Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 26, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a range of stories regarding the future of the “fiscal cliff” negotiations as well as reports about the strategies that might now be used by health law opponents. The Wall Street Journal: Talks Over Fiscal Cliff Stay Stuck In Low Gear Congressional leaders return to […]
The Best Medicine For Fixing The Modern Hospital
The latest medical breakthrough is the hospital room itself.
Minnesota Facing Bigger Bill For State’s Health Insurance Exchange
Minnesota’s state health insurance exchange will cost $54 million in 2015 to operate; earlier estimates were $30 to $40 million.
How To Handle Extra Costs Not Covered By Medicare
Michelle Andrews answers a question about an unexpected bill a reader received after paying out-of-pocket for medical services not covered by Medicare.
With Routine Mammograms, Some Breast Cancers May Be Overtreated
The endless debate over routine mammograms is getting another kick from an analysis that sharply questions whether the test really does what it’s supposed to.
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 21, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including articles about regulations for the health law released by the administration Tuesday and the road ahead on implementing the law. The New York Times: Administration Defines Benefits That Must Be Offered Under The Health Law The Obama administration took a big step on Tuesday to […]
Online Access To Docs Increases Office Visits, Study Finds
New research suggests that doctors who communicate online with their patients may not see a drop in office visits.
Obama Administration Gives Smokers A Way Out Of Higher Insurance Premiums
Consumer groups praise the rules as a way to encourage smokers to quit, but one workplace expert dismisses them as “a dumb idea.”
Administration Releases New Health Law Rules For Insurers, Employers
The proposed regulations deal with several key issues, such as how plans structure their health benefits, the variations on premiums based on age and requirements for wellness programs.
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 20, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest news on the “fiscal cliff” negotiations as well as reports about the health law’s implementation. The Wall Street Journal: Entitlements Split Democrats With deficit talks kicking off in earnest, Democrats are divided on the magnitude of changes they would accept when it comes […]
Uninsured Die At Higher Rates After Brain Surgery, Study Finds
Your chances of surviving brain surgery might be affected by whether you have health insurance. According to the findings of a new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, uninsured patients died at a higher rate after receiving brain surgery to remove cancerous tumors than those with private insurance. Uninsured patients had a death rate of […]
States Detail Questions About Their Exchange Options
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said Friday that he will build a health exchange in his state – as soon as the Obama administration can explain exactly what that means. The Republican governor submitted 50 questions to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about how the state-built online insurance markets are supposed to be set up. “As […]
Advocates Of Medical Marijuana Face Another Hurdle: Insurance Coverage
Even as more states move to allow the drug for medicinal purposes, health policies rarely cover its use. Some patients spend hundreds of dollars a month or more on the drug.
Survey: Maryland Voters Know Little About Federal Health Law
Although Maryland is a leader in implementing major provisions of the federal health law, many of its voters are still unsure of what changes are actually in store for them. The results of a new poll, released Monday, found that while the majority of Maryland voters support the measure, only 30 percent of survey respondents […]
NFL Medical Records Go High-Tech
The game of football isn’t played without its share of injuries. Look at just one of yesterday’s marquee games: The contest between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers resulted in Ravens’ tight end Dennis Pitta and the Steelers’ running back Isaac Redman receiving concussions. A Steelers’ defensive lineman, Ziggy Hood, also left the game […]
Gerontology Expert: Revive CLASS Act To Help Pay Long-Term Care Bills
As policymakers in Washington struggled to avoid a year-end budget crisis affecting spending on the biggest health programs, gerontologists on the other side of the country were worrying about how to meet long-term care needs of the expanding senior population. At the Gerontological Society of America’s 65th annual scientific meeting in San Diego, Dr. Toni […]
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 19, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest news on the ongoing “fiscal cliff” discourse. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Taxes, Benefit Programs Key Flashpoints In ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Negotiations There are numerous hurdles, big and small, in front of President Barack Obama and lawmakers on Capitol Hill as they seek a budget […]
Four NYC Hospitals Still Closed By Hurricane Sandy
Displaced patients and doctors are a challenge for some nearby hospitals and an opportunity for others, as the city’s safety net tries to deal with the disruption.
Stuart Altman’s Huge Challenge: Bring Down Mass. Health Costs
The health economist and former presidential adviser is leading a board overseeing the state’s cost-control law.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott Ready To Negotiate State Exchange
Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Friday that he’s open to building a state-based health insurance exchange under the health care law — but only if he can find a way to pay for it that doesn’t increase health costs or state taxes. Scott, the former hospital chain CEO who has been one of the most […]