Latest KFF Health News Stories
News Outlets Examine HIV Vaccine Research, Cervical Cancer Screening Data Presented At Conference
Several news outlets examine the latest reports out of this week’s Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco.
Sebelius Issues Sharp Rebuke Against Health Insurance Premium Hikes Across U.S.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a new report Thursday detailing double-digit insurance premium hikes in six states across the country, citing the increases as evidence of an urgent need for a health care overhaul.
State Lawmakers Address ‘Troubling Trends’ In Insurance Market
Bills in Iowa and Kansas would seek to mitigate the bite of rising health premiums for individuals and small businesses.
A Selection Of Today’s Opinions And Editorials
A sampling of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Private Health Insurance Around The World May Be Making Health Care Problems Worse
The Economist offers an analysis of private insurance around the world. “Governments are increasingly turning to private insurance in order to widen access to health care and make it more efficient. Are they expecting too much?”
The Push For Electronic Records Continues
States and institutions are getting grants to facilitate health information technology adoption.
Florida Faces Fight Over Medicaid Reform Expansion; In Kansas, Cuts Hurt A Mental Health Clinic
Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration may extend a Medicaid-reform pilot program by 19 counties to save more than $58 million by requiring Medicaid beneficiaries enroll in managed-care plans, Health News Florida reports.
New VA Undersecretary For Health Sworn In
“Robert Petzel has been sworn in as undersecretary for health at the Veterans Affairs Department, the agency announced,” Modern Healthcare reports.
Express Scripts Turning Prescription Discount Business Into Nonprofit
Anticipating “more people will need access to discount prescriptions no matter what ultimately happens in Washington” with health reform, Express Scripts’ Rx Outreach program will become a nonprofit.
This week’s research roundup includes reports from Health Affairs, the Institute of Medicine, the Urban Insitute, the Center for Studying Health Systems Change, UCLA, the Archives of Surgery, PLoS Medicine and George Washington University.
Money In Chicago Health Savings Accounts Company Disappears
Case points up concerns about regulation of health savings accounts.
Stalled Health Bills Could Lead To Increase In Hospital Mergers
Some analysts expect an increase in hospital mergers if health care overhaul remains stalled and the head of the Cleveland Clinic discusses why he thinks an overhaul won’t lower health costs.
Workforce Issues: Health Care Jobs Boom In Nevada; Florida Nurses Lobby For Safer Hospital Staffing
News outlets report on the health care workforce, including the thriving job market in Nevada and an effort to institute mandatory staffing ratios for nurses in Florida hospitals.
Recession Swells Medicaid Rolls, Shrinks State Treasuries
Nearly every state is considering or already making cuts to its Medicaid program as the recession swells rolls for the state-run insurers of the poor.
Medicare Advantage Premiums Jump 14 Percent
Insurance premiums continue to rise as seniors see a sharp cost increase in their Medicare Advantage plans.
First Edition: February 19, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of a White House plan to “get specific” on health reform, an analysis showing a nationwide jump in Medicaid enrollment and the continuing firestorm surrounding health insurance premium increases.
GOP, Democrats Continue Staking Out Reform Positions, Strategies In Advance Of Health Summit
The White House plans to post a set of reform proposals online three days before the bipartisan health care meeting.
HHS Report Scolds Insurers For Rate Hikes, Points To Increases As Reason For Reform
A report released today by the Department of Health and Human Services stated that double-digit increases such as the proposed 39 percent hike by Anthem Blue Cross in California are a “worrisome sign of the times.”
Some Dems Say Single Health Reform Bill Is Close, GOP Settles On Summit Strategy
House Democrats Wednesday said their leaders may not be able to offer a health care proposal before next week’s planned bipartisan health overhaul summit though they are making progress.
Sens. Gregg, Baucus and Rep. Braley: Health Care Reform Should Happen
News outlets reports on the health care opinions of several lawmakers, including Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa.
