Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Roundup: Texas Lawmakers Ready Health Budget
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Florida, New York, California, Kansas and Arizona.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Pharmacuetical Companies Eye Orphan Drugs As New Revenue Source
The New York Times reports that orphan drugs are increasingly being viewed as a business opporutnity.
Health Law Drawing Concern From Unexpected Source
The Wall Street Journal reports that the once strong-support from labor unions for the 2010 health law is growing tepid as certain provisions are being rolled out.
Medicaid News: Minn. Effort To Expand Program Praised
Officials in Texas, Oregon, Minnesota and California consider a myriad of changes to their Medicaid programs — including fitting maintenance or expansion of coverage for the poor into tightening budgets.
Market Demands Spur More Options For Senior Care
The Associated Press reports on this development.
Medicare Expands Competitive Bidding Program
The new prices will kick in July 1 and are expected to save on average 45 percent for products such as walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen equipment and other medical products.
Longer Looks: Dr. Oz, Deconstructed; Malpractice And Apology
Every week, Kaiser Health News reporter Ankita Rao selects interesting reading from around the Web.
First Edition: January 31, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on a new health law final rule issued by the Internal Revenue Service regarding eligibility and affordability standards for insurance subsidies.
GOP Leaders Increasingly Signal That Deep Spending Cuts Are Likely
The across-the-board spending reductions — also known as sequestration — scheduled for March 1 could play into the partisan politics of the broader budget debate that includes Medicare, Medicaid and other entitlement programs.
Tax Forms To Include Health Insurance Cost Info — Per Health Law Requirement
Today’s headlines also include coverage of other health law issues, such as student health plans and the health care workforce.
Post-Newtown Shooting, Conn. Dives Deep Into Examining Mental Health System
A legislative task force has been reviewing ways to prevent violence, improve school safety and study psychiatric commitment laws.
House Republicans Keep Target On Health Law’s Insurance Subsidies
Meanwhile, a new GOP lawmaker from Texas renews his pledge to undo “ObamaCare” while a senator focuses on workforce issues.
Nursing-Home Operators Face Credit Crunch
The Wall Street Journal reports that instability in the health care environment is making banks hesitant to loan money to nursing homes.
Viewpoints: Baker And Dingell Urge Efforts To Cut Gun Deaths; Doctors As Union Workers
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
CDC: Adult Vaccination Rates ‘Unacceptably Low’
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a “substantial increase” in immunizations for adults is necessary, especially regarding diseases such as pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis, shingles and whooping cough.
State Roundup: Ga. Hospital Fee Bill Nears Passage
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, California, New York, Texas, Kansas and Massachusetts.
States And The Health Law: Action On Insurance Exchanges, Medicaid Expansion
The Associated Press and other news outlets report on state action on the health law’s insurance exchanges as well as the Medicaid expansion.
First Payments Awarded From 9/11 Compensation Fund
Fifteen first responders received payments from a fund set up to compensate people who were sickened by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. So far, fewer applications have been received by the fund than officials estimated they would receive.
Texas Gov.’s Speech Disrupted By Protesters Demanding Medicaid Expansion
Leaders in New York City and Connecticut, meanwhile, struggle with health care spending obligations as they try to balance their budgets.
