Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: September 18, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a New York Times’ report about the health law’s limits on young immigrants who will be allowed to stay in the United States as part of a new federal policy.
News outlets report on both the progress and difficulties states are facing as they attempt to establish health exchanges and meet other health law requirements. Meanwhile, Vermont is hoping to move beyond the federal law as it tries to set up a single-payer system.
Medicare, Health Overhaul Playing Key Role On The Campaign Trail
The Associated Press offers an issue breakdown regarding the health law positions taken by President Barack Obama and GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney while The Washington Post examines new studies that detail how Romney’s Medicare proposals might impact seniors.
GOP Lawmakers Investigate Aspects Of Health Law’s Implementation
House Republican lawmakers are questioning hiring practices at the Department of Health and Human Services as well as how the Internal Revenue Service will enforce provisions of the health law.
State Roundup: Mont. Settlement Money To Pay For Uninsured’s Prescription Drugs
A selection of health policy news from Montana, Massachusetts, Georgia, Minnesota, California and Arizona.
VP Candidate Ryan Levels Sharp Critique Of Obama Abortion Position
The GOP vice presidential pick made these comments while speaking to a conservative audience at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood was quick to hit back.
Health Law Complexities Create Challenges For Va. Senate Candidates
The Washington Post reports on how the challenges surrounding the implementation of the overhaul are leading Senate candidates in Virginia to some nuanced positions. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News tracked weekend news coverage of statement by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on why she thinks the GOP position on Medicare will help Democrats take back the House.
UnitedHealth To Become Part Of Dow Jones Industrial Average
The inclusion of the nation’s largest health insurer in the prestigious market index reflects the importance of health care spending on the economy.
Medicaid Primary Care Pay Raise ‘Coming Soon,’ According To CMS Official
Medpage Today reports that Centers for Medicaid & CHIP Services Director Cindy Mann said during a conference call last week that the rule is in the process of being finalized.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the nation.
Medicare Upcoding Could Be Adding To Health Care Costs
The Center for Public Integrity reports on a trend in which many physicians and other medical professionals are billing Medicare for complicated and costly care. Some say this pattern signals an increase in medical billing abuse while others maintain it reflects seniors’ need for more complex care.
Mass. Court Upholds Dismissal Of Lawsuits Challenging Medicaid Payments
The Massachusetts’ court upheld the dismissal of lawsuits brought by some hospitals alleging the state’s 2006 health law didn’t reimburse them enough for caring for Medicaid patients.
Mo. College Files Its Own Lawsuit Over Contraception Mandate
In the meantime, Texas and Virginia officials also consider the health law’s contraception rule as well as new abortion regulations.
First Edition: September 17, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a number of reports about how Medicare and other health policy issues are playing important roles on the campaign trail.
Democrats Confident That Medicare Issue Will Help Them Win In November
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said that Republican plans for Medicare will drive votes to Democratic candidates.
White House Details The Reach Of Automatic Spending Cuts
Among the reductions is a 2 percent hit on Medicare provider payments. KHN tracked the news coverage on the announcement.
Spending Measure Passes House With Ryan’s Support
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., returned to the chamber Thursday for the first time since he became the GOP vice presidential candidate, casting his vote for a measure that raised spending above the levels in his own budget. Republicans hailed him, while Democrats released a video highlighting his proposal to overhaul Medicare as a fixed subsidy program.
Medicare Policies Continue To Claim Campaign Trail Attention
The presidential and vice presidential candidates compare and contrast their plans, and some fact checkers set to work on sorting out what they are saying.
Research Roundup: Patients’ Experiences At Safety-Net Hospitals
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the Archives of Internal Medicine and other news outlets.
Most Californians Say They Couldn’t Pay For Nursing Home Care
A new survey of Californians finds that most residents say they couldn’t afford to pay for care in a nursing home for a family member.
