Latest KFF Health News Stories
Retiree Health Care Costs Have Mass., Calif. Officials Seeking Change
Budget issues continue to force officials to seek ways to cut their health care bills, especially for retirees. Massachusetts and California are the latest to seek solutions to these inflating costs.
State Roundup: Mental Health Care Changes In Conn.
A selection of health policy stories from Connecticut, the District of Columbia, California, Oregon, Arkansas, Florida and Kansas.
First Edition: January 14, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the health care marketplace and about the issues being raised by this year’s intense flu epidemic.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller To Retire At End Of Term
KHN tracked news coverage Friday of the announcement by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., that he will pass on making a bid for a sixth Senate term.
Among those that gained approval is the South Florida ACO, which has an integrated care model that includes 75 doctors and the Walgreens drug store chain.
S.D., N.M. Governors Take Opposing Tacks On Medicaid Expansion
Meanwhile, a key Georgia Republican lays out her party’s reasons for opposing expansion, while California releases its cost estimate. Also in the news, Ohio and the Obama administration clash over high-risk pool eligibility, while Utah’s exchange appears to be in limbo.
Two articles examine different efforts to improve medical care.
This Year’s Flu Season Could Add To Economy’s Woes
Economists are predicting that this year’s unusually early and strong flu season could be a drain on the current quarter’s GDP numbers.
Obama Signs Bill Changing How Medicare Collects Money In Negligence Cases
The bill had bipartisan support and could help beneficiaries who sometimes wait months for injury-related settlements.
Analysis: Conversion To EHRs Having Mixed Results — At Best
The New York Times reports on an anaylsis done by the RAND Corporation that finds digital health records are not producing the hoped-for cost-savings or system efficiency.
State Highlights: Mental Health Reforms Take Shape In Kan., Colo.
A selection of health policy stories from New York, California, Kansas, Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida and Georgia.
Texas, Planned Parenthood Continue Legal Battle
Arguments will be held today regarding the organization’s participation in the Texas Women’s Health Program. In other news, attorneys for Hobby Lobby — which has been a staunch opponent of the health law’s birth control mandate — says the company has found a way to delay complying with this requirement.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Small Businesses, Individuals May Experience Sticker Shock Over Health Insurance Premiums
Politico reports that some insurance companies that sell policies to small businesses and individuals are already factoring in health law fees that will kick in in 2014. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal notes that some big insurers are moving “cautiously” toward state-based health exchanges.
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs and The Kaiser Family Foundation and other news sources.
First Edition: January 11, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on developments in the health care marketplace as well as state health policy and budget news.
Obama Taps White House Chief Of Staff To Head Treasury
News outlets report that although Jack Lew is known as a deficit hawk, he has been a defender of Medicaid and other safety net programs.
States Continue Efforts To Advance Health Exchanges
States look for creative ways to publicize the online marketplaces where people can shop for and purchase coverage beginning next fall. Meanwhile, Minnesota legislators introduce a measure to set up such a market, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott releases new, much smaller estimates of the cost of expanding that state’s Medicaid program.
Fiscal Cliff Boosts Clinical Data Registries, But Cuts Some Health Care Payments
CQ HealthBeat reports on a provision of the fiscal cliff law intended to encourage physicians to submit data to registries that could be a tool to promote better quality care. The Medicare NewsGroup analyzes another provision that changes how payments are calculated for end stage renal disease drugs.
U.S. Trails 16 Other Affluent Countries In Life Expectancy, Health Status
The federally sponsored report looked at a wide variety of health measures, including the rates of obesity, diabetes, heart and lung diseases, infant mortality, injuries, homicidies and sexually transmitted diseases.
