Latest KFF Health News Stories
Documentary Film Provides Glimpse Into The World Of Public Hospitals
The NewsHour reports that a new documentary provides a “fly-on-th-wall look” at the inside of a public hospital.
Postal Service Expects To Miss Health Benefits Payment
The annual $5.5 billion payment, due Aug. 1, is to a health benefits fund for future retirees. The Postal Service is warning that it will defaut without congressional action.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
A selection of health policy stories from Minnesota, Florida, Oregon, California, Massachusetts and Georgia.
Longer Looks: Physicians And Assisted Suicide; Avoid Getting Sick In July
This week’s articles come from ABC News, The Daily Beast, The Atlantic, The New York Times and Salon.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of stories exploring public opinions about the health law, the upcoming election and the Supreme Court.
House GOP Advances Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill That Blocks Health Law Funding
The proposed spending bill includes language preventing the use of federal dollars to “implement, administer or further” the Affordable Care Act. A number of other programs and agencies – including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – are targeted for termination.
States Opting-Out Of Medicaid Expansion Likely To See Downside
After several state officials announced their intention to reject the expansion — and the federal funds that come with it — news outlets report on the possible implications, including costs to county taxpayers, businesses and people who would go without health benefits.
U.S. Faces Problems Tracking Cadaver Tissue Donation
NPR reports that a dearth of regulation makes it difficult to track medical products used from cadavers.
Though Seemingly Beneficial, Large ACO Groups That Influence Doctor Decisions Could Prove Risky
Though aimed at decreasing costs and improving care, critics are worried that accountable care organizations could backfire, HealthyCal reports.
48 People Charged In Black Market Medicaid Drug Scheme
New York authorities say those charged sold more than $100 million of HIV medications and other drugs obtained from Medicaid patients.
Paying Providers More In Some Parts Of Country Won’t Solve Access Issues
In a new report, the Institute of Medicine concludes that raising Medicare reimbursements for some areas of the country will not necessarily address the physician shortage.
Seasonal Firefighters Now Eligible For Federal Health Coverage
Seasonal firefighters — many working on containing wildfires in the West — became eligible for federal health insurance coverage Tuesday after President Obama issued an executive order last week.
Opponents See Possible Avenues To Send Health Law Back To Court
But in related news, a federal judge in Nebraska rejected a suit filed by seven states to block the measure’s contraception coverage mandate, saying the states did not have standing to file it because they failed to prove they would suffer “immediate harm.”
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Escalating Miss. Abortion Fight Could Be Blueprint For Similar Challenges
State health officials inspect Mississippi’s only abortion clinic — the first step towards shutting it down– while a judge considers whether to let the law stand. Meanwhile, anti-abortion activists hone in on other states with single abortion providers to see if they can use similar approaches to shut them down, Politico Pro reports.
Obama Calls Health Law Mandate A ‘Principle;’ Other Campaign News
In an interview, the president seeks to find a way around the issue of whether the mandate is a tax or a penalty. Meanwhile, USA Today finds that individuals and companies with ties to the nutritional and dietary supplement industry have given $4.5 million to the GOP candidate.
Even If State Economies Recover, Health And Medicaid Costs Will Be A Burden
Rising health care and Medicaid costs coupled with flat revenue are parts of a bevy of economic problems states face in the coming years even if the economy recovers, according to a new report from the State Budget Crisis Task Force — led in part by a former Federal Reserve chairman.
State Officials Stake Out Positions On Implementing Health Law
Virginia’s Republican attorney general, the first to file suit against the health law, wants his state to opt out of expanding Medicaid, while Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell, a Republican, signals his state will pass on setting up a state-based health exchange. In Kentucky, Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat, issues an executive order to authorize such an exchange.
State Roundup: Ore. Issues New Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Rules
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Florida, California and Massachusetts.
