Latest KFF Health News Stories
Two Leading Health Systems Announce Plan To Merge
Trinity Health and Catholic Health East plan to consolidate operations. Together, the two systems will span 21 states and include more than 70 hospitals.
Health Law: Pa. Says Exchange Unlikely To Be Ready In Jan. 2014
In health law implementation news, Pennsylvania’s insurance commissioner says a health insurance exchange likely won’t be ready to rollout in January 2014, when the law says it should be ready. In Mississippi, leaders there are turning down the law’s Medicaid expansion and the dollars that come with it.
House And Senate Races Turning On Health, Abortion Issues
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is focusing on Medicare and women’s health issues in new TV ads, as Missouri Rep. Todd Akin strengthens his ties to evangelicals.
State Roundup: Ore. Lawmakers Petition For Separate Dental Care
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Colorado, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Kentucky and California.
Okla. Lawsuit: First Test Of Legal Arguments Against Insurance Exchanges
Some of the lawsuit’s backers maintain that last summer’s Supreme Court health law decision would not be the “law’s last trip” to the high court.
Lack of ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Talk Indicates Issue Is Frozen Until After Election
The fact that House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and President Barack Obama have not discussed looming automatic spending cuts leads this roundup of Capitol Hill news.
Longer Looks: Nobel For Economist Behind The Nat’l Resident Matching Program
This week’s articles come from The New Republic, Health Affairs, The New York Times, Wired Magazine and The Atlantic.
First Edition: October 18, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organiztions, including resports about how the presidential candidates are crafting messages on women’s health issues in order to appeal to female voters.
In Face-Off, Obama And Romney Rumble Over A Range Of Issues
News outlets examine how each candidate fared in Tuesday night’s town-hall style debate. In general, many media sources note how little discussion surrounded issues related to Medicare and the health law.
Planned Parenthood Funding, Women’s Health Issues Create Debate Flashpoints
President Barack Obama pivoted from a question about women in the workplace to criticize GOP candidate Mitt Romney for his positions on contraceptive coverage, funding for Planned Parenthood, and abortion.
Hill Staffers Predict Deal To Prevent Cuts To Medicare Physician Payments
At an event Tuesday, staffers from both sides of the aisle predicted that a “doc fix” agreement would be reached to prevent large scheduled cuts from kicking in. Meanwhile, the American Medical Association and its affiliates set out a list of principles in a letter to Senate Finance Committee members to help guide the development of an alternative to the current Medicare physician payment formula.
Health Law Regs Moving Slowly In Advance Of Election
CQ HealthBeat reports that the Office of Management and Budget has no updates on its website for at least a half-dozen pending regulations related to insurance exchanges and essential benefits.
Social Security Payments To Rise But Medicare Premiums May Offset Boost
The average senior will get about $21 more per month, but federal officials note that some of that will be needed to cover the increase in Medicare premiums, which will be announced soon.
Federal Agents Raid Drug Compounding Center
Food and Drug Administration investigators probe the Massachusetts pharmacy linked to a meningitis outbreak that has killed 16.
News outlets report on the growing need for long-term care and offer insights into the home care workforce.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Calif. Official: State Could Dump Health Plan For Kids And Maintain Quality Care
California’s top health official said Tuesday that she thinks the state can end a health care program for low-income children without disrupting their care. In the meantime, officials in Illinois and Oregon also consider how to change their Medicaid programs to control health care costs — and their bottom lines.
State Roundup: Mass. Launches Information Exchange
A selection of health policy news from Massachusetts, Georgia, California, Texas, Florida and Wisconsin.
How Health Care Is Playing Up And Down The Ballot
The Medicare question is echoing from the top of the ticket into the Florida Senate race between Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson and challenger Connie Mack.
Swing State Highlights: Medicare Key In Congressional Campaign Ads, Debates
KHN’s Sarah Barr samples campaign news coverage each week from swing states around the country to see how health policy developments, and other political issues, are playing.
