Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Roundup: Iowa Senate Provides $5M For Mental Health
A selection of health policy stories from around the U.S.
Viewpoints: Censoring Flu Research; Assailing Komen’s Move To Cut Planned Parenthood Funding
A selection of editorials and opinion articles about health care policy from around the country.
One Part Of HIV/AIDS Series Examines Germany’s Government Policies Surrounding Epidemic
As part of a week-long series, titled “Generation Positive,” looking at the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and Washington, D.C., WTOP’s Thomas Warren examines the history of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. compared with Germany, where he traveled as a fellow with the RIAS Berlin Kommission. The article describes “the history of HIV in Germany, including the governmental policies aimed at handling the disease and how the virus is treated medically,” according to the introduction (Warren, 2/1).
Longer Looks: Enhanced Scrutiny Of IVF Clinics; School-Based Health Care
A selection of in-depth articles on health policy from Time, the Columbia Journalism Review, National Review and Governing magazine.
The Health Law Implementation Challenges Faced By States
States’ ability to implement the major changes that take effect in 2014 are tied to the decisions they face now. Meanwhile, governors’ “state of the state” speeches reflect an overall cautious mood.
CSIS Report Examines Changing Role Of Private Sector In Global Health
This report, published by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) on Tuesday and titled “The Private-Sector Role in Public Health,” reflects on an evolution in the roles and responsibilities of business in global health over the recent decades. “Private-sector engagement was among the main issues addressed at the recent 4th High Level Forum for Aid Effectiveness in Busan, Korea,” CSIS writes on its website, adding, “[A]s Lars Thunell, executive vice president and CEO of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), observed, ‘This could be the turning point where we recognize the mutually supportive roles of the private and public sectors in promoting development'” (Sturchio/Goel, 1/31).
First Edition: February 2, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports from Capitol Hill about ongoing efforts to reach a deal on the “doc fix” as well as the latest on the flap between the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and Planned Parenthood.
CBO: Federal Health Spending To Double Over The Next Decade
In its budget and economic outlook, the Congressional Budget Office projects an 8 percent annual increase in health spending between 2012 and 2022, mainly because of an aging U.S. population and rising treatment costs. The analysis includes a bigger pricetag for a permanent fix to the Medicare physician payment formula.
House To Vote Today To Wipe CLASS Act Off The Books
Though the Obama administration has made clear that it is not proceeding with efforts to implement this long-term care insurance program, the White House and most Democrats are still opposed to its repeal.
Words From Daily Report Readers
Here’s today’s sampling of health policy haikus.
Religious Protests Continue In Response To Obama Administration Birth Control Rule
The White House continues to defend its new insurance coverage rule, which requires religiously affiliated nonprofit groups to provide free birth control coverage to women. Also in the news, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who is considered to be on the short list for the GOP vice presidential pick, introduced legislation Tuesday that would vastly expand the opt-out ability of religious or faith-based employers.
Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Cuts Grants, Ties To Planned Parenthood
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, a leading breast-cancer charity, will no longer give money to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer exams or education, it announced Tuesday. The rift comes from the political fight surrounding Planned Parenthood’s abortion services.
Patients’ Financial Health Put At Risk By Costs Of Some Medical Treatments
A New Jersey newspaper explores how medical costs put patients at financial risk. Meanwhile, the NewsHour explores the future of health care, offering alternative scenarios about how policy decisions, political outcomes and technology might play into an individual’s health.
Study: Safety Net ERs Not At Disadvantage In ‘Pay-For-Performance’ Programs
A new JAMA study says safety-net ERs wouldn’t be at a disadvantage in meeting some pay-for-performance quality measures if they were held to same standard as other hospitals.
Romney Claims Florida Primary Win
Rick Santorum, another GOP presidential hopeful, says the messy Florida campaign caused damage to Republicans and plans to deliver a speech about “Obamacare” and “Romneycare” today in Colorado. The Democratic National Committee hits Mitt Romney on Medicare, and Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., offers legislation aimed at Newt Gingrich.
Medicaid: Wis. Program Facing $141 Million Shortfall
Supporters of a proposed Connecticut health plan for poor adults say it should be implemented soon to help support state efforts to expand coverage under the federal health law in 2014. Also, a report in Wisconsin finds that the Medicaid program will run short of funds over the next year and a half.
Mass. Bill Would Mandate Docs To Check Database Before Prescribing Pain Meds
The legislation is expected to come up for a vote in the Massachusetts Senate Thursday. In Florida, the legislature killed a bill to take away prescription rights from doctors awaiting trial on pill-trafficking charges.
HHS: Medicare Advantage Trends — Enrollment Up, Premiums Down
The Department of Health and Human Services Report, which will be released today, counters negative predictions regarding the impact the 2010 health law would have on the program.
State Roundup: Mass. Lawmakers Fight Medicare Charges
A selection of health policy stories from around the United States.
Nursing Homes, Hospitals Warn Against Reimbursement Cuts
As the House and Senate conferees continue to hold meetings to reach an agreement to extend the payroll tax break and the Medicare “doc fix,” health care interests are offering input into the process and making pleas to ward off what they say would be deep and damaging spending reductions.
