Latest KFF Health News Stories
States address a range of health policy issues.
Patients Are Under-Informed About Treatments; Home-Based Care Gains Popularity
A new survey suggests that physicians don’t fully inform patients about the risks of certain treatments; the vision of new home-based care will include a full suite of medical support resources.
Rising Cost Of Long-Term Care Threatens State, Federal Budgets
The Fiscal Times reports on the surging costs of long-term care, “which amount to a fiscal time bomb for states and the federal government.”
Aetna CEO Williams To Retire, Bertolini Named New Head
Aetna CEO Ronald A. Williams is retiring and will be replaced by company President Mark T. Bertolini.
Canadian Hospitals’ Contracts With Consultants Scrutinized
News outlets report on issues affecting the hospital markets in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and even Canada.
Electronic Medicaid Data Goes Missing; New Report Says Med-Tech Companies ‘Under Siege’
Medical data of thousands of Medicaid recipients goes missing; medical technology companies must adapt to more a more stringent regulatory environment.
Health Care Fraud Roundup: 30-Year Sentence For Doctor Upheld; Ky. Cracks Down
An appeals court has upheld a 30-year prison term for a doctor convicted of Medicare fraud in Florida.
Drug Payment Database Spurs Local Reports
A ProPublica database of drugmakers’ payments to physicians for promoting their products is now spurring local inquiries and garnering some response from physicians.
Insurance Commissioners Vote On Health Insurance Spending Requirements
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners officially approved a set of recommendations for regulating how much insurers must spend on medical services, a key health law provision.
Medicare Beneficiaries Will Find Fewer Advantage And Prescription Drug Plans
The Tennessean reports that studies find: “On average, private insurance premiums should fall slightly for Medicare Advantage plans that cover doctors’ visits, hospitalizations and other basic medical costs, but rise from 5 percent to 10 percent for separate Medicare Part D or prescription drug packages.”
First Edition: October 21, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how opponents of the health law are steering the educational efforts that surround it, as well as poll results that suggest continued Republican inroads at the polls.
More Groups Challenge Democrats On Health Issues As GOP Lays Out Repeal Clues
More groups are jumping into campaign messaging as the GOP lays out a possible roadmap for its repeal efforts
Health Reform Law News: HHS Awards $30 Million in Consumer Assistance Grants
The Department of Health and Human Services says it will award $30 million in grants to help states provide direct services to consumers about health insurance.
Internet Searching For Health Info Growing, But Not Dominant
A new survey finds that people prefer to gather health information from personal sources, although mobile apps may change that, meanwhile a family physician discusses what the federal health IT agenda means for doctors.
Today’s Opinions: The Health Law And Medicare, Issues Of Implementation; The Call For Repeal
A selection of opinions and editorials from across the U.S.
VA Checklists Save Lives, Study Says
A new study shows that reviewing “surgery checklists” before, during and after an operation can help surgical teams reduce the number of deaths due to human error.
States address a range of health policy issues.
Employers Not Dropping Coverage As Mental Health Parity Law Is Enacted
American Medical News reports that the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act hasn’t made employers drop coverage as some feared.
Business Groups Seek Health Care Payment Reforms
In Memphis, businesses are searching for ways to control costs and reward quality.
Study: Flu Vaccine Is Money Loser For Doctors Paid By Medicaid
More poor children would get the flu vaccine if Medicaid increased the reimbursement to doctors for giving the shot, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics.
