Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of a new report that offers a gloomy fiscal forecast for states as they confront rising health care costs, underfunded pensions and a range of other economic challenges.
Health Law Critics Sharpen Fight Focus On Insurance Tax Credit
According to news reports, critics have pinpointed this part of the health law in their effort to undo the sweeping overhaul. Meanwhile, USA Today reports that very few middle-income taxpayers will pay more as a result of the measure’s taxes, fees and penalties.
Drug Coverage Issues, Dual Eligibles Program Draw Democrats’ Interest
According to these stories from Politico and Politico Pro, some House Democrats are calling on the Department Of Health and Human Services to use the Medicare prescription drug program as a model for the health law’s essential health benefits drug coverage requirement. Also, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., is joining the chorus of voices concerned about a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services demonstration program for dual eligibles — they say it’s a classic example of the right idea but the wrong execution.
Medicaid Expansion Unsettles Governors’ Meeting
Governors express sharp disagreements about whether to expand Medicaid, as mandated by the health law. Meanwhile, a pediatric expert warns congressional staff that state efforts to roll back Medicaid eligibility could cut coverage to millions of poor children.
State Roundup: Mass. To Allow Coupons For Some Branded Drugs
A selection of health policy stories from Maryland, Massachusetts, Kansas, Washington state, California, Minnesota, New Jersey and Wisconsin.
Study: Medicare Payment Adjustments Could Take Toll On Safety Net Hospitals
A change in Medicare hospital payments, which is based on quality and scheduled to kick in this October, could add to the financial problems faced by facilities that treat largely the poor and uninsured.
Grassley: FDA Officials OK’d Surveillance On Groups Of Doctors Wary Of Medical Device Safety
The Washington Post reports on the lastest development regarding actions by high-ranking Food and Drug Administration officials to track the communications of employees who expressed concern about this safety issue.
Obama Defends Health Law In Ohio Town Hall Meeting
President Obama says he doesn’t mind the “Obamacare” label and is chastising Republican Mitt Romney for not championing the Massachusetts health overhaul.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Truvada Gains FDA Approval As HIV Preventive
The daily pill is the first aimed at reducing the risk of contracting HIV in healthy people who are at high risk of contracting AIDS. It will have a boxed warning that it should be used only by people whose HIV-negative status is confirmed prior to prescription and at least every three months after.
Va. AG Cuccinelli Clashes With State Board Of Health Over Abortion Clinic Regulations
The attorney general maintains that the board went beyond its authority by removing a provision from the regulations that would have required existing clinics to meet new hospital construction standards. Also in Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell appointed an anti-abortion physician to the board of health. Meanwhile, in other state news, Planned Parenthood has filed suit against Arizona.
