Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Latest Fraud Target: Medicaid Personal-Care Programs
Medicaid personal-care programs are emerging as a prime target for fraud, according to a report to be released today.
Employer Health Costs Rise 4.1% — Slowest Growth In 15 Years
Employer health costs rose just 4.1 percent nationally in 2012 — the slowest rate of growth in 15 years — as employers offer more high-deductible plans and increase employee cost-sharing, a new report from consulting firm Mercer has found.
Pelosi Opts To Stay House Democratic Leader; GOP Selects Woman To House Leadership Team
Meanwhile, some Republicans are pushing for creation of a new health committee in the House.
Sebelius Subpoenaed To Answer Questions On Health Law Promotion
The GOP-controlled House Ways and Means Committee has subpoenaed Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to answer questions over how the administration is promoting the health law.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the nation.
FDA Chief Urges Greater Oversight Of Drug Compounders; Republicans Skeptical
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Wednesday questioned Food and Drug Administration head Margaret Hamburg and the co-owner of a compounding pharmacy linked with a deadly meningitis outbreak. Hamburg called for Congress to give the FDA greater oversight of compounding pharmacies, which was met with skepticism by Republican lawmakers.
Obama Pledges ‘Substantive Changes’ To Medicare As Part Of Budget Deal
President Barack Obama told some of the nation’s top CEOs Wednesday that he was committed to “substantive changes” to Medicare and other entitlement programs, but Senate Democrats are warning him not to cave on entitlements as negotiations with congressional leaders move forward. Also in the mix, health care providers lobby to counter possible Medicare cuts.
State Roundup: Medicaid Overruns Drive Budget Problems
News outlets report on health news in California, Connecticut, Colorado and Florida.
Longer Looks: Learning To Laugh In The Doc’s Office
This week’s articles come from The Los Angeles Times, The Miami Herald, The Daily Beast, American Medical News and The New York Times Magazine.
First Edition: November 15, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest details on states’ decisions about pursuing health exchanges as well as other political and policy developments.
Progressive Group Recommends $385 Billion In Health Cuts
Center for American Progress says proposal would be a better for health industry groups than cuts under sequestration.
Employer Health Costs Rise 4 Percent, Lowest Increase Since 1997
Furnishing new evidence of slower growth in health costs, consulting firm Mercer said Wednesday that employers spent 4.1 percent more on health benefits this year than in 2011.
Obama, GOP Leaders Stake Out Positions In ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Face-Off
President Barack Obama and GOP congressional leaders signal what they’re looking for in a budget deal to avert the looming “fiscal cliff,” offering their respective takes on tax increases, spending cuts and changes to entitlement programs.
States Wrestle With Health Exchange Decisions
Even as state officials decide whether they will set up online insurance markets or allow the Obama administration to do it for them, some wonder if the federal government is up to the task. Decisions about the health law’s Medicaid expansion are also on governors’ minds.
Hospitals Directed To Step Up Protections For Kidney Donors
The New York Times reports on a new action by the body that regulates transplants in the United States.
Alliance Of Medicare Providers Urge Link Between Payment Changes, Quality
The Premier healthcare alliance is urging that, if scheduled 2 percent cuts take effect, they not apply to hospitals that have already reduced costs.
ACO Tally Could Double By January, Says CMS Official
CQ Healthbeat reports on a prediction by a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official about how many accountable care organizations will contract with Medicare.
Subcommittee Chair Presses For Answers About Health IT-Related Injury
Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., says she has been waiting for the Department of Health and Human Services to respond to her questions for five months.
Despite Modest Improvement, Premature Birth Rates Cause Concern
A new report from the March of Dimes gives the U.S. a ‘C’ in preterm birth rate reductions.
Poll: Health Care Not Main Motivation For Voters Choosing President
Voters cited the health law as the third most important topic they considered — behind both the economy and personal characteristics of the candidates — when casting their presidential ballot last week, according to a new poll.
