Latest KFF Health News Stories
Abortion Restrictions Spread Through South
New state laws and regulations are forcing women in the South to travel hundreds of miles to find a clinic where they can get an abortion. Meanwhile, anti-abortion activists lobby Congress to defund Planned Parenthood and distribute undercover videos accusing the group of failing to report sex trafficking.
House Approves Funding For Justice To Investigate VA
In a vote shortly after midnight, the House approved funding for the Justice Department to look into allegations of mismanagement at VA facilities.
Food Fight Shaping Up Over School Lunch Waivers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he could accept a Senate compromise on school lunch standards but that he strongly opposes a House Appropriations Committee plan that would grant waivers to school districts that say they can’t afford to comply with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.
Conservatives Push For GOP Alternative To Health Law
Conservatives put pressure on House GOP leaders to adopt their own health care plan as an alternative to the health law. And in Kentucky, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell argues on the campaign trail that if Kentucky residents like their health exchange they can keep it — even if Republicans repeal the law.
Wait Times Of 115 Days, Hidden Patient Lists Detailed In VA Report
The inspector general’s preliminary findings reveal that 1,700 patients at the veterans center in Phoenix were not on the official waiting list and that the average wait for new patients who did get appointments was nearly four months.
A selection of health policy stories from Florida, Illinois, New York, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado and Massachusetts.
Hospitals Worry Over Billing, Treatment As Vets Move To Private Facilities
The administration has announced that more veterans will be able to use private facilities since the VA system is overcrowded, but hospitals are concerned it could strain their systems.
California Shootings Revive Debate Over Involuntary Commitment
A bill in the House, which would make it easier for family members and authorities to force people to be treated, is giving some lawmakers pause, while NPR reports how counties in California have been slow to adopt a 2002 state law that gives authorities the ability to mandate outpatient mental health care for people who have been refusing it.
Tavenner, Other CMS Officials Defend Medicare Payment Data Release
Elsewhere, the Health and Human Services inspector general says Medicare overpaid $6.7 billion for office visits in 2010.
The New York Times examines a new marketing effort by hospitals to attract men. In the meantime, data sharing among medical professionals remains elusive.
Study Challenges Need For Employer Mandate
The report by the Urban Institute offers rationales for dropping the mandate that requires large employers to provide health insurance for full-time workers. Meanwhile, another analysis finds that while federal grants to states for health care are up, they are down for other categories.
Longer Looks: ‘Abandoning’ Patients; Commiting People With Mental Illness
This week’s articles come from The New York Times, Health Affairs, The Atlantic, The New Republic, Medscape and The Health Care Blog.
Viewpoints: Michelle Obama And School Lunches; More About The VA Health System ‘Scandal’
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Obama Hosts Summit On Sports-Related Concussions
The president is overseeing a day-long White House meeting today with more than 200 medical researchers, athletes, coaches, league officials and others to raise awareness about this public health issue. Officials announced a commitment of $65 million in private funds to boost related clinical and scientific work.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including articles on an inspector general’s report on care at VA hospitals and growing pressure from some House Republicans to vote on an alternative to the Affordable Care Act.
Shooting Spree Renews Mental Health, Firearms Debates
Friday’s shootings spur California lawmakers to look at “gun violence restraining orders” to enable a subject’s family or friends to petition a judge to grant orders prohibiting someone from keeping or purchasing a gun. They also focus attention on competing plans in Congress to help people plagued by mental illness.
Hagel Orders Review Of Military Health System After 2 Deaths
The order follows the dismissal of the commander of one of the military’s busiest hospitals for active-duty personnel in Fort Bragg, N.C., after two young men died unexpectedly and amid furor over the care provided to veterans in the system run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Insurers, Employers Trimming Costs, Consumers Paying More
News outlets cover how companies are puzzling through the increasing costs of health care.
Feds Probe How States Set Medicaid Managed Care Rates
In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is planning its first major update of Medicaid managed care regulations in more than 15 years, reports Modern Healthcare.
Michelle Obama Wades Into Political Debate On School Lunches
Republican proposals would allow some schools to delay enforcement of new standards.
