Shingles Vaccinations Not Covered For Some Medicare Beneficiaries
By Michelle Andrews
September 10, 2012
KFF Health News Original
Answers to readers’ questions about how seniors can qualify for coverage for the inoculations, whether parents are required to keep young adults on their plan and getting pregnancy care for dependents.
Maneuvering Toward A ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Deal
December 19, 2012
Morning Briefing
House Republicans moved Tuesday toward a “Plan B” if budget talks fail. Some media outlets suggested that both President Barack Obama and Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, are attempting to quell backlash within their own parties.
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 6, 2012
By Stephanie Stapleton
September 6, 2012
KFF Health News Original
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including health policy highlights from the Democratic National Convention as well as dispatches from the states. Los Angeles Times: Bill Clinton Fires Up Democratic Convention The former president assailed Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, for accusing Obama of cutting $716 […]
Health Law Prompts Review Of Some Medigap Plans; Defining Who Gets Dependent Status
By Michelle Andrews
August 20, 2012
KFF Health News Original
In responses to readers’ questions, columnist Michelle Andrews looks at efforts to curb spending by Medigap insurance. In addition, she explores how health plans determine who can be on your coverage.
Medicare & Aging News From KFF Health News — 2012
February 11, 2013
Page
KFF Health News has had a variety of coverage about Medicare, long-term care and other issues affecting seniors’ quality of care and life. Below is a complete list of our 2012 coverage. See Stories Published In: 2014 | 2013 KFF Health News’s coverage of aging and long-term care issues is produced with support from The […]
Preventive Services Task Force Endorses Obesity Screening, Counseling
By Judith Graham
June 25, 2012
KFF Health News Original
All adults should be screened for obesity, and those found to be obese should be offered at least 12 weeks of intensive counseling about lifestyle changes, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said in a statement published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The recommendation is likely to accelerate insurance companies’ coverage of weight […]
HHS: Health Law Changes To Medicare Drug Program Saved Seniors $5B
December 4, 2012
Morning Briefing
The administration announces that almost 2.8 million people have saved an average $677, because the law is closing the prescription drug doughnut hole.
Decision Day: How It’s Playing On Twitter
By Shefali S. Kulkarni
June 28, 2012
KFF Health News Original
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWe’re watching Twitter so you don’t have to. We will update this page throughout the day with the most interesting and provocative reactions from social media. 6:25 p.m. update: VIDEO: #SCOTUS confirms what I have consistently said, #Obamacare is a #TaxHike and we need #FullRepeal #idpol youtube.com/watch?v=s-WnFC… — Senator Mike Crapo (@MikeCrapo) June 28, 2012 […]
Obama’s Health Care Record
September 10, 2012
KFF Health News Original
Here’s a summary of President Barack Obama’s record on a range of health care issues, including Medicare.
Medicare Part B Premiums Up $5 Per Month Next Year
November 19, 2012
Morning Briefing
The increase will eat about a quarter of a typical retiree’s cost-of-living raise in Social Security payments.
HHS Office Of The Inspector General Recovers A Record-Setting $5.2B In Fiscal 2012
November 28, 2012
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare reports that the recouped funds are in the form of “expected” HHS “receivables” stemming from investigations with which its auditors and officials were involved.
Some Plans Deny Pregnancy Coverage For Dependent Children
By Michelle Andrews
August 6, 2012
KFF Health News Original
Although group health plans must cover workers or their spouses if they become pregnant, they don’t have to extend that insurance to children.
Today’s Headlines – Oct. 4, 2012
By Stephanie Stapleton
October 4, 2012
KFF Health News Original
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including highlights, analysis and fact-checking from last night’s presidential debate. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Romney, Obama Tangle Over Health Care Reform Law In First Presidential Debate Republican Mitt Romney is vowing to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law, saying it adds costs to the health […]
Women’s Health: Advocates Seek New Plan B Consideration; Texas Lawmakers Find Planned Parenthood Decision Is Costly
December 7, 2012
Morning Briefing
NPR notes that some backers of the “morning after” pill hope to get HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ to review her year-old decision to not to lift the age restrictions on the drug. The Texas Tribune also finds that legislators there are coming to grips with the cost of more than 20,000 babies expected because of the lack of state-subsidized birth control.
FAQ: Obama v. Ryan On Controlling Federal Medicare Spending
By Marilyn Werber Serafini
August 29, 2012
KFF Health News Original
Here are some questions and answers about the Democratic and Republican approaches to moderating spending on the popular program, which covers 47 million seniors and disabled people.
Today’s Headlines – August 15, 2012
By Stephanie Stapleton
August 15, 2012
KFF Health News Original
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that Medicaid is joining Medicare in the presidential campaign’s issue spotlight. The Washington Post: Medicaid Shapes Up As Major Battleground Mitt Romney’s choice of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) as his running mate has reignited a debate over the future of Medicare. But Ryan’s proposed […]
Lots of ‘C’s As Hospitals Get Graded For Patient Safety
By Jordan Rau
June 6, 2012
KFF Health News Original
The cities of New York and Los Angeles grade their restaurants on cleanliness and the precautions they take to avoid making customers sick. Now hospitals are getting similar assessments for their patient safety records from the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit devoted to patient safety. For 2,651 hospitals, Leapfrog created a single letter grade out of […]
Court Challenge Could Result In Medicaid Cutbacks Instead Of Expansion
By Phil Galewitz
June 20, 2012
KFF Health News Original
Under the health law, Medicaid will grow to cover every American with a household income below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. A ruling against the expansion — or the entire law
FAQ: How Paul Ryan Proposes To Change Medicare
By Marilyn Werber Serafini
August 11, 2012
KFF Health News Original
The Republican-controlled House, along party lines, twice approved Ryan’s proposals to overhaul the popular program by giving beneficiaries a set amount of money every year to buy coverage from competing health plans. That is a fundamental shift from today’s program, where the federal government must help pay for every doctor visit and medical service that an individual uses.
Today’s Headlines – August 16, 2012
By Stephanie Stapleton
August 16, 2012
KFF Health News Original
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how Medicare has taken center stage in the presidential campaign. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Reversing Obama Medicare Cuts May Backfire On Romney By Speeding Up Program’s Insolvency GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s new promise to restore the Medicare cuts made by President Barack […]