Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Lesson For Insurance Exchanges From Europe
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, JAMA Pediatrics, The Kaiser Family Foundation and news outlets.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a new study measuring how the health law has expanded young adults’ access to care.
Obama Uses Budget To Inch Closer To ‘Grand Bargain’ With GOP
The budget blueprint, released Wednesday, includes what the president called “manageable” curbs on Medicare spending growth, but GOP congressional leaders were dismissive, while some Democrats were unsettled.
Obama Budget Would Replace SGR Formula, Boost Medicaid, Mental Health
Among the changes included in the president’s 2014 budget blueprint are funding boosts for mental health and food and drug safety as well as the elimination of the SGR formula to set Medicare physician payment rates. The proposal also delays funding cuts to hospitals that treat the uninsured.
Fewer Employees Getting Health Insurance At Work, But Those That Do Pay More
A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report found that employer-sponsored coverage fell from 69 to 60 percent between 1999 and 2010.
Some Drug Makers Cut Payments, Meals Provided To Doctors
The Wall Street Journal reports on this development.
Budget Plan Would Allow Federal Employees To Add Same-Sex Partners To Their Health Plans
The Obama blueprint would create beginning in 2015 a “self plus one” category within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
Mayo CEO’s Comments Draw Minn. Lawmaker Criticism; Other Marketplace News
In merger and acquisition news, a proposed merger between two health systems in Minnesota begins to fall apart, and a deal for a hospital purchase advances in Massachusetts.
More Details: Paying For Insurance Exchanges, Other Health Law Provisions
According to the Obama administration’s 2014 budget document, the federal government will spend about $4 billion on federal- and state-run marketplaces for individual and small businesses purchasing insurance coverage.
State Highlights: Blue Shield Could Lose Contract For Calif. Workers, Retirees
A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Oregon, Florida and Minnesota.
Ohio Gov. Vows To Keep Trying On Medicaid Expansion; Ark. Lawmakers Near Key Votes On Issue
The Ohio House is dropping expansion from Gov. John Kasich’s budget while he says hospitals and other stakeholders must help in the effort to expand the health care program for low-income people. Meanwhile, supporters of an expansion try to rally support in Arkansas.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Global Obesity, Health Care Cost Transparency, A Medical Puzzle
This week’s articles come from The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The Washington Post and Health Affairs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details regarding how Medicare and Medicaid, as well as funding for the health law’s implementation, fared in President Barack Obama’s budget plan.
Obama’s $3.7T Spending Plan Would Cut $370B From Medicare
Despite the White House’s effort to find middle ground, news outlets report that its proposal to raise $580B by limiting tax benefits for top earners is angering some Republicans, while cuts to entitlement programs are angering some Democrats.
Tavenner Moves Closer To Senate Confirmation To Head CMS
Marilyn Tavenner, who has been the acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services since 2011, received a warm reception from Democrats and Republicans alike during a Tuesday Senate Finance Committee hearing.
Kansas Joins Other States As Lawmakers Approve Bold New Abortion Restrictions
Analysis follows Kansas lawmakers’ decision to place bold new restrictions on abortion, including defining life as beginning at conception. Gov. Sam Brownback is expected to sign the bill. Also, Alaska lawmakers also pass their own bill further restricting abortion.
House Panel Plans Review Of Federal Employee Health Plan
The Hill reports that a House Oversight subcommittee will likely debate possible changes to federal employee health benefits — just two months after a pay freeze was put in place. Also in the news, Politico reports on how the mental health agenda has lost some momentum.
HHS Announces $54M For ‘Navigators’ To Help Consumers Use Insurance Exchanges
The $54 million to hire and train people to help the uninsured sign up for coverage will be distributed to groups in 33 states based on their number of uninsured. Texas and Florida, for instance, with almost nine million uninsured, will get $14 million.
The Truth About The 2 Percent Medicare Sequestration Cuts
News outlets examine what can be done about cuts to Medicare payments to cancer clinics, among others. And the IPAB deadline is three weeks away.
