Latest KFF Health News Stories
Penn. Medicaid Enrollees Face Reductions In Dental Coverage
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, dental therapists are helping to meet the need for care.
Health Law Implementation Issues Set Scene For State-Level Policy Action
Virginia’s attorney general outlines his take on the fiscal dangers that the health law’s Medicaid expansion will cause. Meanwhile, Michigan lawmakers will consider the creation of a state-based health exchange. Also, in Georgia, a year-long effort to revamp the state’s Medicaid program is on hold as one leader says it would be “imprudent” to move forward while so many uncertainties are in play.
Viewpoints: ‘Tug Of War’ Over Medicaid Expansion; Bill Keller Debunks 5 ‘Obamacare’ Myths
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Health Clinics Prepare For Jump In Demand; States Face ‘Rough Job’ With Health Exchanges
Across the health care delivery system, providers are preparing for the increased demand for services that the health law will create. Health clinics will likely play an important role.
American Women Fare Worse In Health Coverage Than Those In 10 Countries With Universal Care
Medscape reports on this finding from a new Commonwealth Fund report.
Preventive Services Task Force Makes Waves
USA Today reports on how the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has challenged certain conventions in medical practice.
State Roundup: Some N.Y. Hospitals Don’t Carry Malpractice Insurance
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Massachusetts, Mississippi, California, Georgia, Oregon and Colorado.
Health Law Continues To Be Challenge For Romney Campaign
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney continues to confront issues about the similarities between the health reform he signed while Massachusetts governor and the 2010 federal health law. Meanwhile, The Associated Press reports about some of Romney’s potential running mates and key issues in the campaign.
Health Benefits: Different Circumstances For Public- And Private-Sector Workers
The Wall Street Journal examines the benefits gap between state and local government employees and their counterparts in the private sector. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that Consolidated Edison has reinstated health insurance for New York workers locked out during contract negotiations.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of reports from the past weekend’s meeting of the National Governors Association in Williamsburg, Va., and how the nation’s state executives continue to wrestle with what to do next after the Supreme Court’s decision on the health law’s Medicaid expansion.
Expansion Of Medicaid Is Key Issue As Governors Meet In Va.
Both Republicans and Democrats are cautious in their approach to the federal effort to bring more people into the Medicaid system.
Governors’ Concerns Continue To Surface About Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion
Though much of the dust-up following the Supreme Court’s Medicaid decision has come from Republican governors vowing to opt out of the expansion, news outlets report that some Democratic governors also have concerns. Meanwhile, Kentucky became the 13th state to say it would set up its own online insurance exchange where individuals and small businesses could shop for coverage beginning in 2014.
Polls: Public Views Health Law As A Tax, Opinions Divided Along Party Lines
A Quinnipiac poll finds that most people view the health law as a tax increase, while a survey by the Pew Research Center for People and the Press not only found that the public is sharply divided over the law, but in regard to the court, too.
Malpractice Payments Decline For Eighth Consecutive Year
Medscape reports that jury awards and settlements made on behalf of doctors declined in 2011, based on a study by Public Citizen.
Study: Online Medical Records — Accessible By Patients — May Aid Preventive Care
Reuters reports on a study that suggests patients who use “interactive” health records are more likely to be up-to-date on recommended immunizations and screening tests.
State Roundup: Stark Price Differences At Calif. Hospitals
A selection of health policy stories from California, Massachusetts and Florida.
Minn. Attorney General Files New Paperwork To Support Accretive Lawsuit
The Minnesota attorney general, who is suing Accretive Health over its patient bill-collection practices, filed a memorandum in federal court citing additional patient claims to buttress the action against the debt-collector.
Democratic Candidates Claim They Are Now On ‘Offense’ In The Health Debate
News outlets report on how the messaging battles are taking shape, both in terms of the presidential and congressional campaigns.
Health Groups Brace For Sequester, Ask Congress To Undo Scheduled Cuts
Hospital groups are planning lobbying efforts to convince lawmakers to cancel a 2 percent Medicare cut that would kick in next January. Meanwhile, 3,000 groups signed a 64-page letter expressing concern about the impact of non-defense discretionary spending reductions.
Ariz. Abortion Law Challenged In Lawsuit; Mo. Gov. Vetoes Contraception Bill
News outlets look at these developments in states and also assess overall efforts this year by state legislatures to restrict abortions as some states to continue to press against the Obama administration’s contraceptive coverage mandate.
