Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

FDA, Docs, Consumers Scrutinizing Medical Apps

Morning Briefing

Consumers are increasingly relying on mobile applications to monitor their own health as some question whether the FDA can evaluate the apps fast enough.

Texas Budget Cutting Causes Closure Of 50 Clinics Offering Family Planning Services

Morning Briefing

In the meantime, Missouri has fined Aetna $1.5 million for failing to allow employers to opt-out of contraception coverage in their plans, and Virginia’s Attorney General approves new regulations on abortion clinics.

First Edition: September 27, 2012

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the health law and Medicare are buzz words in public opinion polls and on the campaign trail.

AP Poll: Most Americans Believe Health Law Will Be Implemented

Morning Briefing

The poll found that about seven in 10 people think the law will go into effect with adjustments. Some expect major changes, others, minor ones. Meanwhile, a new round of polls in the presidential contest finds President Barack Obama faring well in key states.

Deficit Continues To Be Test For Obama — With Debate About Medicare And Medicaid Central To Both Campaigns

Morning Briefing

The New York Times reports that with the deficit over $1 trillion, President Barack Obama and GOP presidential pick Mitt Romney propose different prescriptions, especially regarding government health programs. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports on how health firms are preparing for possible election outcomes.

Medicaid: Ark. Gov. Pushes Expansion, Maine Hunts For Savings

Morning Briefing

Arkansas’s governor is trying to use the health law’s Medicaid coverage expansion to prevent a GOP takeover of the state legislature, while Maine hunts for savings in its Medicaid program.

Can Rebate Checks Really Change Public Perception About The Health Law?

Morning Briefing

National Journal reports that although the checks are one of the earliest, tangible benefits for people with insurance, they are unlikely to alter the public view — in part because they have gone to only about 10 percent of households.

Hospitals Respond To Feds’ Warning About Electronic Records, Billing Fraud

Morning Briefing

Hospital industry groups responded Tuesday to the warning issued by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder, saying that the federal government shares part of the blame, because it hasn’t provided hospitals adequate guidance on billing for common services.

Report Details Ga. Mental Health Improvements

Morning Briefing

A new report shows improvement in Georgia’s mental health system, but problems persist. In the meantime in Colorado, new experiments try to combine mental and physical well-being to better care for patients.

Weekly Swing State Campaign Highlights: News From Penn., Fla., Ohio And N.C.

Morning Briefing

As election day approaches, Kaiser Health News’ Sarah Barr samples news coverage each week from swing states around the country

Study: For Children On Medicaid, Prescriptions Often Go Unfilled

Morning Briefing

Reuters reports that researchers found that 22 percent of nearly 17,000 kids’ prescriptions issued at two urban clinics were never filled.

Hatch Seeks More Exchange Details From Administration

Morning Briefing

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R- Utah, charged that states can’t make decisions about whether to pursue their own health insurance exchanges or to rely on the federal fallback version unless they have more information.