Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Trying Managed Care For ‘Dual Eligibles’ – Medicare/Medicaid Recipients
People who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid – many of whom are elderly and in nursing homes – need lots of often-expensive care.
The New York Times looks at the wide variations in essential health benefits defined by states, while The Associated Press reports that Darden Restaurants, which owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster, has decided not to try to avoid health law requirements and will not switch full-time employees to part-time status.
State Roundup: Fla. Judge Rules Legislature Must Decide On Prison Care Privatization
A selection of health policy stories from Florida, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Texas and Oregon.
Longer Looks: The Frustrations Of Academic Medicine
This week’s articles come from The New York Times, Health Affairs, American Medical News, Men’s Journal, The Oregonian, The World, The New Republic and The Weekly Standard.
First Edition: December 6, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report that some in the GOP are urging lawmakers to support the idea of trading tax breaks for changes in safety-net programs.
KHN Stylebook: Who Will Be Eligible For Medicaid Coverage?
We’re changing how we describe who’s eligible for the Medicaid expansion under the health law.
Health Care Programs A Clear Target In Deficit Reduction Efforts
As negotiators debate proposals to trim entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, stakeholders ranging from public hospitals to physician groups lobby to protect their interests.
Overlap In Competing Budget Proposals Points Way To Deal
The Associated Press reports the White House and House Republicans have identified areas of significant overlap that could form the basis for an agreement after posturing gives way to actual bargaining.
Studies Gauge Health Law’s Impact On Consumer Savings, Rx Drug Coverage
The Commonwealth Fund concluded that consumers saved $1.5 billion in 2011 as a result of a provision that limits how much insurers can spend on expenses not related to medical care. Meanwhile, Avalere Health found that drug coverage plans offered on health exchanges will vary by state.
UnitedHealth Report Examines How Doctors Get Paid
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the report – due out today – analyzes the savings as well as likely pitfalls to adopting a number of different methods to move away from the current “fee-for-service” approach.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Hospitals’ Medicare Claims Lawsuit
Politico reports on the case brought by 18 hospitals seeking compensation for claims dating back to 1987.
Poorer Cancer Patients Less Likely To Have Access To Experimental Drug Trials
Reuters reports on the findings from a new study from the United Kingdom.
Health Stocks Embraced Amid Market Uncertainty
The Wall Street Journal reports that following President Barack Obama’s re-election, health stocks are viewed as a port in the storm. Other news outlets explore how the markets have remained stable during the ‘fiscal cliff’ negotiations as investors count on an eleventh-hour deal.
Few New Doctors Choose Primary Care
Less than a quarter of new doctors are choosing primary care as their specialty, even after finishing residency programs focused on internal medicine, a new study reports.
Government Announces Fraud Collections Hit Record $5 Billion
A large portion of the money came from health care probes.
States Continue Sorting Out Choices About Health Exchanges, Medicaid Expansion
Kansas, South Dakota and Texas are among the states still making decisions — or reconsidering old ones — about the health law’s insurance exchanges and the Medicaid expansion.
Olive Garden’s Parent Company Lowers Earnings Estimate After Health Law Comments
Restaurant officials say that earlier statements about the costly effects of the health overhaul have contributed to a reduction in revenues.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Florida Health Law Battles Take New Turn
A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina and Oregon.
First Edition: December 5, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest on the looming fiscal crisis as well as market developments and health policy news from the states.
