Latest KFF Health News Stories
Roundup: Calif. Hospital’s Unusual Medicare Billing; Tenn. Gastric Bypass; Mass. ACOs
A selection of stories about states and health care.
Viewpoints: Planned Parenthood Funding; Governors And Medicaid; Lessons From Wisconsin
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
U.S. Behind Peers On Providing Paid Federal Maternity Leave
Bloomberg reports that legislation has been introduced in Congress on this point, but it is not likely to come to a vote.
House Votes To Defund Planned Parenthood
On the same day, the White House narrowed a Bush administration rule that allows medical providers to refuse to perform abortions.
States, Think Tanks Focus On Ways To Save Medicaid Money, Find Efficiency
Media outlets report on various Medicaid developments in states across the country.
Some GOP Lawmakers Like Their Government Health Insurance
McClatchy reports on certain Republican newcomers to Congress who opted for federal medical coverage.
Cost Issues Focus Attention On Health Law’s Long-Term Care Program
The New York Times reports the program, as is, requires changes – otherwise it will be too costly to survive.
After Florida Health Law Decision, Alaska Refuses To Apply For Exchange Grants
Meanwhile, Politico Pro reports that Judge Roger Vinson, the federal judge in that case, said Friday that he will “promptly” clarify his January ruling.
First Edition: Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how changes are likely for the federal health law’s long-term care program and how states continue to struggle with Medicaid and other budget challenges.
Desperate Governors, State Legislatures Seek Ways To Cut Medicaid Costs
Across the country, states are planning to trim Medicaid rolls and benefits. Some are especially focusing on nursing home costs.
Wisconsin Workers Say They Agree To Pay More For Health Benefits
In Wisconsin, public workers are continuing their protests about Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal, supported by Republican legislators, to strip collective bargaining rights from the unions.
HHS Overturns Bush ‘Conscience’ Rule For Workers Opposing Abortion
The 2008 provision gave doctors and other health care providers sweeping protections. But critics said it also allowed them to refuse to provide necessary care, such as dispensing birth control pills or caring for AIDS patients.
After Passionate Debate, House Votes To Strip All Funding Of Planned Parenthood
In a nearly three-hour long debate, members spoke with fervor about the appropriateness of federal funding for the group, including one California Democrat who recounted the experience of her own abortion.
House Republicans Vote To Defund Federal Health Overhaul
The federal spending bill approved by the House early Saturday morning includes several amendments that would strip funds to enforce the new health law. However, “large sums” of money in the health overhaul are out of reach of this spending bill.
Former President Carter Highlights Gains In Reducing Spread Of Guinea Worm Disease
“The global cases of Guinea worm disease have plunged to another new all-time low, former President Jimmy Carter said Thursday, bringing health workers closer to their goal of eradicating the disease,” the Canadian Press reports (Bluestein, 2/17).
“G20 [finance] ministers gather in Paris Friday to hammer out common criteria for measuring global economic imbalances at a two-day session that host France hopes will lead to an overhaul of world finance,” Agence France-Presse reports (2/18).
U.S. Scientists Assess Progress Of Dengue Vaccine At 3-Day Summit In Puerto Rico
During a meeting in Puerto Rico on Thursday to discuss recent progress towards fighting dengue, researchers voiced optimism over advances in the development of vaccines to prevent the spread of the virus, “which kills 25,000 people every year,” Agence France-Presse reports.
Ways And Means Committee Passes 1099 Repeal
The House committee passes a bill to get rid of a health law provision requiring business to report some purchases.
Health Benefits A Key Part Of Partisan Battle In Wisconsin
A proposal by the new Republican governor in Wisconsin to help cover the state’s budget shortfall by changing some state worker benefits, including collective bargaining on health care, led to a stand-off in the state Senate Thursday.
