Latest KFF Health News Stories
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Health Overhaul Confusion: 1 In 5 Americans Think Law Was Repealed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.
Advocates Say Ending Violence Against Women Must Be Top Priority For U.N. Women
Nearly three quarters (72 percent) of women’s rights advocates say ending violence against women must be a top priority for U.N. Women, according to a report released Wednesday at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, Inter Press Service reports. Released a day ahead of the official launch of the new agency, the “Blueprint for U.N. Women” survey, commissioned by the groups Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and Oxfam, outlines “the views and efforts, documented in the report, of some 100 civil society organisations working in over 75 countries on human rights, gender equality and social justice,” according to the news service (D’Almeida, 2/24).
Media Examine Effects, Outlook Of Food Price Increases Worldwide
“A rush by farmers to expand plantings in many parts of the world is raising expectations that food prices may retreat as early as the second half of this year if weather conditions remain favorable,” the Wall Street Journal reports in a story examining how recent global developments could affect food price spikes.
House Republicans Drafting Two-Week Continuing Resolution With About $4B In Spending Cuts
In an effort to avoid a government shutdown, House Republicans are drafting a new continuing resolution (CR) that will include some cuts to the federal budget, Republican leadership aides said on Wednesday, Roll Call reports (Stanton, 2/23). “The measure will contain about $4 billion in spending cuts and will merge cuts approved last week by the House and several taken from President Obama’s list of program terminations and savings,” National Journal writes. “The CR would extend government financing for two weeks” and the cuts “would be prorated to reflect” the reductions that were approved in last week’s CR. “In other words, the $4 billion in savings would be roughly equal to the cuts the CR called for if carried out for just two weeks,” the publication notes.
Roundup: States Act On Medicaid And Health Spending, Payment Reform
States in the news today include Minnesota,Massachusetts, Florida, Louisiana and Georgia.
Judge Meant To Halt Health Law Implementation, States Say
Taking a position that the Obama administration’s request for “clarification” regarding a recent ruling on the health law’s individual mandate is “wishful thinking,” some states maintain the judge meant to stop work on the law’s rollout.
Poll Finds Continuing Confusion About Health Overhaul’s Status
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, many Americans either believe the health law has been repealed or aren’t sure. (KHN is a program of the Foundation.)
Longer Looks: Best Health Policy Picks From Thought-Provoking Publications
Every Thursday, we feature a selection of thought-provoking pieces from a variety of sources. This week, among other things, there’s an essay from PBS Newshour’s Betty Ann Bowser and a look a mammography in Britain.
When It Comes To Elective Surgery, Where You Live Matters
A new study finds wide regional variations in the treatment Medicare patients receive, especially regarding elective procedures.
Viewpoints: Delaware’s Gov. On Wisconsin’s Woes, ‘Immovable’ GOP, Mrs. Obama Vs. Rush
Various viewpoints from The Hill, Politico, The Washington Post, the Miami Herald, the Sacramento Bee and KHN.
