Latest KFF Health News Stories
Mass. Nurse-Midwives No Longer Need Physician OK To Practice
Certified nurse-midwives in Massachusetts no longer need to have a physician sign on the dotted line in order to work in the state. Under a new state law, nurse-midwives do not have to practice under a physician’s supervision. Instead, they will be required to practice within a health care system and have a clinical relationship […]
Medicare Data Show Variation In ‘Central Line’ Infection Rates Across States
Across the country, one in six hospitals has high rates of one of the most serious kinds of preventable infections — those caused by catheters inserted into large veins, according to new data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Patients at hospitals in Maryland, Mississippi, Louisiana, Maine and New Hampshire were most […]
Today’s Headlines – February 9, 2012
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations mainly focus on the controversy over the administration’s new regulation on contraception coverage. The New York Times: Birth Control Is Covered, And G.O.P. Vows A Fight Congressional Republicans, seizing on the type of social issue that motivates and unifies their base, stepped forcefully Wednesday […]
Catholic Contraception Controversy: The State Of Pay
Two Democratic governors — Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut and Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland — tried to tamp down the controversy over contraception coverage at Catholic institutions this week by quoting the same number: 28 states already require insurance coverage of contraception. That’s true and it’s mentioned in a state policy brief by the […]
Study: Some Physicians Not Always Honest With Patients
Doctors report that they’re not always completely honest with patients, especially when it comes to disclosing a medical mistake, or discussing a difficult prognosis, according to a new survey. Despite wide acceptance of a professional code that endorses openness and honesty with patients, a 2009 survey of 1,891 doctors published in the February edition of […]
HHS Seeks To Cut Preterm Births
The Obama administration launched a $40 million effort Wednesday to reduce premature births, especially early elective deliveries, but it has no plans to stop Medicaid from paying for those deliveries. About 10 percent of all deliveries are scheduled — either as induced or Cesarean-section –before 39 weeks and are not medically indicated, according to the Department of Health […]
Consumer Tips: Going Out Of Network
Most health insurance plans allow you to visit an out-of-network doctor or hospital, though it is very likely to cost you more. KHN’s Julie Appleby says you may want to use an online calculator to figure out how much more it will cost you and suggests questions you may want to ask your insurer before you decide what to do.
Backlash Grows Over Contraception Rule In Health Law
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about an Obama administration rule that would require many religious-affiliated groups to cover birth control in their insurance plans. House Speaker John Boehner has suggested Congress could take legislative action to stop the rule.
Today’s Headlines – February 8, 2012
Good morning! Here are your morning headlines: The New York Times: Talks Stall On How To Pay For Extending Payroll Tax Cut Any hope for a fast and quiet resolution to the Congressional battle over a payroll tax cut seemed to dim Tuesday as members of a bipartisan negotiating committee clashed over how to pay […]
Report: A Decrease In Teen Pregnancies, But Disparities Remain
The good news: Teen pregnancies are at their lowest rate in nearly 40 years, resulting in fewer abortions and births, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization focused on sexual and reproductive health. The report shows that about 7 percent of U.S. teen girls between the ages of 15 to 19 were […]
Santorum Attacks Romney, Obama On Health Care
After he won Republican presidential nominating contests in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado, former Sen. Rick Santorum criticized the health law, the Obama administration’s birth control coverage policies and Mitt Romney’s record. He again asserted he was the only candidate to challenge the president on health care issues.
Alzheimer’s Research Gets Funding Boost
The Obama administration announced plans Tuesday for a two-year, $156 million cash infusion for Alzheimer’s research and care. The money will help solidify a still-developing national plan to better treat and even prevent the illness by 2025. Effective immediately, the National Institutes of Health will redirect $50 million of its fiscal year 2012 budget toward […]
Today’s Headlines – February 7, 2012
Good morning! Here are your headlines to get your day started: The Wall Street Journal: Budget Plan Has Familiar Ring The president will propose cutting spending on Medicare, the federal health program for the elderly, and Medicaid, the joint federal-state program for the poor and disabled. However, he isn’t proposing the structural changes that experts […]
Nowhere To Go But Up For The Poor Lacking Insurance, Says Study
In anticipation of the expansion of health insurance that will start in 2014 under the federal health care law, the Commonwealth Fund has begun tracking coverage of low-income Americans. The first of the surveys reconfirms what’s already well-known: the poor are starting from a pretty bad place in terms of coverage. A few examples: A […]
Analyzing The Komen Backtrack And The Coverage
The blogosphere is tickled pink with the abundance of analysis and commentary on the decision last week by Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood for, among other things, giving low-income women breast exams. After a major outcry, Komen announced Friday that it was reversing that decision, but […]
Today’s Headlines – February 6, 2012
Good morning! Hope you don’t have the post-Super Bowl blues. If you do, these headlines are sure to get you super-hyped for the day: The Wall Street Journal: Check Hospital Tab Some Medicare beneficiaries who visit the hospital are getting surprised by big bills because their stays weren’t considered inpatient services. The issue arises when […]
Enhanced Scrutiny Of IVF Clinics; School-Based Health Care
Every week, reporter Jessica Marcy selects interesting reads from around the Web. Time: Gingrich Wants Scrutiny Of IVF Clinics: Why That’s Not The Worst Idea Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich hit upon a reproductive minefield on Sunday when he called for deeper scrutiny of in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics, where women go for high-tech help […]
Health Law Challenge Gets A Dry Run At Georgetown Law
If a healthy, wealthy young man lives in a hut out in the American wilderness, should he have to buy health insurance? That was one of many questions brought up Wednesday, when the Georgetown University law school held a mock version of the upcoming oral arguments for the Supreme Court’s consideration of the 2010 health […]
Today’s Headlines – February 3, 2012
Good morning, and happy Friday! Here are your health headlines: Los Angeles Times: Health Law Delivers $2.1 Billion In Savings On Drugs For Seniors In the first full year of the new healthcare law, 3.6 million people in the government Medicare program saved $2.1 billion on prescription drugs in 2011, the Obama administration announced Thursday […]
Using War Savings For ‘Doc Fix’ Complicated By Congressional Rules
While hospitals, physicians and some members of Congress want to use war savings as a way to get rid of Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula, congressional rules could complicate things. Even if there’s enough support for the idea among Republicans — and it’s unclear there is, especially in the House — there’s the issue of “scope,” or what’s […]
