Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s Headlines – Jan. 11, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on developments in the health care marketplace as well as state health policy and budget news Politico: Insurers’ 2014 Hikes Already Taking Toll If you work for a small business, your next health insurance premium may give you sticker shock. Many of the small-business […]
A Guide To Health Insurance Exchanges
The new online marketplaces, to be set up by October, are designed to make it easier to buy insurance. But they’re in the middle of a political fight over the health care law.
Commonwealth Fund Panel Proposes Options To Slow Health Care Spending
A group of health policy professionals Thursday called on federal, state and local governments to help slow the relentless growth of health care spending by setting firm limits on those expenditures. The group, assembled by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit research group, urged each level of government to agree to hold the increases in health […]
Today’s Headlines – Jan. 10, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about Jack Lew, who is President Barack Obama’s pick to head the Treasury Department and has a record of protecting Medicaid and the safety net. The Wall Street Journal: Obama Aide Is Treasury Pick In 2011, as political leaders were designing the spending reductions […]
Governors’ Group Highlights Health Care In 2013 Outlook
As governors gear up to deliver their state-of-the-state addresses later this month, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the National Governors Association spoke Wednesday about the broader policy challenges facing all states in 2013 — and sure enough, health care was among the major issues both mentioned. The “State of the States” addresses by Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, […]
‘The Matrix’ Meets Medicine: Surveillance Swoops Into Health Care
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is testing how using technology to monitor seniors’ health can save money on medical costs and help seniors feel secure enough to “age in place.”
Fla. Gov. Scott to Look at Other Medicaid Cost Estimates
In several public statements, Gov. Rick Scott has cited $26 billion as the 10-year cost of Medicaid expansion in Florida, saying he got it from the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration.
Today’s Headlines – Jan. 9, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a number of health policy developments on the state level. Politico: Berwick Eyeing Run For Massachusetts Governor Former Obama administration Medicare chief Don Berwick — vilified by Senate Republicans who made his confirmation impossible — is considering a run for Massachusetts governor in 2014, he […]
A Regional Analysis Of Which Hospitals Got Rewards, Penalties Based On Quality
In Medicare’s new program that ties about $1 billion in payments to quality of care, hospitals in Fort Wayne, Ind., are faring the best on average while hospitals in Washington, D.C., are doing the worst, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis of the country’s 212 major health care markets. All seven hospitals in the nation’s […]
Doctors And Dentists Lure Patients With Money-Saving Deals Online
Dollar-conscious consumers are turning to websites like Groupon for price breaks on medical, dental and vision care.
Today’s Headlines – Jan. 8, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of a government report concluding that U.S. health-care spending grew at a record low pace for a third consecutive year. The New York Times: Growth Of Health Spending Stays Low National health spending climbed to $2.7 trillion in 2011, or an average of $8,700 […]
Connecticut, The Insurance Capital, Moves Ahead With Exchange Plans
Five health plans — including all the major insurers in the state’s individual and small group markets — have told Connecticut’s health insurance exchange that they plan to offer policies in the state’s new online marketplace this fall. Exchange officials said Monday that Aetna, United Healthcare, Anthem, ConnectiCare and a new nonprofit co-op owned by the Connecticut […]
Under Tight Budgets, Public Health Spending Falls For First Time
Policymakers took heart from another year of relatively slow health-spending growth in 2011, documented by government statisticians and disclosed in a report Monday. But one aspect of moderating health expenditures — and the only category showing outright decline — could cost more than it saves. Hit by recession and tight budgets, spending on public health by federal, state and local governments […]
Study: Doctors Give In To Patient Demands For Brand-Name Drugs
Doctors are more likely to prescribe brand-name drugs over lower-cost generics when patients request them and when physicians have contacts with drugmakers, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine Monday shows. The researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston analyzed data from a survey of 1,891 doctors in 2009 and found that 37 percent of […]
Florida’s Gov. Scott, Chief Opponent Of Health Law, Meets With HHS Chief Sebelius
Gov. Rick Scott visited Washington to press HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for approval on the Florida’s Medicaid managed care plans. Afterward, he offered few details about their discussion on another major issue — how, or if, the state will carry out key parts of the Affordable Care Act.
When An Employer Drops Coverage, Workers Lose Their Tax Advantages
Insurance columnist answers readers’ questions, including how alternative medicine might be treated under the health law, and offers more details about coverage for adult children.
Today’s Headlines – Jan. 7, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about entitlement spending in the context of the debt debate, as well as reports regarding the health insurance industry. The Associated Press/Washington Post: White House, GOP Draw Red Lines In Debate On US Debt Limit, Vow Not To Budge Republicans say they are willing […]
Triage System Helps Colleges Treat Mentally Ill Students
Colleges and universities across the country have seen an influx of students with mental health needs.
Today’s Headlines – January 4, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Department of Health and Human Services gave seven more states the thumbs up to run their own health exchanges. NPR: Bargain Over Fiscal Cliff Brings Changes To Health Care The bill that prevented the nation from plunging over the fiscal cliff did […]
Rural Hospitals Get Relief In Fiscal Cliff Deal
It’s not just another New Year’s Day in Wellsville, N.Y., as rural hospitals get financial relief from Congress.