Latest KFF Health News Stories
Democrats Push Three-Year Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ As Part Of Larger Tax Bill
A proposal to stop planned payment cuts to Medicare doctors for three years is in a bill extending tax cuts and lengthening unemployment benefits.
Democrats Moving To Extend COBRA Subsidy Expansion Through End Of Year
Tucked into a $190 billion jobs and tax bill the House plans to take up next week is an extension of the subsidy to help laid-off workers pay for COBRA health insurance benefits.
Health Leaders Discuss Polio, Alcohol, Childhood Obesity At WHA
From the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, the Associated Press reports on what some “describe as a new strategy to get rid of” polio that focuses on developing solutions to “problems in each country, provides more WHO monitoring, like more teleconferences, and holds governments more accountable.” The plans also provide “[n]ew [polio] outbreak response plans,” according to the AP.
Today’s OpEds: Wyden On Bipartisanship Health Reform; How To Spend Prevention Funds; CLASS Act
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Friday’s editorials and opinions from around the country.
New Therapies Can Turn Cancer Into Chronic Disease
Two new studies suggest that the prolonged use of two cancer drugs helped stunt the progress of the disease, a shift from the scheduled courses of treatment typically delivered to patients.
The number of insured Americans in high-deductible plans has risen to 10 million, but remains a small portion of the market, an insurance industry group said. Patients who discharge themselves before doctors say they are ready are more likely to return to the hospital and cost more money, a study finds.
In Survey, Employers Say Health Reform Will Increase Costs – Somewhat
A survey of 791 employers found that most were more worried about a tax that goes into effect in 2018 more than about current changes.
State Roundup: Genetic Testing On Campus, Texas Docs In Mass., And More
Critics question a University of California plan to offer voluntary genetic testing to students. Massachussetts hospitals invite Texan doctors to help with cancer treatment. And, among other things, a New Jersey judge upheld a plan requiring public workers to pay 1.5 percent of their salaries or more for health coverage.
NIH Issues New Conflict Of Interest Guidelines For Researchers
The National Institutes of Health proposed new guidelines for researchers Thursday.
A new tracking poll finds that the health benefits being tauted by the White House have not influenced public opinion.
Baucus: No Guarantee Of Berwick Confirmation Hearing By July 4
Nominee to health the agency that oversees Medicare has raised some GOP criticism.
Medicaid News: Early Expansion Unlikely In Ohio, Florida Disputes Managed Care
News outlets report on state Medicaid issues in Ohio and Florida.
Deals Brighten Restaurant Workers’ Prospects For Health Insurance
A new partnership between UnitedHealth Group Inc. and the National Restaurant Association aims “to make coverage more accessible to millions of restaurant workers without health benefits, three years ahead of when the health care overhaul would require everyone to have insurance,”the Chicago Tribune reports.
Research Roundup: Lessons From Medicare Part D; Evaluating Medical Homes; Insuring Young Adults
Studies and briefs in this week’s roundup come from Health Affairs, the Annals of Internal Medicine, the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Commonwealth Fund.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest on congressional efforts to extend the soon-to-expire COBRA subsidy.
These provisions, which are included in a broader legislative package that includes an array of tax credit and other program extensions, could be voted on by the House as early as tomorrow.
Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ Remains Sticking Point On Tax Legislation
Without Congressional intervention, physicians face a 21 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements at the end of the month. Lawmakers are disputing how to pay for the “fix.”
Not All Small Businesses Will Get Tax Benefits Promised In Health Law
Tax credits to help small business pay for employee health coverage fall short of the “broad eligibility” White House officials promoted.
Ariz. Tax Hike Only A Band-Aid, And Other State Tales Of Budget Woes
States continue to grapple with tight budgets.
