Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: February 22, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how governors are changing their views on the health law’s Medicaid expansion and other implementation news.
Feds Outline What Insurers Must Cover
The final rule on essential health benefits, issued yesterday, defines what must be covered in health plans sold in online marketplaces beginning this fall, including prescription benefits and mental health services, and prohibits discrimination based on age or pre-existing medical conditions.
Medicaid Expansion Divides GOP Governors
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is the latest Republican executive to reverse his opposition to the health law’s Medicaid expansion. Some other fervent opponents, however — among them, Rick Perry of Texas and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana — continue to hold the line.
North Dakota, Kansas Join List Of States Considering Further Abortion Restrictions
An abortion clinic fights to stay open amid new proposed restrictions in North Dakota while Kansas lawmakers spar over new proposed restrictions on using state money for the procedure in that state.
Study Finds Bariatric Surgery Does Not Reduce Long-Term Medical Costs
Research disputes widely-held beliefs that the weight-loss operations cut the need for treatments and medicine after patients shed pounds.
Major Doctor Group Coalition Expands List Of Overused Tests, Treatments
The American Board of Internal Medicine, as part of its “Choosing Wisely” campaign, expanded the number of medical societies recommending caution before certain tests and procedures are ordered.
Looming Cuts Fuel Debate Over Medicare And Medicaid Spending
As the March 1 deadline for the sequester approaches, news outlets analyze the impact budget cuts might have on the U.S. economy in general and on Medicare specifically.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Calif. Lawmakers To Consider Health Insurance Market Rules
A selection of health policy stories from Florida, California, Colorado, Oregon and Arizona.
Weekend Reading: Why A Trip To The ER Costs More Than A College Semester
This week’s articles come from The New York Times, MedPage Today, The Atlantic, Forbes, Mother Jones and National Review.
Gov. Scott’s Medicaid Decision Riles Conservatives
The Florida governor’s move to expand Medicaid under the health law disappoints some of his supporters, but one newspaper praises the decision.
Amid Budget Woes, States Consider Changes To Care For Developmentally Disabled
Fiscal concerns have lawmakers in New York and Kansas considering changes in how they fund care for the developmentally disabled.
First Edition: February 21,2 013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Obama administration’s final rule on essential health benefits and about Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s reversal on his state’s Medicaid expansion.
Fla. Gov. Rick Scott’s Turnaround: ‘Expand Access To Medicaid’
The governor, a Republican who has been a strong critic of the federal health law, endorses expanding the state’s Medicaid rolls under that law. The announcement came just hours after CMS approved Florida’s plan on Medicaid managed care.
Administration Sets New Rule On Essential Health Benefits
The Obama administration has released the final rule on essential health benefits, which sets the parameters for the types of benefits that must be offered by insurers starting in 2014. KHN is tracking the news coverage.
Plans, Partisan Rhetoric Fly In Countdown To March 1 Cuts
News outlets report how spending reductions will impact health care programs. Meanwhile, in hopes of creating momentum toward a compromise, Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles on Tuesday unveiled a $2.4 trillion proposal that includes $600 billion in spending reductions to health-care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
State Roundup: N.H. Governor Wants Taxpayers To Foot Part Of Charity Care Bill
A selection of health policy stories from New Hampshire, Alabama, Tennessee, Maryland, Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.
Feds Will Run At Least 26 Health Insurance Marketplaces
Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News reports that private companies have won lucrative contracts to build the information technology infrastructure of the online marketplaces, also known as exchanges.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
Push For Electronic Medical Records Leads To Profits For Some Companies
The New York Times reports on this marketplace development related to health information technology.
