Latest KFF Health News Stories
Patent Woes Likely To Trigger Drug Co. Losses
The New York Times reports that the expiration of certain patents will likely cause woe for some pharmaceutical companies.
Politico: Conservative Justices Face Attacks From The Left
With the health law
The Hill: Health Law Waivers Exceed 1,000
The number of temporary waivers granted thus far by the Obama administration reached a total of 1,040 by the end of last week. Meanwhile, regarding another controversial part of the new law, The Hill reports on the possibility of finding alternatives to the individual mandate.
Democrats May Be Giving Up On Medicare Chief’s Confirmation
Politico reports that sources say the “arithmetic” should be clear to Dems after last week’s letter signed by 42 GOP senators expressing opposition to the nomination.
GOP Presidential Hopeful Romney Continues Defense Of Mass. Health Overhaul
In defending the reform he oversaw as the state’s governor, he continues to draw differences between that plan and the federal health law.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about Medicaid block grants, pharmaceutical patent woes and differences in hospital costs.
Romney: Federal Health Reform Worse Than Mass. Plan
The former governor said that even though Massachusetts plan has an individual mandate, like the federal plan, the new law should be repealed.
Health Care Political Battles Tied To Budget, Insurance Costs
As insurance costs for small businesses continue to rise, political tensions increase.
Senate Dems Pitch Long-Term Spending Bill
The measure does not include language to prevent funding for health law implementation or Planned Parenthood.
Republicans’ proposed foreign aid cuts could damage food security programs in the developing world and create social instability requiring U.S. military intervention, advocates and government officials said on Thursday at a Capitol Hill event addressing hunger and rising food prices, Agence France-Presse reports (Zeitvogel, 3/3).
WHO Concerned About Potential Disease Epidemics Among Libyan Refugees In Tunisia
Disease epidemics threaten tens of thousands of refugees who have fled the violence in Libya and crossed over into southern Tunisia, Eric Laroche, WHO assistant director-general for Health Action in Crises, said at a news briefing on Thursday, Agence France-Presse reports.
Judge Stays Ruling Against Health Law, Sets Deadline For White House To Appeal
A federal judge in Florida issued a stay regarding his own January ruling in which he overturned the health law. However, this breathing room is only temporary – he also put the health law on the fast track to the Supreme Court.
House Votes To Repeal Health Law’s Tax Reporting Requirement
Lawmakers continue to be at odds over how to pay for the repeal of this provision, which was originally included in the overhaul as a means to raise revenue to pay for it.
WSJ: A Windfall For HCA Investors
Meanwhile, a report by Health Care For America Now details profits for the nation’s five largest insurers and draws a strong reaction from the industry.
Family Left On Sideline In Health Care Crisis
The New York Times reports that, in one particular situation requiring end-of-life care and decision making, the patient’s immigrant status added additional complexity.
Major Providers Of Prison Medical Care Set To Merge
Modern Healthcare reports that the development will combine two of the largest prison health care companies in the nation.
New Turf Battle: Retail Pharmacists Vs. Mail Order Companies
The New York Times reports on this marketplace tension.
House Republicans Continue Budget Assault On Health Law
Hearings are scheduled next week to develop legislation to make it possible to defund the health law by redesignating the related spending from “mandatory” to “discretionary.”
GOP Focus Remains Tight On Reforming Medicare, Entitlement Programs
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has made clear his determination to address this issue – The Wall Street Journal is reporting that he has even assured President Barack Obama that he will give him “cover” if he makes a proposal to cut entitlement spending.
Senate Republicans Urge White House To Withdraw Berwick Nomination
The Obama administration used a “recess appointment” last July to appoint Donald Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Yesterday, 42 GOP senators signed on to a letter asking that this appointment be withdrawn.
