Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Care Programs A Clear Target In Deficit Reduction Efforts
As negotiators debate proposals to trim entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, stakeholders ranging from public hospitals to physician groups lobby to protect their interests.
Overlap In Competing Budget Proposals Points Way To Deal
The Associated Press reports the White House and House Republicans have identified areas of significant overlap that could form the basis for an agreement after posturing gives way to actual bargaining.
Studies Gauge Health Law’s Impact On Consumer Savings, Rx Drug Coverage
The Commonwealth Fund concluded that consumers saved $1.5 billion in 2011 as a result of a provision that limits how much insurers can spend on expenses not related to medical care. Meanwhile, Avalere Health found that drug coverage plans offered on health exchanges will vary by state.
UnitedHealth Report Examines How Doctors Get Paid
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the report – due out today – analyzes the savings as well as likely pitfalls to adopting a number of different methods to move away from the current “fee-for-service” approach.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Hospitals’ Medicare Claims Lawsuit
Politico reports on the case brought by 18 hospitals seeking compensation for claims dating back to 1987.
Poorer Cancer Patients Less Likely To Have Access To Experimental Drug Trials
Reuters reports on the findings from a new study from the United Kingdom.
Health Stocks Embraced Amid Market Uncertainty
The Wall Street Journal reports that following President Barack Obama’s re-election, health stocks are viewed as a port in the storm. Other news outlets explore how the markets have remained stable during the ‘fiscal cliff’ negotiations as investors count on an eleventh-hour deal.
Few New Doctors Choose Primary Care
Less than a quarter of new doctors are choosing primary care as their specialty, even after finishing residency programs focused on internal medicine, a new study reports.
Government Announces Fraud Collections Hit Record $5 Billion
A large portion of the money came from health care probes.
States Continue Sorting Out Choices About Health Exchanges, Medicaid Expansion
Kansas, South Dakota and Texas are among the states still making decisions — or reconsidering old ones — about the health law’s insurance exchanges and the Medicaid expansion.
Olive Garden’s Parent Company Lowers Earnings Estimate After Health Law Comments
Restaurant officials say that earlier statements about the costly effects of the health overhaul have contributed to a reduction in revenues.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Roundup: Florida Health Law Battles Take New Turn
A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina and Oregon.
First Edition: December 5, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest on the looming fiscal crisis as well as market developments and health policy news from the states.
GOP Counteroffer Would Raise Medicare’s Eligibility Age To 67
The Republican marker, which was almost immediately rebuffed by the White House, includes cuts to federal safety net programs, but does not meet the president’s “test of balance” because it rejects tax increases for the wealthy.
Trouble Spot In Fiscal Talks: The Down Payment
Although there appears to be general agreement about the scope of tax code and entitlement changes that would begin next year and tally more than $1 trillion over 10 years, the initial installment of deficit reduction has become a sticking point between the White House and GOP leaders. Meanwhile, the Washington Post checks the facts on entitlement “spending cuts.”
Viewpoints: David Brooks’ Formula To Avoid Cliff; Krugman Says Control Costs, Don’t Cut Coverage
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Lawmakers Consider Health Coverage For Illegal Immigrants’ Children
Members of Congress spotlight the health risks associated with bed rails and demand that federal health care programs cover the children of illegal immigrants who are able to stay in the U.S. under the administration’s deferred-action immigration policy.
Tennessee Nursing-Care Company Charged With Medicare Fraud
The Wall Street Journal reports that the company “systematically defrauded” Medicare of millions, according to an unsealed federal complaint.
Software To Curb Hospital Readmissions?
The Wall Street Journal reports on how transaction analytics software is being used by UMass Memorial to reduce patient readmissions.
