Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
Cheney Surgery Sparks Discussion Of Age And Heart Transplants
Over the weekend, former Vice President Dick Cheney, who is 71, received a new heart after he had waited 20 months.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Supreme Court’s three days of oral arguments regarding the health law.
Supreme Court Watch: Counting Down To Health Law’s Historic Arguments
News outlets previewed the issues before the court, including the individual mandate and the Medicaid expansion.
Komen Facing Fundraising Challenges, Resignations Of Executives
Susan G. Komen has been feeling the effects of the controversy about the withdrawal (and then reinstatement)of its funding for Planned Parenthood.
Medicaid Arguments At Court May Affect Other Federal Programs
The New York Times examines the far-reaching implications of the arguments over the federal health law provision expanding Medicaid. Also, Sen. McConnell uses GOP address to talk about replacing the health law.
Romney Assails Health Law; Obama Embraces ‘Obamacare’
On second anniversary of the law, former Massachusetts governor says, “It’s amazing how many things are wrong with it.” At the same time, the president tweets that Obamacare isn’t a “dirty word.”
The Health Law Officially Turns Two — Now What?
Supporters are marking the health law’s second birthday today even as questions swirl about whether it will get to celebrate a third. Meanwhile, media outlets examine where implementation stands and what is yet to come.
House Appoves Bill To Kill Medicare Cost Panel
In what is viewed as a largely symbolic move, the GOP-led House passed a bill that would undo the health law’s Medicare cost control board. Though the measure initially drew some Democratic support, those votes all but disappeared after the repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board was linked to medical malpractice legislation. The bill is not expected to go anywhere in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
High Court Health Law Action Already Making Political Waves
As supporters and opponents of the law formulate strategies to take advantage of the buzz surrounding next week’s oral arguments, a new report looks at how much has been spent in public opinion ads on the law.
Lawmakers Examine Ways To Stop Prescription Painkiller Abuse
Lawmakers held a hearing Thursday on what steps the federal government can take to help prevent the abuse of prescription painkillers.
Administration Chides Two Insurers For ‘Unreasonable’ Rate Increases
Although the government cannot force the companies to walk back the hikes in nine states, it is seeking to draw attention to the issue and asking for a public justification for the increases.
Health Business Sector Braces For Impact Of Supreme Court Review, Decision
Insurers and other parts of the health care industry are taking steps to brace for what the decision might be while also preparing for the changes the law puts in place.
Romney, Santorum Continue War Of Words Over Health Law Mandate, ‘Template’
Mitt Romney’s record on the individual mandate is coming up again as fellow GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum continues his drum beat that Romney’s Massachusetts health reform law was the “template” for the national overhaul.
Hutchison Calls On Perry To Work With Feds On Women’s Health Funding
The fight in Texas over its Women’s Health Program and the dual defundings of Planned Parenthood by the state and the entire program by the federal government gained a new wrinkle as Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, called on Gov. Rick Perry to work out the state’s differences with the feds.
State Highlights: Mass. Enforcing Individual Mandate; Improving Kids’ Dental Coverage
A selection of stories from Alaska, California, Massachusetts, Montana, Arizona, Connecticut and Maryland.
Md. Launches Health Reform Website For Consumers; Calif. Public Option Lives On
Maryland is launching a health care reform website to educate residents on how they can use benefits in the health law. In California, health reform already affects most residents while the state gets set to offer a version of its own “public option” to buy health insurance.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
On Its Birthday, Health Law Feted As Giving Consumers ‘Control,’ Denigrated For Provoking ‘Showdown’
On the second anniversary of the enactment of the law, commentators offer Supreme Court advice on historic arguments next week, examine public opinion on the overhaul and note the political consequences.
The Individual Mandate: To Be, Or Not To Be? That Is One Of The Questions For The Supreme Court
News outlets report on the mandate’s chances of surviving a constitutional challenge that will be argued before the high court next week.
