Latest KFF Health News Stories
Politics Play Into State Implementation Issues
The AP reports that some GOP governors are flexing their political muscle to undermine the health law. Meanwhile, a Democratic governor is considering using her veto power on a bill passed by the state legislature that challenges the federal law.
‘RomneyCare’ Continues To Create Political Sparks
As one former GOP governor softens his criticism, Massachusetts’ current Democratic governor chimes in with kudos for the state health overhaul that Romney oversaw when he was that state’s chief executive.
First Edition: February 28, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the budget struggles the nation’s governors continue to face — with Medicaid spending a central issue.
Governors Want Flexibility From Federal Officials On Health Issues
Growing Medicaid costs and the federal health law are among the items being discussed at governors’ winter meeting.
Temporary Budget Compromise Would Not Defund Health Law
In the ongoing saga of whether Congress and the president will avert a government shutdown, the potential solution does not include GOP language taking away funds for health law implementation or Planned Parenthood.
Progressive Groups Offer Support For Maintaining Medicaid Requirements
Battle lines are emerging regarding state budget issues and federal Medicaid rules in advance of this weekend’s National Governors Association meeting and a House Committee hearing next week.
U.S. Food Prices Could Rise Up To 4%, USDA Says
U.S. food prices will “rise as much as 4% this year, more than the 2% to 3% estimated last month, after a surge in prices for farm goods, the U.S. Department of Agriculture” forecast Thursday during the agency’s outlook conference in Washington, Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times reports (2/24).
Investing In Adolescents Can Help Reduce Poverty, Improve Health, UNICEF Report Says
Additional investment in the world’s 1.2 billion adolescents
HHS Offers New Grants To Help States With Insurance Rate Reviews
These grants are designed to assist states in creating or enhancing their reviews of the premiums charged by health insurance companies.
New York Panel Approves Plan To Cut Health Spending
The panel’s compromise includes an annual spending cap and across-the-board Medicaid provider cuts. Meanwhile, other states also struggle with the rising cost of Medicaid and its impact on their budgets.
This week’s studies come from the Archives of Surgery, the Annals of Internal Medicine, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
A selection of editorials, including from the Detroit Free Press, the New England Journal of Medicine, The Wall Street Journal and the Seattle Times.
Other states in the news today include Illinois, Texas and Massachusetts.
Health System Innovations Designed To Increase Efficiency, Improve Outcomes
News outlets report on how certain health care models are performing in these difficult economic times.
Romney Responds: He’s Proud Of Mass. Health Care Overhaul
Some suggest the exchange between former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, in which he criticized “RomneyCare,” and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is a preview of the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.
AP: Humana CEO Hails The Importance Of The Health Care Consumer
But on Capitol Hill, Rep. Fortney “Pete” Stark, D-Calif., released a fact sheet detailing the profits earned by the nation’s five largest insurers – including Humana – and touted health law provisions that would increase transparency by the insurance industry.
Health Overhaul Confusion: 1 In 5 Americans Think Law Was Repealed
Coverage continues regarding a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Thursday that found a surprising degree of confusion about the status of the federal health overhaul.
First Edition: February 25, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about developments in New York’s Medicaid program.
