Latest KFF Health News Stories
Female Voters Are Hot Commodity For Presidential Candidates
On the campaign trail, President Barack Obama continues his efforts to shore up support among women voters as GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney vies for working-class voters.
Outlets Analyze Health Spending, Sequestration Details
The Associated Press offers some of the specifics of which programs will feel the pinch of sequestration. CQ HealthBeat takes a look at the possible causes of the “deceleration in health spending.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of stories that reflect how health policy issues are playing on the campaign trail.
HCA Faces Scrutiny About Need For Some Cardiac Procedures
HCA Holdings Inc., the biggest for-profit U.S. hospital operator, told investors that federal prosecutors in Miami are probing the “medical necessity” of cardiology procedures performed at several of its hospitals in Florida. The company made an unusual statement defending its operations in anticipation of a New York Times article that appeared online late Monday.
No Medicare Drug Plan Cost Increases For Seniors In 2013
The Obama administration announced that costs for seniors’ Medicare Part D premiums will remain stable — marking the third year in a row with little or no change.
Presidential Candidates Use Tough Ads To Court Single Women Voters
The competition for these votes has led President Obama’s campaign ads to highlight GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s positions on issues such Planned Parenthood funding as well as other women’s health and contraception issues.
Medicaid Official Outlines State Flexibility In Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion
Politico Pro reports that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official Cindy Mann outlined Monday how states could choose to expand their coverage under the health law and then later drop it if they choose. This is the first time states will be allowed to drop such new coverage. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports on how employers might be impacted if states opt not to expand their Medicaid programs.
Medicaid News: Challenge To Fla. Managed Care Rule; N.Y. Wants Permission To Invest Savings
Florida is seeking to move seniors on Medicaid into a managed care program but one company questions part of the regulations on plans.
Employers Expect Health Costs To Go Up, Ready Compliance With Health Law
A new survey of employer health benefits by the National Business Group on Health has found businesses expect their health care costs to jump 7 percent next year as they comply with new parts of the federal health care reform law.
ER Overcrowding A Problem At Calif. Hospitals Serving Many Minorities
A new study says California hospitals in areas with large minority populations are disproportionately affected by overcrowding at ERs — often leading to ambulance diversion, delayed care and poorer health outcomes for patients.
Kansas Considers Disbanding Information Exchange Board; Minn. Rebates Lower Than Expected
The Kansas agency may dissolve and turn its authority over to the state to save money.
Roundup: Ky. Judge To Hear Christians-Only Health Insurer Case
A selection of health policy stories from Kentucky, Rhode Island, Connecticut, California, Minnesota and Massachusetts.
Mass. Governor Signs Health Care Cost-Containment Bill
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill Monday that lawmakers hope will rein in health care costs by tying health care cost growth to how fast the state economy grows. But, Moody’s said the law could hurt the state’s hospital credit ratings since the hospitals’ revenue growth would be hampered.
Safety-Net Hospitals Brace For Funding Changes, Adjustments
Meanwhile, a new Health Affairs study suggests these facilities may need to rethink their business models.
Viewpoints: Medicaid Is Key To Health Law Success; OPM Weighs Changes To FEHB
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Texas Doctors Oppose State Plans On Abortion
The physicians are objecting to a proposed rule for the Texas Women’s Health Program that prohibits them from discussing abortion with patients. Meanwhile, the governor, who says he opposes an expansion of Medicaid, also says he will use such an expansion to justify his cut off of funds to Planned Parenthood.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that HCA, the largest for-profit hospital chain in the U.S., is facing scrutiny about the medical necessity of some of the cardiac procedures done at some of its facilities.
Health Exchanges: Feds Face ‘Herculean Task’ In Many States
The New York Times reports that Obama administration officials are getting ready to set up and operate health insurance marketplaces in about half the states. Meanwhile, Stateline details how safety net hospitals face new financial worries as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the health law’s Medicaid expansion.
GOP Seeks Legislative Means To Insist That Individual Mandate Is Not A ‘Tax’
House GOP lawmakers introduced a bill Thursday in an attempt to get around the high court’s recent ruling that the health law is constitutional because its requirement that most Americans buy health insurance or pay a penalty falls within Congress’ taxing authority. The proposed legislation says the mandate “shall not be construed as a tax.”
State Roundup: Other States Watching Mass. Effort To Cut Costs
A selection of health policy stories from California, Iowa, Florida, Oregon, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Texas.
