Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Health Law, Planned Parenthood
In a brief exchange, Sen. Rand Paul accuses Sen. Bernie Sanders of trying to put physicians into slavery by asserting that health care is a “right” for all.
Audit Finds Widespread Use Of Antipsychotic Drugs In Nursing Homes
About 14 percent of elderly nursing homes residents receives a so-called atypical antipsychotic medicine despite an increased risk of death when the medicines are used to manage dementia in older people.
Letter From California: Exchange Board Has Daunting Task
The Golden State was the first to create a health care exchange under federal law. But setting up the online marketplace will take time — and money that the cash-strapped state might not have.
Study Details How GOP Budget Plan Would Cut States’ Medicaid Funding
A new analysis of the effect of the House-passed budget finds that states would lose anywhere from 26 to 44 percent of federal Medicaid funds compared to current law.
4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Hears Arguments In Health Law Case
Two cases challenging the constitutionality of health care reform were heard today by a three-judge appeals panel. In both cases, the key issue is whether Americans can be required to obtain health insurance, as the 14-month old law mandates. Ariane de Vogue, a reporter for ABC News, talks with Jackie Judd about today’s arguments in Richmond.
Racial Labels Have Limited Use In Personalizing Medicine
Conventional race labels people use to identify themselves may not be all that useful for doctors looking for genetic risk patterns in diverse communities.
Florida Legislature Passes Massive Medicaid Overhaul
Arguing that the proposal will save tax dollars and improve patient care, Republican lawmakers Friday approved a massive overhaul of Florida’s Medicaid system.
High-Risk Health Coverage Pools Grow By 6,000 Enrollees
Numbers still remain far below estimates for the program designed to help people with pre-existing medical conditions, but cost and lack of publicity may hamper enrollment.
Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ Put on Life Support by AMA Lobby
The annual scramble to prevent next year’s scheduled pay cut for doctors who treat Medicare patients kicked off Thursday with physician leaders calling for a five-year program of guaranteed annual raises and a high-ranking House Republican calling for another short-term fix.
The first Republican debate among some of the presidential contenders included some questions about the health law, the role of the federal government, medical malpractice and Medicare. These excerpts of the debate include answers from Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich did not attend the Greenville, S.C. debate.
Documents: Proposed Health Insurance Coverage Labels
The new health law requires that health insurance providers make “coverage facts labels” available so that, beginning in March of 2012, consumers have pricing information to compare health insurance policies. A working group of state insurance regulators, industry representatives and consumer advocates drafted four proposal for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which is now seeking public comment. Two of the proposed labels are displayed below.
Medicare Announces Rules For Quality Bonuses To Hospitals
Extra funding will be awarded to facilities that do better than average on quality of care and patient satisfaction.
New Labels Will Soon Help Consumers Choose Health Plans
The finishing touches are being made on “coverage fact labels” that will list costs that insurers will cover for some conditions.
Debating Medicaid Block Grants
Columnists Harold Pollack and Michael F. Cannon contribute very different opinions on the Republican proposal to fundamentally change Medicaid.
Health On The Hill Transcript – Key Republican Signals Flexibility On Ryan Plan For Medicare
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about Rep. Dave Camp’s comments Thursday that signaled flexibility on Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to change Medicare.
Democrats, Advocacy Groups Campaign Against Medicaid Block Grants
In the continuing Democratic assault on the House GOP’s 2012 budget bill, a group of senators today warned of dire consequences on the plan to transform Medicaid into a block grant program.
Community Health Centers To ‘Turn The Promise Of Coverage’ Into Better Care-The KHN Interview
Dan Hawkins, senior vice president of the centers’ national association, says influx of federal funding is helping them to reach out to more people.
Remaking Medicare: Saving Money Or Shifting Costs?
Lawmakers disagree, fundamentally, on how to save costs in the Medicare program and if recent proposals — like the GOP one passed recently in the House — will save money or just shift costs to Medicare patients.
Health Insurers Opening Their Own Clinics To Trim Costs
Some private plans serving people in Medicare and Medicaid have set up health care centers to help make sure patients get needed treatments and avoid hospitalizations.
At Least 600,000 Young Adults Join Parents’ Health Plans Under New Law
One of the most popular provisions of the overhaul shows early success, but employers note that it also will usher in higher costs.
