Latest KFF Health News Stories
Fiscal Cliff: What Is At Stake For Medicare And Medicaid?
Jackie Judd talks to KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey about the budget negotiation scenarios for Medicare, where the “doc fix” fits into the budget picture, and whether Medicaid cuts are possible.
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 15, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest details on states’ decisions about pursuing health exchanges as well as other political and policy developments. The Wall Street Journal: At President’s Meeting With Executives, Some Push, Pull And Give President Barack Obama’s meeting with top chief executives Wednesday included a frank exchange […]
Providers File The Bulk Of Medicare Appeals
Health care providers who appealed to Medicare judges won more often than patients did, according to a report by the inspector general at the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hospitals, physicians, medical equipment suppliers and other providers also filed 85 percent of the cases decided by the administrative law judges in fiscal […]
Hospitals, Home Health Care Services Lobby Against Cuts In Deficit Deal
As lawmakers and President Barack Obama discuss possible changes to federal entitlement programs as part of a larger deal to avoid the fiscal cliff, expect provider groups to make their case loud and clear: Don’t cut us. The American Hospital Association is circulating a list of alternatives that are well-known and included in other deficit-reduction […]
States Count Down To Decisions On Health Exchanges
With time running out, 17 states and D.C. commit to setting up the new markets, eight are undecided and the rest weigh partnering with the federal government — or letting the feds take over.
Progressive Group Recommends $385 Billion In Health Cuts
Hospitals, drug companies, nursing homes and health plans would lose billions in Medicare funding over the next decade under a budget deficit cutting plan recommended by the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank which has close ties to President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton. But officials at the center say their […]
Employer Health Costs Rise 4 Percent, Lowest Increase Since 1997
Furnishing new evidence of slower growth in health costs, consulting firm Mercer said Wednesday that employers spent 4.1 percent more on health benefits this year than in 2011. It was the smallest increase in 15 years. One reason, but probably not the only one: Employers shifted costs to workers through higher deductibles. Nearly 60 percent of very large employers (more than 20,000 workers) […]
Computer Issues May Hamper Online Insurance Markets
Cascading delays related to technical issues could make October 2013 target for open enrollment difficult, if not impossible, to meet.
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 14, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details about how lines are being drawn regarding the ‘fiscal cliff’ negotiations. The New York Times: Obama Vows Firm Stance On Deficit-Reduction Plan President Obama reassured leaders of labor and progressive groups on Tuesday that he will not yield to Congressional Republicans and extend Bush-era […]
Colorado’s New Element In Exchange Plan: Certainty
The outcome of last week’s election means Colorado’s home-grown insurance exchange is green-lighted.
Avoiding The ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Likely Means Changes In Medicare
Congress would probably look for cuts in the health care program for seniors and the disabled as it seeks to find ways to curb federal spending.
Health Law Was A Wash In The Election, Poll Finds
After two years of noise and stridency on the 2010 health care law, the Affordable Care Act ended up being a wash in the presidential election, a new poll finds. Both President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney ended up getting equal support among voters who said the law was a “major factor” in their vote for president, […]
U.S. Lowering Rate Of Premature Births, But Slowly
The United States is slowly reducing its rate of premature births, bringing the rate to 11.7 percent in 2011, but the figure is still higher than public health advocates believe it should be. The updated figures come from The March of Dimes, a non-profit group that works to improve the health of mothers and babies, […]
Nevada Quietly Moves Ahead On Health Law
Nevada was one of the 27 states that challenged the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act in court. But now GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval is moving forward on a key part of the law.
Obama Administration Extends Deadline For State Exchanges
The decision is a concession to the reality that many states had delayed planning as they waited to see who won the presidential election.
Missouri, Kansas Reject State-Run Health Insurance Exchanges
The moves by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon open the door for increased federal involvement in health care in staunchly Republican territory.
FEMA Hurricane Sandy Workers Win Health Benefits
That didn’t take long. Just one week after an online petition made news by calling for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to give health benefits to part-time disaster workers responding to Hurricane Sandy, the United States government changed its policy. The Office of Personnel Management, which oversees federal worker benefits, granted “certain employees who work on […]
Hospital Shift Changes A Dangerous Time For Patients
Before physicians at Massachusetts General Hospital finish their 13-hour shifts in the surgical intensive care unit, they hand off their patients to the crew taking over. The outgoing and incoming doctors carefully exchange important information about each patient to ensure that they are properly cared for through the next shift. Cheryl Ryan, a clinical nurse […]
Today’s Headlines – Nov. 13, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports previewing this week’s actions regarding negotiations about the fiscal cliff. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Most Of America Would Be Hit By Tax Increases And Spending Cuts From ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Everyone who pays income tax — and some who don’t —will feel it. So will […]
High Deductible Plans Offer Low Premiums But Steep Risks
More employers are offering these insurance options, but they can leave workers paying thousands of dollars for care before the coverage kicks in.