Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicaid: Ark. Gov. Pushes Expansion, Maine Hunts For Savings
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?
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
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.
Texas Congressional Candidates Will Face Off In Spanish Debate, Health Policies Among Key Issues
News outlets also report on down ballot issues and developments.
Report Details Ga. Mental Health Improvements
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.
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
Reuters reports that researchers found that 22 percent of nearly 17,000 kids’ prescriptions issued at two urban clinics were never filled.
Viewpoints: ‘Redistribution’ Debate; Reducing Delayed, Missed And Incorrect Diagnoses
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Hatch Seeks More Exchange Details From Administration
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.
NABE Survey: Next Decade Will Be Marked By Rising Health Costs
Fox Business reports on the economic policy survey released Monday by the National Association of Business Economics.
State Roundup: Further Scrutiny For Calif. Adult Day Care Eligibility
A selection of stories from California, North Carolina and Minnesota.
First Edition: September 26, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organiations, including reports about a round of new polls sizing up the status of the presidential campaign as well as one from The Associated Press measuring public opinion about the implementation of the health law.
Federal Officials Offer Warning On Medicare Billing Abuses
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder notified hospital trade groups Monday that they planned to prosecute providers that use electronic records to “game the system” by billing Medicare for more complicated care than they actually deliver.
Health Insurance Costs Rise, Driven By Higher Hospital, Doctor Prices
According to a report by the Health Care Cost Institute, health insurance spending jumped in 2011 – a development that broke a two-year trend of small increases. Still, the per enrollee increase ranks below 2009’s 5.8 percent rise.
Viewpoints: The ‘Real Story’ Of Ryan At AARP; ‘Get Thee To An Emergency Room’
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Health Insurance To Provide Easy-To-Understand Plan Summaries
On Monday, a health law provision goes into effect that requires insurance companies to provide user-friendly guides that provide explanations of plan benefits that will be as clear and easy to understand as the nutrition facts provided on food packages.
Congress Approves Bill Designed To Protect Patients From Stolen Medical Products
Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, some Senate conservatives are considering taking steps to block a deal to avert the automatic cuts called for under sequester.
Prescription Drug Abuse Among Young Adults Drops
Prescription drug abuse by young adults dropped 14 percent last year to its lowest rate since 2002 as authorities continue new attempts to curtail abuse.
Candidates, Committees Spend Money And Stand Ground In House And Senate Races
The Associated Press looks at competitive House races in New York, where Republicans are spending significant money to hold three seats held by freshmen. In the meantime, Todd Akin is standing his ground in his Senate race in Missouri.
Double-Digit Premium Increases Seen In Popular Medicare Drug Plans
Seniors in seven of the 10 most popular Medicare drug plans will see marked premium increases for 2013 if they don’t opt to change plans, according to an analysis by Avalere Health.
