Latest KFF Health News Stories
Senate Finance Leaders Push For Permanent Medicare ‘Doc Fix’
Both Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Ranking Member Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, pushed for an overhaul of Medicare’s physician payment formula. Meanwhile, Baucus is not “ready to commit” to hold confirmation hearings for the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
GOP Continues Attack On Planned Parenthood, Abortion Funding
In related news, a House panel approved legislation that restricts federal funding for abortions for any programs that are part of the new health law.
Gov. Brewer: Feds Say Arizona Can Cut Medicaid Rolls
In a letter to Arizona’s governor, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wrote that a federal waiver is not necessary to proceed with the state’s plan. Sebelius did not approve of the waiver request.
Viewpoints: NY Times On High-Risk Pools; GOP On Medicaid ‘Flexibility;’ Health Workers’ Rights
Editorials and opinions from around the country.
First Edition: February 16, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the budget back-and-forth between President Obama and congressional Republicans — with an emphasis on Medicare and Medicaid as major drivers of long-term deficit growth.
GAVI Chair Calls For Greater Reductions In Vaccine Prices For Developing Countries
On Monday, the same day the GAVI Alliance helped oversee the roll out of a routine pneumococcal vaccine in Kenya, GAVI chairman Dagfinn Hoybraten highlighted the need for greater reductions in vaccine prices in developing countries during an interview with Reuters, the news service reports. The piece examines the funding mechanism in place to finance the pneumococcal vaccines, known as Advance Market Commitment (AMC), as well as the budget shortfall facing the group (Kelland, 2/14).
Republican Leadership’s FY11 Budget Cuts Would Endanger National Security, Clinton Says
“Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday afternoon that the spending levels outlined by House Republicans late last week for the remainder of the fiscal year would endanger the country’s national security,” the Washington Post’s “44” blog reports.
President Barack Obama “released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2012 on Monday,” the New York Times reports (Calmes, 2/14). The president’s “fiscal 2012 budget allocates $47 billion for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which reflects only a 1 percent increase over 2010 levels for the core budget,” National Journal writes (Sorcher, 2/14).
Obama Budget Draws GOP Criticism For Not Taking On Entitlements
Although reports indicate President Barack Obama’s proposed budget would reduce the deficit by more than $1 trillion over 10 years, it did not offer major changes to Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security – which total about 40 percent of federal spending.
Medicare Pay Cut For Docs Already Drawing Fire
Critics said the method used in the budget blueprint would cause serious problems. But some news reports indicate the inclusion of this Medicare “doc fix” would help build support within the physician community for the president’s health care agenda.
Viewpoints: Budget Disappointment; Supporting CLASS Act; Health Law’s Medicaid ‘Mess’
A collection of viewpoints from around the country, especially focused today on the president’s budget.
Study: Expedited Medical Device Reviews Account For Majority Of Recalls
The findings were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Medicaid’s Home Health Challenges
Politico reports on the difficulties involved in Medicaid’s effort to shift away from its bias toward institutionalized care.
Roundup: States Grapple With High Health Costs, Medicaid Squeeze
A roundup of stories about health care, especially Medicaid, from around the country.
GOP Point Of Interest: Selling Insurance Across State Lines
Republicans have introduced legislation to allow consumers to buy health insurance beyond their state borders. Meanwhile, Stateline explores how the health law might impact the job security of brokers.
Graham Plans Health Law Opt-Out Legislation For States
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Monday he would introduce legislation in the Senate to “free states” from the overhaul’s mandates, including provisions requiring individuals and businesses to buy health coverage as well as the law’s Medicaid expansions.
CR Still Under Consideration As House GOP Vehicle To Defund Health Law
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said this plan is still under discussion. Meanwhile, as the House considers this Continuing Resolution, which would provide current year funding for the federal government, it will do so under new rules for debate.
Budget Pushes Health Law Implementation, Provides Some Limited – But Not Easy – Increases
News outlets report that funding gains within the Department of Health and Human Services come at a steep price.
First Edition: February 15, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the health portion of the President’s budget blueprint along with the politics that accompany it
