Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
House Republicans Seeking IRS Response On Health Law Subsidies
Prominent GOP committee chairmen are looking for documents that could affect the Internal Revenue Service rule about subsidies on the federal health insurance exchanges.
First Edition: December 18, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about some of the health program specifics involved in offers traded in the ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations.
Boehner Offers Tax Increases In Exchange For $1 Trillion in Cuts To Social Benefit Programs
The latest offer by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, is seen as progress in the negotiations between Congress and the White House, but in return Boehner is asking for significant cuts in Medicare and other programs.
Democrats Wary Of Medicare Benefits Cuts Being Discussed In Fiscal Talks
Talk of hiking costs for wealthier beneficiaries and increasing the program’s eligibility age appear to make some Democrats nervous and may be causing difficulties in the Democratic caucus.
Marketplace: Hospitals Work On Insurance Arms; Walgreen Eyes Hospice Business
The Wall Street Journal reports on how hospitals, in anticipation of changes that will result from the health law, are branching out to start their own insurance plans. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports that the Walgreen Co. plans to re-enter the hospice business.
Legal Settlement Paves Way For Medicare To Cover More Home Care
The Wall Street Journal reports on this development.
Turning Small Errors Into Bigger Ones: A Problem For EHRs
Medpage Today reports that electronic health records could spread errors further than paper-based systems.
HHS Left With Key Task Of Setting Up Insurance Exchange For More Than Half The States
More than 30 states are opting to not build the insurance marketplaces that are at the center of the health overhaul, so the job will be left to the federal government.
School Shootings Raise Questions About Adequacy, Availability of Mental Health Care
President Barack Obama said at a prayer service Sunday that he would engage in a dialogue with all Americans, including law enforcement and mental health professionals, about how to curb rising gun violence, but psychiatrists say it’s difficult to identify who among the mentally ill is likely to be truly dangerous.
‘Obamacare’ Roundup: Contraception Mandate, ‘Grandfathered Plans’ Face Challenges In 2013
A roundup of news on some of the challenges the health law’s provisions face in the new year.
Poll: Cost Of Care Causes 3 In 10 Americans To Skip Necessary Medical Treatment
A Gallup Poll finds that 32 percent of Americans said they had to put off care for themselves or a family member over the past year because of finances — and that’s the highest percentage in 12 years.
State Roundup: Some Medical Students Forced To Change Course After Sandy
A selection of health policy stories from New York, North Carolina, Connecticut, Wisconsin and Colorado.
In Calif., Will Court-OK’d Pay Reductions Make It Harder For Poor To Get Care?
Some worry that California’s Medicaid expansion could be hampered by reduced payments to Medi-Cal providers that a court approved last week, making it more difficult for the poor to find specialists. Meanwhile, other states consider extending Medicaid coverage for some residents.
System To Curb Medicare Fraudulent Payments Saves $115 Million
The Associated Press reports on the savings and investigations spurred by new Medicare fraud detection system.
Viewpoints: Raising Medicare’s Entitlement Age Doesn’t Save Money; New Anti-Fraud Efforts
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
First Edition: December 17, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including weekend updates regarding the fiscal cliff negotiations as well as news regarding states’ decisions on health exchanges.
Raising Medicare’s Eligibility Age Is Tough Issue For Democrats
Though one leading Senate Democrat has signaled that the idea of raising Medicare’s eligibility is off the negotiating table, it’s not clear where this bargaining chit stands.
Partisan Differences Persist On Taxes And Medicare, Other Entitlement Programs
Meanwhile, news outlets report that some Senate Republicans are working on a back-up plan that would cancel certain tax increases scheduled to take effect next year for most Americans.
State News: Calif. Health Care Special Session Priorities; Nurse Practitioner Role Debated In Minn.
A selection of health policy stories from Michigan, California, Kansas and Minnesota.
