Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Law Complexities Create Challenges For Va. Senate Candidates
The Washington Post reports on how the challenges surrounding the implementation of the overhaul are leading Senate candidates in Virginia to some nuanced positions. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News tracked weekend news coverage of statement by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on why she thinks the GOP position on Medicare will help Democrats take back the House.
UnitedHealth To Become Part Of Dow Jones Industrial Average
The inclusion of the nation’s largest health insurer in the prestigious market index reflects the importance of health care spending on the economy.
Medicaid Primary Care Pay Raise ‘Coming Soon,’ According To CMS Official
Medpage Today reports that Centers for Medicaid & CHIP Services Director Cindy Mann said during a conference call last week that the rule is in the process of being finalized.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the nation.
Medicare Upcoding Could Be Adding To Health Care Costs
The Center for Public Integrity reports on a trend in which many physicians and other medical professionals are billing Medicare for complicated and costly care. Some say this pattern signals an increase in medical billing abuse while others maintain it reflects seniors’ need for more complex care.
Mass. Court Upholds Dismissal Of Lawsuits Challenging Medicaid Payments
The Massachusetts’ court upheld the dismissal of lawsuits brought by some hospitals alleging the state’s 2006 health law didn’t reimburse them enough for caring for Medicaid patients.
Mo. College Files Its Own Lawsuit Over Contraception Mandate
In the meantime, Texas and Virginia officials also consider the health law’s contraception rule as well as new abortion regulations.
First Edition: September 17, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a number of reports about how Medicare and other health policy issues are playing important roles on the campaign trail.
Democrats Confident That Medicare Issue Will Help Them Win In November
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said that Republican plans for Medicare will drive votes to Democratic candidates.
White House Details The Reach Of Automatic Spending Cuts
Among the reductions is a 2 percent hit on Medicare provider payments. KHN tracked the news coverage on the announcement.
Spending Measure Passes House With Ryan’s Support
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., returned to the chamber Thursday for the first time since he became the GOP vice presidential candidate, casting his vote for a measure that raised spending above the levels in his own budget. Republicans hailed him, while Democrats released a video highlighting his proposal to overhaul Medicare as a fixed subsidy program.
Medicare Policies Continue To Claim Campaign Trail Attention
The presidential and vice presidential candidates compare and contrast their plans, and some fact checkers set to work on sorting out what they are saying.
Research Roundup: Patients’ Experiences At Safety-Net Hospitals
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the Archives of Internal Medicine and other news outlets.
Most Californians Say They Couldn’t Pay For Nursing Home Care
A new survey of Californians finds that most residents say they couldn’t afford to pay for care in a nursing home for a family member.
Health Net Sued Over ‘Medically Unnecessary’ Coverage Denials
Some Californians are suing Health Net over the insurer’s refusal to cover some treatments after it deemed them medically unnecessary.
AHIP Offers Advice On Essential Benefits And Keeping Premium Costs Affordable
Meanwhile, Kansas officials are facing a ticking clock as they try to develop recommendations for what should make up the state’s essential benefits in individual and small group health insurance policies.
News outlets report that President Barack Obama fared well in several battleground states after the political conventions, posing a challenge for GOP nominee Mitt Romney.
State News: Calif. To Probe Hospital/Doctor Consolidations
News outlets report on a variety of health issues in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon and Virginia.
Why Are Health Care Costs Increasing At A Slower Rate?
The National Journal offers an analysis of the various forces that could be behind this trend.
NYC Board Of Health OKs Nation’s First Ban Of Oversized Sugary Drinks
The mayoral-appointed panel outlawed the sale of sugary drinks in sizes larger than 16 ounces nearly everywhere, except in grocery and convenience stores.
