Latest KFF Health News Stories
Va. Gov. McDonnell Sends Sebelius A Stern Message On Medicaid Expansion
Meanwhile, Iowa’s governor offers an outline of his alternative expansion plan while Ohio officials continue to press federal officials for flexibility.
Minn. House’s Exchange Bill Faces Challenges With Senate And Governor
The plan to create a state insurance marketplace includes some abortion restrictions that are expected to meet resistance.
High Court To Consider Whether Drug Company Deals Restrain Trade
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments March 25 in a case that pits drug companies, generic and branded, against government officials.
Mental Health News: Ore. Lawmakers Make Children’s Funding Push
Lawmakers and officials from Oregon, Connecticut and around the nation deal with treating and paying for how they treat the mentally ill.
Feds To Kick Off Campaign To Reach Uninsured In July
Politico reports that the Obama administration will begin a pitch to enroll the uninsured beginning in July. Other media outlets explore how the sequester won’t interrupt the startup of the health law’s new fees and taxes, and how Republicans hope to eliminate those through a tax overhaul.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Lawmakers in the state House could as early as Wednesday follow the example of their Senate counterparts to override Ark. Gov. Mike Beebe’s veto of a bill that would ban most abortions in that state after 12 weeks of pregnancy. If it becomes law, it will become one of the most restrictive laws on abortion in the nation.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including big-picture reports about the impact of spending cuts and the current state of the budget impasse.
Activists, Lawmakers Wrestle With Medicaid Expansion
This aspect of the health law is a hot topic in Texas, Florida, California and Missouri — among other places. Meanwhile, a Medicare trustee questions the viability of the federal funding commitment.
Minn. House Passes Bill To Create A Health Exchange
An amendment restricting abortion coverage was also approved. In Connecticut, the state awarded a contract to handle its exchange to a company that has come under fire in the state before.
EHR ‘Information Overload’ Can Mean Doctors Overlook Key Test Results
Researchers report that nearly 30 percent of doctors responding to a survey say they have failed to notice important test results because of the deluge of information available with electronic records.
State Roundup: Medicaid Safety-Net Struggles In Kansas
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, California, Arizona and Kansas.
Across The Nation, C-Section Rates Show Wide Variation
C-sections, a very common operating room procedure, can boost the cost of delivery from about $9,000 for a vaginal birth to $13,000.
Explaining The Factors Behind Health Care Spending’s Modest Increases
USA Today analyzes this trend and details some of the reasons that could be driving it.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Texas Clergy Asks Lawmakers To Boost Women’s Health Funding
Elsewhere, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo links the fight for women’s rights to his proposed abortion legislation, and Arkansas’ governor vetoes a bill that would ban most abortions at 12 weeks, setting up another override fight in that state.
IG: Lack Of Clarity On ‘Conflicts Of Interest’ May Impact Medicare Coverage Decisions
The New York Times reports that large amounts of money are in play.
After Sequester, What Comes Next?
News outlets report that the next step for some GOP lawmakers will revolve around a budget plan that will end deficits by 2023. Along those lines, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has suggested a change in his Medicare plan.
Automatic Cuts To Take Toll On Community Health Centers
Estimates suggest these centers will serve about 900,000 fewer patients in 2013 because of the sequester.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how health programs might fair in the context of efforts to balance the budget.
