Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
GOP Counteroffer Would Raise Medicare’s Eligibility Age To 67
The Republican marker, which was almost immediately rebuffed by the White House, includes cuts to federal safety net programs, but does not meet the president’s “test of balance” because it rejects tax increases for the wealthy.
Trouble Spot In Fiscal Talks: The Down Payment
Although there appears to be general agreement about the scope of tax code and entitlement changes that would begin next year and tally more than $1 trillion over 10 years, the initial installment of deficit reduction has become a sticking point between the White House and GOP leaders. Meanwhile, the Washington Post checks the facts on entitlement “spending cuts.”
Viewpoints: David Brooks’ Formula To Avoid Cliff; Krugman Says Control Costs, Don’t Cut Coverage
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Lawmakers Consider Health Coverage For Illegal Immigrants’ Children
Members of Congress spotlight the health risks associated with bed rails and demand that federal health care programs cover the children of illegal immigrants who are able to stay in the U.S. under the administration’s deferred-action immigration policy.
Tennessee Nursing-Care Company Charged With Medicare Fraud
The Wall Street Journal reports that the company “systematically defrauded” Medicare of millions, according to an unsealed federal complaint.
Software To Curb Hospital Readmissions?
The Wall Street Journal reports on how transaction analytics software is being used by UMass Memorial to reduce patient readmissions.
Appeals Court Reverses Conviction Of Drug Sales Rep Who Talked About Off-Label Uses
The federal judges said the conviction violates the salesman’s right to free speech. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration announced it is partnering with industry and others to find a better way to evaluate medical devices.
Stakeholders Focus On Addressing Medicare Physician Payment Issues
Stakeholders worry that, although a “doc fix” is likely to be included in a broad deficit-reduction deal, steps also need to be taken immediately to prevent scheduled Medicare physician payment cuts from kicking in.
HHS: Health Law Changes To Medicare Drug Program Saved Seniors $5B
The administration announces that almost 2.8 million people have saved an average $677, because the law is closing the prescription drug doughnut hole.
Health Plans Welcome Some HHS Health Law Regs, Gear Up For Changes
Insurers are preparing for new approaches to selling plans directly to consumers and how some state exchanges will operate. They are also girding for additional guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services that could help stabilize the insurance market.
Study: Hospices And The Enrollment Of High-Cost Patients
Many hospices may be discouraging enrollment for the highest cost treatments, and Medicare’s way of paying them may be part of the problem, a new study finds.
