Latest KFF Health News Stories
The decision is viewed as another win for the health law and the Obama administration.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Rekindling The End-Of-Life Debate; Medicare Is Not An ATM For Congress
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from Kansas, California, Oregon, New York, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri and North Carolina.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation took over medical responsibilities at Folsom State Prison — the first of many steps in ending a long-standing lawsuit.
Video Conferencing, Cell Phones And Novel Medical Apps — How Technology Is Changing Medical Practice
A range of news stories detail how new technology is touching medicine in positive and negative ways.
Wis. Gov. Scott Walker Launches Presidential Campaign
In his announcement, Walker said Washington leaders are out of touch with the nation, over-regulating businesses and forcing mandates such as President Obama’s health-care law. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton, a Democratic presidential hopeful, offered a policy speech.
VA May Shutter Some Hospitals To Close Budget Gap
The Department of Veterans Affairs may have to take this step if Congress does not address the agency’s $2.5 billion, current-year budget shortfall. This news comes as the Huffington Post reports more than 238,000 of the 847,000 veterans in the backlog awaiting care may have already died.
Colorado’s Exchange Board Gets New Members; Republicans Seek More Oversight Of MNsure
News outlets report on developments related to the state health exchanges in Colorado and Minnesota.
Alaska Gov. To Announce Medicaid Expansion Plans Thursday
A spokesman for Gov. Bill Walker said the announcement won’t mark the beginning of the program but will explain how the governor will roll it out. News outlets also report on some Medicaid developments in Arkansas and Indiana.
Drug Makers, Insurers Could Feel Added Marketplace Merger Pressures
The Wall Street Journal notes that changes in the insurance market could lead to new pressures as doctors likely face stingier reimbursements, with cancer treatments a possible target. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that insurers, which have been hesitant to cover costly hepatitis C drugs, will also feel a push from a report that finds these therapies cost effective.
President Barack Obama made these comments during a speech at the sixth White House conference on aging, an event that takes place roughly once a decade.
New Ranking Tool Aids Consumers In Finding Top-Ranked Surgeons
The “surgeon scorecard,” which is Web-based, free and supported by a non-profit consumers group, ranks surgeons in 14 types of major surgery including bypass, and total knee and hip replacement.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Views On Medicare And End-Of-Life Counseling: It’s Time To Put ‘Death Panel’ Lie To Rest
Several news outlets offered opinions on Medicare’s proposed rule to pay doctors to counsel patients about end-of-life treatment options.
Viewpoints: Rise In Premium Costs; Medicare Flexes Its Power; Going Without Care In Va.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Health care stories are reported from New Hampshire, Wisconsin, California, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas, New York, Tennessee and Virginia.
‘Aid-In-Dying’ Movement Gains Traction Around U.S.
Advocates are pushing to change laws around the nation to allow doctors to help terminally ill patients end their lives, and D.C. could be the next place to legalize it. Elsewhere, older Americans struggle to gain control of their own health information, even from their families.
Prescription Drug Abusers Increasingly Turn To Heroin, Adding To Epidemic’s Toll
News outlets examine how the impact of the heroin epidemic is being felt across the country.
Medicare Seeks To End Payment Disparities With New Plan For Hip, Knee Replacements
In an effort to improve quality and lower cost, the program for older and disabled Americans will give a fixed amount of money to hospitals to care for patients that need these procedures from start to finish. Also, Medicare proposes easing rules on how doctors can self-refer.
