Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Wonder Just How Big An Impact Health Law Dollars Will Have
An analysis in Minnesota expects the state to receive only about $42 million in increased state revenue between fiscal years 2010 and 2015 from the health law. Meanwhile, budget cuts — even with the increase in coverage from the health law — have some Pennsylvanians worried that the mental health coverage gap could persist.
Ariz., Mo. Officials Grapple With How To Tackle Abortion Restrictions, Coverage
In Arizona, local officials are split on whether to enforce a new law restricting abortion, while Missouri lawmakers prepare for a veto override vote on allowing employers there to exclude abortion and contraception from health insurance they offer.
Moody’s: Nonprofit Hospitals Continue To Face Economic, Budget Challenges
According to Moody’s Investors Service, there were more downgrades than upgrades among nonprofit hospitals, an indicator driven by the slow economic recovery, growing stress on state budgets and the mounting federal deficit.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news from the campaign season as well as reports from the international AIDS conference currently taking place in Washington, D.C.
CBO’s Updated Health Law Cost Estimates Could Be Released This Week
Meanwhile, news outlets report on varying aspects of the implementation of state-based health exchanges — including the assistance provided to state officials by Michael O. Leavitt, an adviser to GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and head of a health care consulting company.
Working Poor At Heart Of Medicaid Debate As Govs Draw Line In The Sand
Even as state executives such as Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Florida Gov. Rick Scott remain firm in their opposition to the health law’s Medicaid expansion, health providers such as Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tony Cosgrove express their support for it.
AIDS Conference Opens In D.C. With Snapshot Of The Disease In America
News outlets examine where HIV/AIDS stands in America, what’s being done to combat it, and where the future will lead.
Why It’s Hard For Medicine To Fix Its Mistakes
ProPublica offers an examination of the challenges hospitals face in adopting procedures to address medical errors.
Health Law’s Under-26 Provision Applies To Same Sex Partners’ Children
On Friday, adminstration officials published a proposed rule to this effect. Meanwhile, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., is questioning the Obama administration’s decision to allow temporary firefighters to gain access to health insurance through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.
Third-Party Groups To Target Health Law With New Wave Of Attack Ads
Also in the news, the Supreme Court — especially after the recent health law decision — is an effective tool to rally fundraising among both Democrats and Republicans. Meanwhile, a defense policy expert suggests presidential candidates focus on long-term military mental health issues. Finally, The Wall Street Journal examines how health care is playing in the Montana Senate race, where candidates are sparring over who is soft on cancer.
New Health Professionals Emerge Within The Marketplace
This pair of stories from Kaiser Health News reports on new kinds of health professionals and the roles they have within the health care continuum.
Views On AIDS: Despite Advances, Still No Cure, No Vaccine, And Indifference Grows
Several outlets offer opinions on the campaign against the virus causing AIDS, as an international conference opens in Washington.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Rep. Burgess Offers Bill To Extend Current Medicare Doc Pay Rates Another Year
The measure on Medicare reimbursements to physicians would put off a dramatic rate cut scheduled to take effect next year.
Medicaid Highlights: Calif. Medi-Cal Payments Could Be Hurting Patient Access
Shortcomings are examined in programs in California, where low reimbursements are discouraging doctors, and Kansas, where there’s a large waiting list for developmentally disabled care.
State Roundup: Plan For New Md. Hospital Advances
A selection of health policy stories from Maryland, Texas, California, North Carolina, Oregon, Arizona and Massachusetts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the international AIDS conference taking place this week in Washington, D.C.
As AIDS Conference Opens, Health Panel Urges Treatment Of All HIV Infections
International health group says new evidence shows even low levels of virus, if untreated, can lead to a variety of health problems.
In Florida, Obama Attacks Romney On Medicare Plan
Drawing on traditional Democratic campaign themes, President Barack Obama criticized GOP plans to transform Medicare into a “voucher program” and to repeal the 2010 health law.
HHS Issues Final Rule On Essential Health Benefits Data Collection
Meanwhile, new research from the Center for Studying Health System Change indicates that more small businesses may be self-insuring — a step that will reduce their participation in the health law’s insurance exchanges.
