Latest KFF Health News Stories
An In-Depth Look At How A Medicaid Block Grant Would Work
Kansas Health Institute News published a package of stories detailing how a Medicaid block grant concept works, the pros and cons of this approach, and the history of such proposals.
Roundup: Mass. Officials Wrestle With Municipal Health Care Issues
Today’s news includes reports from Massachusetts, Vermont, Georgia, Florida, Connecticut, Texas, California, Minnesota and Maryland.
New Rule Could Impact Medicaid Provider Payment Cuts
The measure is likely to trigger “stiff resistance” from governors and some members of Congress who fear it will undermine the ability of states to control Medicaid spending.
ACO Rule Draws Tough Questions, Highlights System’s Shortcomings
CQ HealthBeat reports that federal officials are considering the public criticism and comments they are receiving in response to the proposed rule issued regarding the health law’s accountable care organizations. One expert, for instance, tells Politico Pro that data collection challenges could impede the formation of ACOs.
The early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on the GOP’s ongoing efforts to defund the health law as well as the impact a new rule might have on Medicaid provider payments.
Smoking-Related Illnesses Could Kill Up To 1B People This Century, U.N. Official Says
As many as one billion people could die of smoking-related illnesses this century if efforts to curb the practice are not implemented, a senior U.N. health official warned on Friday, the U.N. News Centre reports.
More HIV Infections Linked To Injection Drug Use In East Africa, Report Finds
A growing number of HIV infections in East Africa are linked to injection drug use (IDU), according to a new report (.pdf) from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, VOA News reports (DeCapua, 4/29).
Congress Returns To Work On The Budget; Medicare Will Be Key
All sides of the budget issue are preparing for a long fight. Among the key players is the so-called “Gang of Six,” which is honing its deficit reduction plan.
Sparks Continue To Fly Around GOP Medicare Plan
News outlets offer varying takes on how voters and fellow Republicans are reacting to the GOP plan to transform Medicare.
WFP To Begin Emergency Food Campaign In North Korea
The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) on Friday said it would begin providing emergency food aid to 3.5 million people in North Korea, Reuters reports (Mackenzie, 4/29).
Viewpoints: Ryan Plan Politics; Senior Care; Health Care Consumerism
A selection of editorials, analyses and opinions from around the country.
Appeals Court Greenlights Stem-Cell Research
The court handed the Obama administration a victory by ruling that federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research can go forward.
Medicare Unveils Rules For Hospital Quality Bonuses
The shift in payment strategy will reward hospitals for the quality, rather than the quantity, of care they provide. The change was set in motion by the health law.
Romney Discusses His State’s Overhaul At Republican Event
Speaking at a “tea party” forum on Friday evening, former governor Mitt Romney, now a GOP presidential hopeful, offered “tepid” defenses of his state’s health law and said that the Mass. overhaul was an “experiment” and some parts of it “didn’t work.”
CMS: States To Analyze Medicaid Provider Payments, Access Issues
A rule issued Friday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may keep the Supreme Court from hearing a case about state Medicaid payments.
GOP Lawmakers Draw Comparisons Between Medicare Plan, FEHBP
But examinations and fact checks question the claim.
State Roundup: Assisted Living Hazards In Fla.; Ariz.’s Medicaid Limits
News outlets across the country report on developments in health policy.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the part Medicare and Medicaid will play in the budget debate, which will pick up steam as Congress returns to Washington, D.C., after its spring recess.
GOP Link Of Medicare Plan To FEHBP Faulted; ‘Premium Support’ Once Had Bipartisan Support
Washington Post looks at the genesis of the voucher-like program Rep. Paul Ryan has proposed for Medicare and Republican defense of the plan while other news outlets explore how it is paying across the country.
