Latest KFF Health News Stories
When Insurers Deny Long-Term Mental Care Treatment, The Results Can Be Dangerous
CBS 60 Minutes investigates the battles that parents fight for psychiatric care for their kids. And KHN looks into the practice and enforcement of a landmark federal “parity” law that requires insurance providers to cover mental illness as they would any other disease.
Obama Marks Medicare, Medicaid Anniversary With Vigorous Defense Of Programs
In his weekly Saturday address, the president derided critics who want to cut the programs. Meanwhile, some Medicare beneficiaries face a stiff increase in premiums.
Emails Highlight Hillary Clinton’s Role In Obamacare Passage
Fox News reports on a new batch of Clinton’s emails that reference efforts the current Democratic presidential hopeful made to reach out to members of Congress in support of the health law. Meanwhile, news outlets also report on this week’s GOP primary debate.
Wariness Surrounds Wave Of Insurer Mergers
Consumer advocates, past regulators and health policy observers are raising concerns about how the marketplace changes may impact consumers.
Wisconsin Rejects $360M In Federal Health Law Money
Gov. Scott Walker, who is running for president, and other Republican lawmakers argue that the state needs to be able to pay for its own health care costs, but those who support accepting the funds say politics are at the heart of the decision.
Intraparty Divisions On Health Law Repeal Tactics Impact Republicans’ Budget Roadmap
In other Capitol Hill news, a provision of the House’s VA legislation offers stronger protections for whistleblowers. And MinnPost profiles the family of the young woman whose death helped inspire a bill to combat eating disorders.
Senate To Vote Today On Planned Parenthood Federal Funding
News outlets report on today’s scheduled vote, which comes in the wake of a series of secret videos taken by anti-abortion activists that raise controversial and unsettling issues about Planned Parenthood’s program to collect fetal tissue for biomedical research.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Florida, California and Illinois.
Feds Update Strategy, Set New Goals In Fight Against AIDS
The plan, which President Barack Obama spoke about Thursday, sets the year 2020 as a goal to slash the HIV/AIDS death rate by one-third. Elsewhere, slightly more teens are getting HPV vaccinations, including those in families with lower incomes.
Hospitals Get Behind Bill Notifying Patients About Medicare ‘Observation Care’
In the meantime, a rift between advocates and insurers and states opens over a Medicaid managed-care rule on long-term care, and the Justice Department hires a compliance expert to more closely monitor health care fraud.
Who Sets The Price Of Your Health Care?
Minnesota Public Radio talks with an expert to unravel who sets prices and how. In the meantime, everyone involved in the health care sector is busy trying to figure out how best to measure quality in the system.
Sanders Advocates Single-Payer System As He Celebrates Medicare’s Anniversary
The Democratic presidential hopeful reiterated his support for a single-payer health care system and promised to introduce “Medicare-for-all” legislation in the near future.
Obama Marks Medicare’s Big 5-0
In observing the fiftieth anniversary of Medicare, President Barack Obama said more should be done in the United States to build on this landmark program — as well as the Affordable Care Act — and expand health coverage for all Americans. Meanwhile, news outlets examine various notable Medicare policy points.
Medical Device Maker Agrees To $13.5M Settlement Over False Claim Allegations
NuVasive was accused of promoting a spine surgery device for uses the Food and Drug Administration did not approve. In other news, medical device profits rise, and a lawsuit accuses CVS of overcharging for generic drugs.
Cigna’s 2Q Profits Exceed Expectations Ahead Of Anthem Sale
In other marketplace news, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield says its program tying doctor and hospital payments to improvement in patient care is saving money. And Assurant Health reported a $124 million net loss in the second quarter of this year as the insurer continues to wind down operations.
VA Clinics Get $3 Billion In Highway Bill
The Department of Veteran Affairs warned that some VA hospitals would have to close next month if they don’t get the additional funding. President Barack Obama is likely to sign the bill.
Senate Could Vote As Soon As Monday On Bill To Defund Planned Parenthood
The continuing controversy over the organization’s involvement in fetal tissue research and the release of covert videos by anti-abortion activists is stirring abortion-related politics on Capitol Hill. News outlets report that the backlash could lead to threats of a government shutdown and a presidential veto.
Health Law Takes Bite Out Of California’s Uninsured Population, Survey Finds
The Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that more than two-thirds of Californians who didn’t have health insurance before the Affordable Care Act have since gained coverage. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the Foundation.)
