Latest KFF Health News Stories
Officials Announce 89 More ACOs Caring For 1.2 Million On Medicare
The addition brings to 154 the total number of ACOs giving care to 2.4 million beneficiaries of Medicare. CMS says the program could save $940 million over four years.
Thousands Of Seasonal Firefighters Lack Health Insurance
The AP reports that these firefighters are now seeking the ability to buy into a federal government health plan.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including findings of a new Washington Post poll indicating Americans remain divided on the health law. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, cracks may be emerging in the Republican’s repeal effort.
ACO Rollout Continues With 89 New Networks
Now on KHN’s blog, CMS announced the selection of 89 new ACOs — more than triple the number selected in the previous round.
Capsules: CBO Crunches Budget Numbers; Some Employers Hold Back On Preparing For 2014
Also on the blog: CBO will release its estimate of the federal budgetary impact of the Supreme Court health law ruling at the end of July, and a new survey finds that some employers still intend to wait until after the November election to make plans for how to comply with the law.
Health Law Debate Returns To Center Stage In House
With lawmakers returning to Washington this week after the July 4 break, Republican leaders in the House have scheduled a vote — the 31st such attempt — to repeal the health law. The effort is not expected to get any traction in the Democrat-led Senate.
Could Insurance Rules Survive If GOP Goes After Health Law Through Budget Reconciliation?
Politico explores what might become of this element of the health law if Republicans win control of Congress and the White House and attempt to unwind the law through the same budget reconciliation process that Democrats used to pass it. Other parts of the law under GOP attack include the online insurance markets where individuals and small businesses could buy coverage and the provision of federal subsidies to help some people buy coverage.
Romney’s Stance On The Health Law Tax Is Blasted By Democrats, Scrutinized By GOP
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s reversal on whether the mandate is a tax has made him the target of intense Republican and Democratic scrutiny as the Supreme Court ruling on the health law proves a boon for the campaign bankrolls of both Romney and President Obama.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
Airline Files Suit To Stop Providing Health Benefits To Current Retirees
As part of a bankruptcy case in federal court, American Airlines and its parent company, AMR, are suing for the ability to stop providing health and life insurance benefits to retirees as a means to cut costs.
Consumer Reports Investigates Hospital Safety
The magazine offers its rankings of the safest and most dangerous hospitals based on six criteria.
Nurses Complain About Underemployment
Markeplace reports on the current state of the job market for new nurses.
Proposed Medicare Fee Schedule Includes Pay Increase For Primary Care, Family Docs
The proposed rule also would provide payment for care that helps patients make the transition back into the community following a discharge from a hospital or nursing facility.
For States, High Court’s Medicaid Ruling Creates Choices, Makes Waves
States are responding to the court’s decision in varying ways. Some interpretations are leading states to pare back their existing Medicaid programs, according to the Wall Street Journal. Others find themselves in limbo.
Roundup: Calif. Insurers To Lower Rate Hikes For Small Businesses
A selection of health policy stories from California and Massachusetts.
Medicaid News: La. Preps Managed Care Cuts; Fewer Texas Docs Accept New Patients
The Medicaid program in Louisiana is preparing to cut payments to providers who run its managed care program. In Texas, only 31 percent of doctors take new Medicaid patients, a survey says.
Federal Judge To Decide Wednesday On Miss. Abortion Law
The Republican-appointed judge is expected to rule this week whether to block a law that could effectively shutter the state’s only abortion clinic. Abortion politics could also affect the availability of services in Indiana and D.C.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about this week’s planned House vote to repeal the health law — the 31st such attempt.
Medicare Cuts, Competing Views On Overhaul Keep Health Issues Hot In Campaign
The New York Times looks at the “delicate pivot” for Republicans on Medicare funding cuts while the Los Angeles Times examines the bounty of new campaign donations that followed the Supreme Court ruling on the health law.
Hospitals Concerned About States’ Interest In Opting Out Of Medicaid Expansion
As Republican-led states mull the possibility of not expanding their programs under the health law, news outlets look at who would be affected.
