Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Nurse Practitioners Juggle Scope-Of-Practice Issues With Providing Care
A study published last week, for instance, notes that although scope-of-practice laws might not restrict nurse pratitioners’ ability to provide primary care, it does impact how they are paid.
Roundup: Mass. Health Costs May Start Accelerating Again
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Minnesota, California, New York and North Carolina.
Commission Urges Changing Medicare Physician Payment
The panel, the National Commission on Physician Payment Reform, released a dozen recommendations to ultimately change how physicians are paid.
Much Anticipation Surrounds Push To Bring More Transparency To Medicine
The Obama administration unveiled final regulations last week regarding the “release of payments data in September 2014 [that] would mark a milestone in the push to bring transparency to medicine,” according to ProPublica.
States Continue To Formulate Medicaid Expansion Strategies
As the Obama administration gives some states the OK to pursue alternatives to the health law’s Medicaid expansion, the shape of the debate in state legislatures changes.
Hospital Costs Under Microscope
An article that appeared in Time Magazine, “Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us,” has fueled a new round of discussions about health care cost excesses — especially in the hospital setting.
Automatic Budget Cuts Lead GOP To Sharpen Focus On Medicare Cost-Cutting
With the deadline for averting sequestration having come and gone, lawmakers and the White House are jockeying for position in the next round of budget battles.
Health Law Implementation Largely Untouched By Automatic Spending Cuts
The Associated Press reports that only a small fraction of the overhaul’s funding is subject to the sequester’s cuts. Meanwhile, the Obama administration indicates that insurers will have to report rate increases no matter how small and offers rules to clarify other provisions.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including an array of stories about various aspects of the health law as well as continuing coverage of sequestration and the federal budget impasse.
The Clock Runs Out On Averting Sequestration
Time ticked down to March 1 — also known as sequestration D-day — without the White House and lawmakers finding a way to avert the scheduled cuts.
Health Law Implementation Likely To Proceed – Despite Sequester’s Cuts To Other Health Programs
Meanwhile, news outlets report on how the health law is “reshaping” the health care marketplace and how the measure’s medical device tax continues to be a point of contention.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Idaho Lawmakers Consider Allowing Doctors To Order Teens With Severe Mental Illness Held
Lawmakers in Texas are also considering changes to their mental health program: greater funding to treat mental illness and more training for their teachers.
Hip Implant Safety At Issue In High-Stakes Trial
The Los Angeles Times reports on the courtroom developments related to a legal challenge brought by a consumer against J&J.
Improvements Needed To Safeguard Medical Records
Medpage Today reports on this development related to health information technology.
GOP Bills Would Kill Health Law’s Employer Mandate
The legislation, which has little chance of passage, would undo requirements that large employers offer workers insurance or pay a fine. Meanwhile, two Senate committees examine changes to Medicare.
Ark. Lawmakers Override Veto Of Bill Banning Most Abortions After 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy
The chamber also approved a bill — and sent it to Gov. Mike Beebe — that would ban most abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected — typically after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
State Lawmakers Consider Bills To Establish Health Exchanges
Also in the news, data indicate the federal government will ultimately be running the insurance marketplaces for the states that have the highest rates of uninsured residents.
D.C., N.Y. Hospitals Consider New Team-Ups, Merger
Health systems and hospitals in Washington and New York City are joining forces: In Washington, health systems are forming a bond they say will improve pediatric care. In New York, a merger of hospitals is proposed.
