Latest KFF Health News Stories
Highligts: Calif.’s Medical System For Prisons; Gender Therapy In Boston; Ga. Public Health Money
A selection of health policy stories from California, Massachusetts, Georgia and North Carolina.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including continuing coverage of the announcement that Kathleen Sebelius will leave her post as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the challenges that her likely successor will face.
Sebelius: Website Launch ‘Terribly Flawed And Terribly Difficult’
In an interview broadcast on “Meet the Press,” the outgoing HHS secretary says the decision to leave office was hers.
HHS Secretary Sebelius Resigns
After holding the post for five years, and overseeing the flawed rollout of healthcare.gov, the White House said Thursday that Kathleen Sebelius will leave her post as chief of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Sebelius’ Exit Stirs Fresh GOP Criticism Of The Health Law
The announcement that Kathleen Sebelius will leave her post at the Department of Health and Human Services has reignited the politics surrounding the overhaul for both Democrats and Republicans. It has also triggered questions about her legacy.
2 Percent Of Medicare Docs Get Quarter Of Total Payouts
Media outlets continue to analyze which doctors receive the largest payments from the government insurance program for the elderly and disabled as they parse the massive database released Wednesday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
WSJ: Private Medicare Plan Funding Data Finds Its Way To Wall Street After Gov’t Phone Call
The Wall Street Journal reports on this development.
Rural Hospital Closings Tied To Rural Economy Struggles
Also, a new poll examines if Americans think they’ll need long-term care as they age.
Sylvia Mathews Burwell: Obama’s Likely Choice To Take Over The HHS Top Spot
Burwell is currently the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. Her experience includes budget oversight for the major entitlement programs, like Medicare and Medicaid.
Health Law Coverage Sign-Ups Hit 7.5 Million, Administration Reports
The number rose 400,000 since last week because of updated figures from states and an extension that allowed some to enroll until April 15.
Florida Sees Medicaid Enrollment Rise Even Though It Didn’t Expand The Program
While the state’s Republican legislators have opposed the federal effort to expand the program for low-income people, many Florida residents are learning — to their surprise — that they already qualified for Medicaid, the Associated Press reports. In other Medicaid news, Ohio reports more than 100,000 new enrollees and Maine’s governor vetoes legislation to expand the program.
Exchange Fixes Readied In Oregon, Massachusetts and Minnesota
Officials with Oregon’s exchange say they will choose between repairing the existing system or going to the federal exchange by month’s end. In Massachusetts, an executive appointed by Gov. Deval Patrick to fix the problems says she will make recommendations by next month and in Minnesota, Deloitte Consulting has a pending deal to fix that state’s exchange.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
House Passes Budget With Big Medicare, Medicaid Changes
The plan would reduce spending by $5.1 trillion over 10 years and includes an overhaul of both Medicare and Medicaid as well as cuts to other government programs. It would also repeal the health law but stands little chance of passing in the Senate.
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, Louisiana, California, Maine, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, Georgia, Iowa and New York.
This week’s health policy studies come from Health Affairs, Annals of Family Medicine, JAMA Surgery, the Urban Institute, The Kaiser Family Foundation, the American Journal of Medicine, Rand Corp. and the University of Minnesota.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details about the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as well as coverage of her likely successor, Sylvia Mathews Burwell.
As Sebelius Plans Departure, Challenges Remain For Successor
Sources said that Kathleen Sebelius decided to resign and was not “forced out.”
Details — And Limits — Of Medicare Billing Data Emerge
News outlets begin to analyze the wealth of information now available as a result of Wednesday’s release by the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services of a trove of payment records. They also note the limits.
Analysis Of Medicare Pay Shows Variations In Drugs Used And Earnings By Specialists
The Washington Post examines how drugs administered by doctors is different in various regions of the country. Other outlets look at other issues, including how eye doctors are among the highest paid specialty.
