Aren’t The Answer, What Is?
Several editorials and opinions offer new perspectives on the presidential campaign’s focus on federal funding of Medicare.
State News: Mich. Lawmakers Pass Bill To Cut State Share Of Teachers’ Health Care
News outlets cover health issues in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee and Texas.
Views From Mass.: Novel Effort To Curb Health Costs Is Being Closely Watched
Several outlets analyze the state’s initiative to slow health expenditures.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Democrats Unleash Medicare Attack Ads In Congressional Races
Ads from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are being run against Rep. Dan Benishek of Michigan and North Carolina state Sen. David Rouzer, the Republican opponent of Rep. Mike McIntyre.
Polls: Opposition To Changing Medicare Cuts Across Party Lines
Two polls, one conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, and another conducted by KFF and the Washington Post, find that a majority of Republicans and Democrats oppose plans to cut Medicare benefits or transform the program into a “definied-contribution” model.
Research Roundup: Safety Net Hospitals Prepare For Health Law Changes
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the Archives of Internal Medicine, and the Urban Institute.
First Edition: August 17, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest reports about how the debate over Medicare cuts is shaping up on the campaign trail.
Top-Of-The-Ticket Sparring Focuses On Medicare
In a Wednesday campaign appearance, President Barack Obama and GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney went on the attack, trading barbs over the Medicare program. For Romney, it included taking steps to distance himself from the ideas advanced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Paul Ryan, his pick for running mate.
