Latest KFF Health News Stories
Bipartisan Report Focuses On Issues Driving Up Health Care Costs
The Bipartisan Policy Center hopes to educate the public and Congress about the causes of health inflation.
CBO: More People Than Expected Will Face Health Law’s Penalty
The Congressional Budget Office now estimates that nearly six million people – two million more than previously thought – will face penalties for not getting health insurance as a result of the 2010 health law.
Administration Touts Thriving Medicare Advantage Under Health Law
Enrollment in the private plans is projected to increase 11 percent next year, while premiums hold steady, officials say, disproving predictions made by critics of the health care law.
Drug Co. Execs Say Cost-Containment Pressures Undermine Medical Innovation
Executives such as the Bayer CEO said this kind of pressure could hamper efforts to bring new meds to market.
New Okla. Challenge To Health Law Zeros In On Tax Penalties And Subsidies
In a new legal challenge, the state’s attorney general is asking a federal court to rule that the law’s requirement that most people purchase insurance or face a tax penalty is inoperative in his state.
N.Y. Times Examines Why Many Kidneys Available For Transplant Are Discarded
In each of the past five years, more than 2,600 kidneys were recovered and discarded, according to government data.
Indiana Braces For The Costs Of Health Law’s Expanded Coverage
In addition to questions about costs from the health law’s Medicaid expansion, states are also wrestling with issues related to the creation of health exchanges and questions regarding essential benefits.
Study Finds Drug May Aid Some Autism Patients
The experimental drug can improve sociability in people who have fragile X syndrome and may help autism patients, the Los Angeles Times reports.
CMS Eyes Improper Medicare Payments For Power Wheelchairs
A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official testified on Capitol Hill Wednesday that 80 percent of this type of fee-for-service Medicare claim should not have been paid.
Layoffs Hit Group Health in Washington and Boston Children’s Hospital
Group Health Cooperative, a leader in innovations, insures about 600,000 in Washington state.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Alabama Voters Approve Moving Money From State Trust Fund To Balance Budget
Medicaid officials say the vote results will help prevents massive cuts that had been forecast.
State Roundup: HCA Fined For Kickbacks; Minn. Rural Health Care Investigation
A roundup of health policy news from Tennessee, Oregon, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington state, Minnesota and Tennessee.
New Census Data Show Insurance Coverage Expands In 20 States
Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont saw the biggest expansions, while Missouri and Montana saw declines in coverage. The biggest increases occurred among young adults between the ages of 19 and 25.
Presidential Campaigns Vie For Specific Voting Blocs
The New York Times reports that young adults are up for grabs in several key states. Meanwhile, both candidates are courting Hispanics. The Washington Post reports that women voters are key to President Barack Obama in Virginia.
Longer Looks: A ‘Renegade’ Bill Frist?; The Pharmacist’s Expanding Role
This week’s articles come from Politico, Fox Business, The Atlantic, The New York Times and the Detroit Free Press.
Romney Touts His Health Care Credentials
During a forum hosted by Univision, the GOP presidential nominee embraced his role as the “grandfather of Obamacare.” Elsewhere on the camapign trail, the Service Employees International Union launches a Medicare attack ad against the Romney-Ryan campaign and other Republicans.
First Edition: September 20, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the health law’s penalty for not obtaining health insurance could hit as many as 6 million people.
Romney’s ’47 Percent’ Fuels Talk Of Who Gets Tax Breaks, Aid
Some news outlets report how the remarks underscore different views of the role of government by President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, Romney attempts to deflect criticism by going on the offensive, saying his comments help define the choice before voters.
Polls Offer Windows Into Campaign Challenges, Dynamics
A new round of polls indicates that, with seven weeks left of campaigning, President Barack Obama appears to be edging out GOP candidate Mitt Romney. However, the findings also highlight the political forces that could work for and against each candidate.
