Latest KFF Health News Stories
Senators Urge HHS To Step Up Efforts To Curb Medicare Overpayments
The lawmakers pointed to a report showing a $70 million loss caused by overpayments on medical equipment, The Hill reports.
Oregon Offers Guide To States Eyeing Potential Of Putting Medicaid Enrollees In Private Insurance
In the last days of Georgia’s General Assembly, lawmakers eliminate cuts in Medicaid payments to providers, while the state’s Medicaid agency gives initial approval to a hospital fee. In Kansas, possible reductions in KanCare services draw advocates’ concern, and California’s Medi-Cal interpreters are pushed to unionize.
Research Roundup: Hospitals Will Benefit From Medicaid Expansion; Medicare’s Rising Costs
This week’s studies come from The Urban Institute, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Heritage Foundation, the Center for Studying Health System Change, The Kaiser Family Foundation and other news outlets.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of renewed interest between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans to find ways to cut Medicare costs.
How Much Will The Health Law Cost? Depends On Whom You Ask
Some restaurant chains now say the health law may not cost them so much after all — mostly because many employees either won’t qualify for coverage or may decline it. Meanwhile, analysis continues of a Society of Actuaries projection of big increases in medical claims costs for insurers in the individual market. And the Associated Press examines President Barack Obama’s promises regarding health care.
Tenn. Governor Refuses To Expand Medicaid
Gov. Bill Haslam said he wants to expand health insurance coverage for low-income residents, but “on his own terms” by enrolling large numbers in private insurance plans. Media outlets also track developments in Texas, Arizona and Virginia, where pollsters find opinion about the expansion divided along party, gender and racial lines.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
Physicians React To New N.D. Abortion Laws
Meanwhile, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant nominates anti-abortion activist to state board.
Another Date Night On Tap For Obama, GOP Senators
With budget issues — including changes to Medicare and Medicaid — still very much in play, President Barack Obama is planning another outing with Republican lawmakers in an effort to build relationships and smooth the path for possible negotiations this summer.
Drug Costs And Pricing Issues Touch Hospitals, Independent Pharmacies
NPR reports on how one hospital made what is termed an “unusual decision” — it chose to not stock a new drug because it was very costly.
Federal Court Weighs Calif. Progress On Mental Health Care For Prisoners
Federal Judge Lawrence Karlton must rule on the case by April 7.
Radiology Trainees Face Earning Challenges
The New York Times reports on this workforce development.
How Will Immigration Reform Intersect With Medicare?
In this pair of stories, news outlets examine whether immigration reform will stress the Medicare program as well as what hospitals are doing to address the health law’s Medicare Wage Index.
State Roundup: Calif. Report Card Shows Improved Care For Kids
The latest developments in health policy from California, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Texas.
Weekend Reading: Seniors Smoking Marijuana; Same-Sex Marriage And Public Health
This week’s articles come from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Forbes and the Los Angeles Times.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including various stories about the health law’s implementation at both the federal and state level.
Actuaries Project Health Law Will Boost Claims Costs 32 Percent
Although some states would see claims costs decline, the study by the Society of Actuaries forecasts that a majority will experience double-digit increases in the individual health insurance market. Officials in some states disputed the analysis, saying it was based on flawed data.
Sebelius: Some Insurance Costs Could Increase When Law Is Implemented
The HHS secretary’s remarks came as insurers are becoming increasingly jittery about how sweeping health law changes will impact the marketplace and on the same day that the Society of Actuaries released a study that predicted increased medical claims costs.
North Dakota Governor Signs Nation’s Most Restrictive Abortion Law
Gov. Jack Dalrymple, a Republican, signed three anti-abortion bills Tuesday, one of which bans abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detectable, which could be as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
Mental-Health System Feeling The Pinch Of Sequestration
MinnPost reports on how the automatic cuts will hit mental health programs hard because they come on top of other state-level reductions.
