Latest KFF Health News Stories
Efforts To Reach Fiscal Deal Gain Momentum
Some Capitol Hill lawmakers are increasingly pushing to find a way to avert a fiscal crisis. Also in the news from Congress, Republicans continue their investigation of the White House’s negotiations with health care interest groups during the health law debate in 2009.
Health Exchange Progress Pending In Some States … Along With Court Decision
Meanwhile, implementation issues related to health exchanges, such as the importance of a state’s insurance market, are emerging. Also, a model for exchange development has been unveiled.
State Roundup: Md. Hospital Rate-Setting System Under Scrutiny
News outlets report on a variety of health policy news in Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oregon and Texas.
Sept. 11 Compensation Fund To Cover Cancer Costs
A Sept. 11 compensation fund will cover the treatment of many different kinds of cancers — at a cost of up to $147 million — for people exposed to toxic material during and after the attacks.
Organized Rallies Around U.S. Decry Contraception Coverage Mandate
More than 100 organized rallies in states around the nation this weekend decried the Obama administration decision to require insurers and employers to cover contraception in their health plans as an attack on their religious freedom.
Getting To The Bottom Of Hospital Bills’ ‘Gross Charges’
The Philadelphi Inquirer details exactly how hospital bills are supposed to handle charges for people without insurance.
The Los Angeles Times profiles the Anthem Blue Cross president.
Medicaid: Managed Care Contracts, Copay Proposals Make State News
State Medicaid programs — including both managed care contracts and new copay proposals — are making news in Ohio, California, Florida and Arizona.
A selection of editorials and opinons on health care policy from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that UnitedHealthcare plans to honor some health law provisions regardless of what the Supreme Court decides.
Republicans Renew Attack On 2009 Obama/Drug Industry Deal For Health Law
GOP lawmakers released more memos from 2009 detailing negotiations between the White House and pharmaceutical companies about supporting the health law.
The Health Law Decision: How It Might Shake Out
News outlets continue to report on the various ways the court might rule on the health law and how those rulings could impact stakeholders and how various policymakers — from the White House to Congress to state officials — are preparing for the decision.
Millions Of Young Adults Join Parents’ Health Plans
While 6.6 million young people signed onto their parents’ plans since the provision of the health law took effect, many still lack coverage, according to a new Commonwealth Fund study. Cost, not a “young invincible” belief that they didn’t need coverage, appears to be a key obstacle.
La. Gov. Signs Bill Increasing Wait Time Between Mandatory Ultrasound, Abortion
The bill signed by Bobby Jindal would also require abortion providers to offer women the opportunity to listen to the fetal heartbeat. In other abortion news, a Michigan legislative panel endorses a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Bachmann Calls For Federal Audit Of Minnesota Medicaid Program
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is asking for a federal audit of her state’s Medicaid program after a congressional probe found a year’s worth of alleged overpayments. In other news, insurers Molina and Centene have won back Medicaid contracts in Ohio after initially being rejected.
Study: U.S. Hispanics Fare Worse Waiting For Heart Transplants
A new study found that more U.S. hispanics in need of a heart transplant die while waiting for a heart than do white patients.
New Fetal Genetics Testing Technique Could Offer Less Risk, More Controversy
NPR reports a scientific development related to fetal genetic testing.
Internists Press Lawmakers For Medicare Formula Fix
Internists take to Captitol Hill to lobby members of Congress to fix the Medicare physician payment formula.
States Hold Off On Insurance Exchanges; Medicare ACOs Confront Challenges
Marilyn Tavenner, the acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said Thursday that about 30 states will not move forward with state-based exchanges until after the Supreme Court rules and the November elections are finished. She also said her agency is working to streamline the process for early participants in Medicare ACOs.
State News: Wis. Insurers Meet Health Law Medical Spending Requirements
A selection of health policy stories from Wisconsin, Oregon, Arizona, New York, Virginia, Texas, Massachusetts, Florida and California.
