Latest KFF Health News Stories
Conn. Gov.’s Orders On Home And Child Care Workers Raise Concerns
Gov. Dannel Malloy established a way for home care and child care workers to unionize. Meanwhile, in California, a legislative committee looked at the financial burden of long-term care.
Ga., Texas Expand Mental Health Services; Some Say More Is Needed
Georgia has opened new facilities for the mentally ill under an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department. Meanwhile, Texas increased mental health spending by 4.3 percent in the past 3 years, but critics say that spending is not keeping pace with the growing uninsured population.
Super Committee Stalled As Nov. 23 Deadline Approaches
The panel’s top Republican said Thursday the main obstacle to a deal is Democratic insistence that tax increases be coupled with reforming health care programs.
State News: Mass. Words To Contain Costs; Ore. Boosts Coordinated Care
A selection of stories about health care from Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas, Florida, Oregon, California, Minnesota and Kansas.
Senate Republicans Question Role Of $10 Billion Innovation Center
Three GOP Senators have asked the Government Accountability Office to examine the effectiveness of this center, which was created by the health law, and to determine whether it is duplicating work that was already the responsibility of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
Health Law Alphabet Soup: ACOs, MLR And Other Implementation News
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the application for its shared savings program, and Health News Florida reports which of that state’s providers will likely throw their hats into the ring. Meanwhile, CQ HealthBeat reports that the medical-loss ratio rule is undergoing its final Office of Management and Budget review. Also, the Obama administration is defending how the health law changes Medicare.
Research Roundup: Cutting Specialty Care By Raising Co-Payments;
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, The New England Journal of Medicine, Health Services Research, the Government Accountablity Office, The Kaiser Family Foundation, The Urban Institute, and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Supreme Court Quiet About Health Law Appeals
Although the justices met Thursday behind closed doors, no word emerged about whether the high court will hear appeals over the health law. But a decision about these cases could come Monday.
Including Evangelical Christians In U.S. Foreign Aid Discussion
“Washington is in an era of budget-cutting, so we frequently hear calls to shrink or eliminate U.S. foreign-assistance programs,” which is why “several religious groups … are highlighting how these programs reduce global poverty and hunger, saving millions of lives,” Richard Stearns, president of World Vision USA, writes in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. However, he says “evangelical Christians [are] largely absent from this religious coalition” and notes that “a Pew survey earlier this year found that 56 percent of evangelicals think ‘aid to the world’s poor’ should be the first thing cut from the federal budget.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the challenges the super committee continues to confront its deadline approaces, as well as news about the Supreme Court’s announcement on whether it will hear health law appeals.
Deficit Panel At Impasse Despite Offers
The Democrats outlined a new “tax trigger” and news outlets report that the two sides have largely agreed to a broad outline of spending reductions, including to Medicare and other domestic programs.
Next Chapter In Health Law Legal Challenges Could Be Decided Thursday
Meanwhile, some conservative activists are renewing their calls for Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan to step aside in regard to cases that involve the health law. And, a judge makes a case for delaying a final decision until after 2014 in a dissenting opinion regarding the DC Circuit Court’s ruling.
Romney Praised For Debate Showing; Obama Takes On GOP Goals
Debate analysis, fact-checking about Medicare specifics and questions about other health policy positions all had a place in today’s news coverage from the campaign trail.
NAMI Report: States Cut Mental Health Budgets Just As Demand Goes Up
A report released today found that 28 states and the District of Columbia have reduced mental health funding by nearly $1.7 billion since fiscal year 2009.
Parties Fight Over The Impact Of Ohio Election Results
Democrats point to the support given for allowing public sector workers to negotiate while Republicans highlight the disapproval from voters of a keystone of the federal health law.
State Roundup: Storms’ Impact On Health Care; Calif. Election Results
A selection of health care stories from various states around the country.
