Latest KFF Health News Stories
Bipartisan Report Details Health Care Cost Drivers
The Bipartisan Policy Center issued a report yesterday detailing the reasons behind the nation’s spiralling health care costs. The reasons, according to BPC, including the fee-for-service reimbursement system and the tax treatment of health insurance.
Targeting Companies That Cut Health Care Costs
Reuters reports that the health care sector will be “a focal point” for years to come and looks at investments in companies that are likely to make money by helping to reduce costs. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News examines whether competitive health care models like Medicare Part D and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program are taming costs as effectively as supporters suggest.
Research Roundup: ‘Early’ Cost-Control Lessons From Mass.
This week’s health policy studies and analyses are from Health Affairs, the Archives of Internal Medicine, the Kaiser Family Foundation, American Cancer Society, National Colorectal Roundtable, the University of Massachusetts, the National Academy of Social Insurance and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
First Edition: September 21, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about recent polling results indicating that, despite GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s efforts to frame the Medicare debate, President Barack Obama still has the advantage on this issue.
Bipartisan Report Focuses On Issues Driving Up Health Care Costs
The Bipartisan Policy Center hopes to educate the public and Congress about the causes of health inflation.
CBO: More People Than Expected Will Face Health Law’s Penalty
The Congressional Budget Office now estimates that nearly six million people – two million more than previously thought – will face penalties for not getting health insurance as a result of the 2010 health law.
Administration Touts Thriving Medicare Advantage Under Health Law
Enrollment in the private plans is projected to increase 11 percent next year, while premiums hold steady, officials say, disproving predictions made by critics of the health care law.
Drug Co. Execs Say Cost-Containment Pressures Undermine Medical Innovation
Executives such as the Bayer CEO said this kind of pressure could hamper efforts to bring new meds to market.
New Okla. Challenge To Health Law Zeros In On Tax Penalties And Subsidies
In a new legal challenge, the state’s attorney general is asking a federal court to rule that the law’s requirement that most people purchase insurance or face a tax penalty is inoperative in his state.
N.Y. Times Examines Why Many Kidneys Available For Transplant Are Discarded
In each of the past five years, more than 2,600 kidneys were recovered and discarded, according to government data.
Indiana Braces For The Costs Of Health Law’s Expanded Coverage
In addition to questions about costs from the health law’s Medicaid expansion, states are also wrestling with issues related to the creation of health exchanges and questions regarding essential benefits.
Study Finds Drug May Aid Some Autism Patients
The experimental drug can improve sociability in people who have fragile X syndrome and may help autism patients, the Los Angeles Times reports.
CMS Eyes Improper Medicare Payments For Power Wheelchairs
A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official testified on Capitol Hill Wednesday that 80 percent of this type of fee-for-service Medicare claim should not have been paid.
Layoffs Hit Group Health in Washington and Boston Children’s Hospital
Group Health Cooperative, a leader in innovations, insures about 600,000 in Washington state.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Alabama Voters Approve Moving Money From State Trust Fund To Balance Budget
Medicaid officials say the vote results will help prevents massive cuts that had been forecast.
State Roundup: HCA Fined For Kickbacks; Minn. Rural Health Care Investigation
A roundup of health policy news from Tennessee, Oregon, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington state, Minnesota and Tennessee.
New Census Data Show Insurance Coverage Expands In 20 States
Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont saw the biggest expansions, while Missouri and Montana saw declines in coverage. The biggest increases occurred among young adults between the ages of 19 and 25.
Presidential Campaigns Vie For Specific Voting Blocs
The New York Times reports that young adults are up for grabs in several key states. Meanwhile, both candidates are courting Hispanics. The Washington Post reports that women voters are key to President Barack Obama in Virginia.
Longer Looks: A ‘Renegade’ Bill Frist?; The Pharmacist’s Expanding Role
This week’s articles come from Politico, Fox Business, The Atlantic, The New York Times and the Detroit Free Press.
