Burwell Says There Is Still ‘Work To Do’ On Health Law
By Mary Agnes Carey
June 26, 2015
KFF Health News Original
After Supreme Court’s ruling, the HHS secretary says the administration faces challenges to enroll more people in marketplace plans and expand Medicaid.
King V Burwell Special Report: Using As TEST Page
June 11, 2015
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King v. Burwell Supreme Court case will decide future of health law’s subsidies 5 Things To Know 1 What is this case about? 2 What happens if the court rules against the Obama administration? 3 When could subsidies disappear? Would those who lose subsidies still be required to buy health insurance? 4 Will Congress fix […]
Puerto Rico Fiscal Relief Bill Proposes To Tap $12B Public Health Fund
December 10, 2015
Morning Briefing
The Republican measure would help Puerto Rico avoid a bond default on Jan. 1, but to get to the $3 billion price tag, the bill would use money for research and preventive medicine programs nationwide. The bill summary says the money was as yet “unobligated” and could be “repurposed.”
California Law Will Allow Pharmacists To Prescribe Birth Control
By April Dembosky, KQED
June 18, 2015
KFF Health News Original
As soon as this fall, pharmacists in California will be able to prescribe birth control. While some doctors’ groups are skeptical, lawmakers say pharmacists can fill a need for primary care providers, especially in rural areas.
Cancer Spawns Construction Boom In Cleveland
By Sarah Jane Tribble, Ideastream
May 8, 2015
KFF Health News Original
When the Cleveland Clinic opens its new cancer center, it will be five minutes away from a competitor’s new cancer hospital.
2015 Home Health Agencies Ratings: 1-Star And 1.5-Star Facilities
By Jordan Rau
July 16, 2015
KFF Health News Original
KHN also lists the six home health agencies that received Medicare’s lowest rating of one star and the 195 agencies rated one and a half stars. These ratings, released July 2015, are based on performance from fall 2013 through last year.
Even As Obamacare Seeks To Expand Women’s Coverage, Some Still Face Key Gap
By Michelle Andrews
June 16, 2015
KFF Health News Original
Coverage for labor and delivery for young women who are on their parents’ health plan is not guaranteed under key health laws.
New St. Louis Dental Clinic Looks To Close Gaps In Coverage
By Jordan Shapiro, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
June 12, 2015
KFF Health News Original
The state Legislature approved funding this year to allow about 250,000 low-income adults with Medicaid to receive dental services.
Only 251 Hospitals Score Five Stars In Medicare’s New Ratings
By Jordan Rau
April 16, 2015
KFF Health News Original
The ratings, posted on Medicare’s website Thursday, rank hospitals based on patient reviews.
Medicare Raises Part B Deductibles $19, Sets Premium Increases For Some Beneficiaries
November 11, 2015
Morning Briefing
Congressional action last month thwarted a much higher premium increase for new beneficiaries and those with higher incomes.
Home Health Agencies Get Medicare’s Star Treatment
By Jordan Rau
July 16, 2015
KFF Health News Original
For the first time, the government is assigning one to five stars to the agencies that care for seniors in their homes. Nearly half of 9,000 agencies rated captured average scores.
Research Roundup: Mental Health Parity; Kids’ Food Ads; Medicare Part B Premiums
November 13, 2015
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Millions On Medicare Face Unprecedented Premium Increases
October 15, 2015
Morning Briefing
Congress has so far failed to find a way to stave off 2016 Part B premium hikes that could reach 52 percent for more than 30 percent of Medicare recipients.
Want A Good Laugh? Head To The Hospital
By Susan Jaffe
July 8, 2015
KFF Health News Original
Across the country, hospitals are offering seniors social activities and other benefits to help them stay healthy and out of the hospital, while also encouraging them to come back to visit.
Walgreens To Buy Rival Rite Aid For $9.4B, Will Create Drugstore Giant
October 28, 2015
Morning Briefing
The deal, which Walgreens expects to complete in the second half of 2016, will likely draw regulatory antitrust scrutiny.
HHS Proposes Narrowing Drug Discount Program
August 28, 2015
Morning Briefing
The program, known as the 340B program, would tighten control on the deep discounts that some patients, drugs and providers get.
Specialty Medicines Injected By Doctors Straining Budgets Of Medicare And Patients
November 24, 2015
Morning Briefing
A study finds that these drugs that must be administered under doctor supervision cost Medicare $20.9 billion in 2013, while the out-of-pocket share for Medicare Part B beneficiaries ranged from $1,900 to $107,000. In other Medicare news, KHN reports on the end of a bonus program that will impact primary care doctors’ pay, and Reuters writes about adult children struggling to care for two parents at once.
UnitedHealth Reports 3Q Revenues Up, Earnings Flat At $1.6B
October 15, 2015
Morning Briefing
The health insurer beat expectations due in part to growth in its pharmacy benefits management business, spurred by a recent purchase of Catamaran.
Advocates Say Mental Health ‘Parity’ Law Is Not Fulfilling Its Promise
By Jenny Gold
August 3, 2015
KFF Health News Original
A landmark federal law requiring insurers to cover mental illness as they would any other disease is not being followed or enforced, say patient advocates and attorneys. Insurers say they have taken “tremendous steps.”
How Medicare Beneficiaries Can Pick The Best Drug Plan For Their Pocketbook
October 22, 2015
Morning Briefing
With the open enrollment period running through Dec. 7, PBS Newshour offers advice for choosing a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Meanwhile, PBS’ Next Avenue looks at who might be affected by a 52-percent Medicare Part B premium increase in 2016, how to lessen the pain and what might stop the hike.
