Latest KFF Health News Stories
Some Small Businesses Are Scaling Back Or Ending Health Coverage
“Across the country, businesses already strapped by the economy to turn a profit are sacrificing or scaling back employee health insurance plans because of their escalating costs,” The Associated Press reports.
Poll Shows Fractured Public Opinion; Dems Claim ‘Widespread’ Support For Health Bills
An Associated Press analysis of its own poll finds that support for the public option varies based on how the pollsters ask the questions.
A Selection Of Today’s Opinions And Editorials
A sampling of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Generic and Brand-Name Drug Makers Face Off
“Teva Pharmaceuticals, a leading manufacturer of generic drugs, has been aggressively lobbying Congress to scrap provisions in the health care bills it claims would shut it out of the biologic drug market for too long,” Roll Call reports.
House lawmakers are still facing questions on their health care reform votes as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi questions her caucus and groups plot a strategy to help vulnerable Democrats who voted for the bill.
Study Says 43 Percent Of Americans Could Be Obese By 2018 – Costing $344 Billion Annually
A study sponsored by the United Health Foundation and other groups says 43 percent of Americans could be obese by 2018, costing $344 billion annually.
CLASS Act, Individual Mandate Draw New Attention To Health Bills
Some provisions in the health bills are attracting a new wave of analyses and some criticism.
Senate Approves Budget For Veterans Programs
Democrats also move to assure veterans that the health care bill will not hurt them.
Sen. Grassley Prods Med Schools About Medical Journal Ghostwriting Practices
Senator Charles E. Grassley, an Iowa Republican, wrote to 10 top medical schools Tuesday demanding to know what they are doing about professors who put their names on ghostwritten articles in medical journals.
House Vote On Abortion Amendment Continues To Cause Democratic Divisions
Michigan Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak’s amendment to the health reform bill would deny abortion funding in a proposed health insurance exchange.
States Mull How Medicaid Expansion Might Affect Budgets
States consider how health legislation on Capitol Hill might affect their Medicaid programs and budgets.
Seniors Struggle With Drug Costs While Congress Debates Medicare ‘Doughnut Hole”
House health care bill would address a gap in Medicare drug coverage, but the Senate’s provisions are not set yet.
White House Reports Billions Lost In Improper Payments For Medicare, Other Government Programs
The figure for misspent money announced Tuesday was a 37.5 percent increase over the 2008 figure. Bad Medicare payments made up a third of the total. President Obama will issue an order to crack down on the problem, officials said.
Senate Health Reform Bill Timeline Slipping, Reid Plans Caucus Meeting Today
Health bill action may slip as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid waits for the CBO score on his latest version of the bill, which could come today.
AARP Tells GOP It Won’t Reverse Support For Democrats’ House Health Bill
“House Republicans want the AARP to rescind its endorsement of comprehensive health reform legislation after a government report showed it could cause some providers to stop accepting Medicare patients,” CongressDaily reports.
Tempest Over New Mammography Guidelines Affect Health Legislation, Insurance Coverage
As stunned doctors and patients continued to digest new recommendations on mammograms, some Republicans called them a “first step” towards rationing, as insurers look into whether to change coverage.
House Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ Vote Likely Thursday Amid Disputes About Cost, Role In Health Reform
The House is set to vote on a bill Thursday that raises fees for doctors treating Medicare patients, averting a 21 percent scheduled cut to their payments next year, as well as smaller annual reductions in future years.
First Edition: November 18, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations include the latest on the Senate bill and analysis regarding its possible long-term care and coverage mandate provisions.
Health Reform’s Roots Lay In Conservative Movement: Otto Von Bismarck
The Boston Globe reports that as Republicans protest over health care reform, the first mandatory health insurance plan was pushed by German Otto von Bismarck.
Senate Minority Leader Raising His Voice, And Profile Over Health Care Reform
Roll Call reports that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, is rising as he sounds off on health care reform.
