Latest KFF Health News Stories
Appeals Court Set To Hear Arguments Tuesday In Health Law Challenge
Arguments in the two cases, which are the first two challenges to the Obama administration’s health overhaul to advance from the federal to appellate level, mark the beginning in what some say is a race to the Supreme Court.
Viewpoints: Dems’ Medicare Strategy; Health Disparities; Chicago Hospital Dispute
A selection of analyses, opinions and editorials from around the country.
State Roundup: Concerns About State Employee Retirement Boom
News outlets across the country report on developments in health policy.
Massachusetts Patients Face Long Wait Times For Doctor Appointments
A survey conducted by the Massachusetts Medical Society found patients can wait as a long as a month and a half for non-urgent physicians’ appointments.
House Panel Set To Mark Up Medical Malpractice Legislation This Week
Meanwhile, in Oregon, GOP lawmakers may be stepping back from their tort reform push.
Military Health Costs Continue To Climb
With lawmakers’ attention on fiscal concerns and efforts to trim health programs, the AP reports that TRICARE also could face some changes.
Calif. Health Exchange Effort Slows; Sebelius: Health Law Is State Friendly
News outlets report on efforts in some states to meet provisions of the new health law.
Will The GOP Now Set Its Sights On Medicaid?
The Hill reports that as efforts to revamp Medicare have become embroiled in politics, some advocacy organizations are warning that the Medicaid program may now top the GOP’s list as a possible source for health care spending cuts.
Minn. House Approves Abortion Restrictions
Action is part of growing efforts by states to curb the procedures.
RWJF Offers Health Law Implementation Assistance To States
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will offer states assistance in implementing elements of the health law that involve expanding access to the uninsured.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the politics — and possible direction — of Medicare and other entitlement programs within the coninuing budget debate.
Administration’s Top Lawyer To Argue For Health Law At Appeals Court Hearing
The Hill reports that the acting solicitor general, who generally takes only cases at the Supreme Court, will make the government’s arguments Tuesday in Richmond when an appellate panel hears Virginia’s suit against the law.
GOP Medicare Proposal Keeps Roiling Washington Politics
Republicans struggle with their message; Democrats are turning to Senate leaders to offer an alternative.
Pawlenty’s Health-Care Claims During Debate Get Mixed Ratings
Two fact-checking news websites looked into statements that former Minn. governor Tim Pawlenty made at Thursday night’s GOP presidential candidate debate.
Retirees Face Big Challenges On Health Costs
A survey finds most retirees are “clueless” about the extent of their health costs and Mass. and San Diego municipal retirees face cuts in their benefits.
Florida, Vermont, Hawaii, Maine Make Sweeping Health Care Changes
Florida is overhauling its Medicaid program, Vermont passed a modified “single payer” bill, Hawaii is trying a “medical home” model and the Maine legislature has a new approach to insurance sales in the state.
U.N. Officials Recognize International Day Of The Midwife
U.N. officials, recognizing the International Day of the Midwife on Thursday, lauded the efforts of midwives worldwide and “called for greater investment to ensure their life-saving services are available to all who need them around the world,” the U.N. News Centre reports.
GOP Medicare Message Becomes Mixed In Midst Of Budget Talks
With the debt-ceiling deadline looming and other divisive budget issues on the table, some Republican lawmakers appeared to back away from their plan to “voucherize” Medicare.
Ryan Says Politics Will Prevent ‘Grand Slam’ Debt-Reduction Agreement
Examples of how the politics of Medicare have picked up momentum in opposition to the proposed changes advanced by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., can be seen in a range of developments – including a letter from Democratic lawmakers to President Barack Obama, comments from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and even a tightening special election for a New York congressional seat.
