Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
House GOP Seeks To Change Medicare Doctor Payment Formula
The chairmen of the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees want a permanent change to the current system that repeatedly threatens to cut doctor payments unless Congress steps in.
FDA Hears Concerns On New Narcotic Pain Pill Rules
Survivors of those who died from opioid overdoses urge changes in the drugs’ labels, but some patients express concerns that they might have trouble getting the drugs.
Christie Tries To Make Light Of His Weight But Then Gets Serious
The N.J. governor first teases David Letterman but later lashes out at a doctor who raises concerns about his girth.
Tavenner Nominated Again To Lead Medicare
President Obama asks the Senate to confirm the woman who is now acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Senators Offer Plan To Improve Mental Health Coverage
The bipartisan group’s plan would require community behavioral health centers to provide substance abuse treatment and 24-hour crisis care. In return, the centers could bill Medicaid for the services.
N.Y. Hospitals, Nursing Homes Coping With Sandy, Other Closure Problems
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, medical facilities are still coping with the after-effects.
HHS Turns Down Miss. Insurance Commissioner’s Bid For Exchange
Commissioner Mike Chaney wanted to set up a state-based marketplace for insurance to open next year as part of the health overhaul, but federal officials said the Mississippi governor’s opposition made it impossible for the exchange to function as required by law.
Obama Says He Will Not Stop Sequester By Simply Cutting Entitlements
In an address to Democratic lawmakers, the president says Republicans want to substitute the impending budget cuts by instead cutting Medicare and Social Security. But, he says closing tax loopholes is a better strategy.
Bishops Reject HHS Plan For Contraception Coverage
The Catholic leaders say that the compromise doesn’t offer enough safeguards for religious institutions and that they will continue to fight the administration on the mandate.
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the American Journal of Psychiatry, the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved and other news sources.
First Edition: February 8, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about Marilyn Tavenner’s nomination to run Medicare and the Catholic bishops’ rejection of the Obama administration’s contraception plan announced last week.
Michigan’s Rick Snyder Becomes Sixth GOP Governor To Back Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion
News outlets examine the political dynamics spurring some former opponents of the law to sign onto one of its most significant provisions.
AARP Opposes Bill That Would Allow Insurers To Charge Older People More
The powerful seniors lobby says it cannot support proposals that would let premiums go higher for older beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the administration announces that a health program for low- and moderate-income people, which is optional for states, will not be able to start until 2015.
CVS Caremark Profits Up In Fourth Quarter
The retail pharmacy gained customers and weathered the wave of generic drugs recently has been hurting topline growth for drugstores and pharmacy benefits managers.
Lawmaker Advances Bill To Create FDA Office Of Wireless Health
The Wall Street Journal has a Q&A with the California lamaker who represents the Silicon Valley and has offered this proposal.
Report: The Number Of Americans With Alzheimer’s Will Almost Triple By 2050
The government-funded report projects the Alzheimer’s cases will rise from 5 million to about 13.8 million, thereby straining the nation’s health care system.
Federal, State Officials Seek Ways To Preserve MinnesotaCare
Officials have been working to preserve — after the federal health law takes effect — this health insurance program for lower-income residents who lack coverage through their jobs.
Health Care Action At State Capitols: Hospital Fees, Nurses’ Prescribing Power
Lawmakers around the country consider a bevy of bills related to health policy.
Health Law Provisions Saved Seniors $5.7B On Rx Drugs
USA Today reports that the Obama administration will announce this figure today.
