Latest KFF Health News Stories
GAO: States Vary In How They Document Long-Term Care Eligibility
According to the Government Accountability Office, as of 2011, no state had adopted an electronic asset verification system, Modern Healthcare reports.
Consumers, Employers Reconsider Insurance Costs
Individuals and businesses are weighing the pros and cons of buying health coverage as a result of the advent of high-deductible policies, as well as the provisions of the health law set to take effect in 2014.
Viewpoints: Adding A Middle Man To Medicare; Circumcision Wars; Who Is An Extremist On Abortion?
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Exchange Planning Takes Hold In States — Each With Different Flavor
Vermont, the District of Columbia and Connecticut are among those planning health law-mandated marketplaces where consumers and small businesses can buy insurance — each with its own twist.
News outlets report on health policy news in California, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Ohio, and Texas.
First Edition: August 28, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about new polling insights regarding the presidential campaign and Medicare, as well as what might become of the House of Representatives.
Poll: Economy Trumps Medicare, Women’s Health Issues
As delegates to the Republican National Convention gather in Tampa, a new poll finds GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama neck-and-neck. Romney will use the week to introduce himself to American voters, but news outlets warn against expecting much substantive policy to emerge from the speeches.
Obama, Romney Trade More Medicare Barbs
President Barack Obama went on the Medicare attack, using his weekly address to challenge Republican charges that he cut Medicare. Obama also launched a new ad saying that the Romney-Ryan ticket would end Medicare as it exists today. But the Romney campaign has Medicare messages of its own.
Official Predicts Consequences For Ala. Medicaid If Voters Don’t OK Emergency Funds
The Associated Press reports that the official running Alabama’s Medicaid program finances says if voters there don’t approve funding the program with more than $437 million from the state’s trust fund, the resulting large cuts could jeopardize medical care for the poor.
HHS Makes Official A One-Year Delay For ICD-10
Physicians will now not have to use this new set of diagnostic codes until Oct. 1, 2014.
Abortion Issues Emerge As Distraction For Republicans
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney charges Democrats with trying to exploit comments made by Missouri Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin for political gain.
Views On Abortion Debate: Akin’s Defiance Hurts Romney; Sen. Snowe On Mending The GOP’s Image
As Republicans assemble for their convention, Rep. Todd Akin’s comments about rape and abortion are still reverberating.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Views On Medicare: Rep. Kathy Hochul’s Campaign; Ryan’s Vision; Wyden’s Role
Opinion writers focus on the presidential campaign’s Medicare debate.
Mergers, Acquisitions And New Affiliations Change Roles For Insurers, Providers
News outlets report on changes in the health care marketplace.
Public Fear Of Medical Data Theft Slows Acceptance Of Electronic Health Records
A Harris Interactive survey has found that 63 percent of Americans fear their health data will be stolen — slowing public acceptance of electronic health records.
American Academy Of Pediatrics Says Circumcision Benefits Outweigh Risks
Shifting its stance, the pediatricians’ group now says the benefits of circumcising boys to protect against disease outweighs the risk, but that the decision should be up to parents.
The Links Among Paul Ryan’s Policies, Politics And Personality
The Washington Post examines the vision of Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the likely GOP vice presidential nominee.
Romney Points To Mass. Law To Defend Positions On Women’s Health Issues
On the eve of the Republican convention, GOP presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney embraced the health law he signed while governor of Massachusetts as evidence that he would protect women’s access to health care.
States Consider Names, Logistics For Health Insurance Exchanges
California officials ponder how to brand the new marketplaces to create consumer buzz, while Connecticut officials move ahead with plans to launch next year.
