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Today’s Headlines – Oct. 8, 2012

KFF Health News Original

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports and analysis from the campaign trail regarding both the presidential contest as well as House and Senate races. Los Angeles Times: Obama’s Healthcare Law: Historic Reform And Signature Failure As the president seeks reelection, the Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, stands as a […]

Critical Decisions Await Patient, Family Members When Medicare Deadline Looms

KFF Health News Original

Every day, at least 10,000 people turn 65 and most become eligible for Medicare. That can raise lots of questions: for those still working, should they enroll or keep their company’s health plan? If they retire, how does that affect spouses and children?

Study: Most Seniors’ ER Visits Could Be Avoided

KFF Health News Original

Nearly 60 percent of Medicare beneficiary visits to emergency rooms and 25 percent of their hospital admissions were “potentially preventable”–  had patients received better care at home or in outpatient settings —  according to results of a study released Friday by a congressional advisory board. “These are spectacular rates,” said Scott Armstrong, a member of the […]

Today’s Headlines: Oct. 5, 2012

KFF Health News Original

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more coverage of how health policy issues were addressed during Wednesday’s presidential debate. The New York Times: Entering Stage Right, Romney Moved To Center He used the first presidential debate to speak out forcefully to its wide television audience against the idea of cutting taxes […]

Berwick: Debate Underscores Challenge Explaining Health Law

KFF Health News Original

More than two and a half years after he signed the most far reaching health care legislation into law, President Barack Obama showed in his Wednesday debate with Mitt Romney that explaining the law is still no easy job. “It’s a great law and complex and complicated … but there is a continuing job to […]

Insurers Get Ready For Exchanges, But Exchanges May Not Be Ready For Them

KFF Health News Original

Insurers are spending big dollars on marketing, technology and risk analysis of the new health care landscape. But with exchanges supposed to go live in late 2013, where and how companies will plunge – and how deep – is far from clear.

Highmark Files Suit Against West Penn Allegheny In Pittsburgh

KFF Health News Original

The Pennsylvania insurer Highmark has filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas to prevent West Penn Allegheny Health System from forming alliances with other entities. Last year, Highmark said it was purchasing the financially struggling hospital system. Last week, West Penn Allegheny announced it was breaking ties with Highmark and searching for […]

Denver Debate: The Candidates Discuss Medicare

KFF Health News Original

Medicare and how to rein in its rapidly growning costs was a major focus of Wednesday night’s presidential debate in Denver between President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney.

Breaking Down The Debate, Word-By-Word

KFF Health News Original

President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney had plenty to say about health care in the first debate in Denver Wednesday night. Here are they words they chose — with the most-frequently used words shown larger — during the discussions about health policy issues during the debate. Obama words: Romney’s words:

Today’s Headlines – Oct. 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 […]

Denver Debate: Medicaid As A Domestic Priority

KFF Health News Original

The Medicaid program was not a major focus of Wednesday night’s debate between President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, but it was a topic of discussion as the two candidates laid out their domestic policy priorities.

Denver Debate: Obama And Romney On ‘Obamacare’

KFF Health News Original

The bulk of Wednesday night’s presidential debate in Denver focused on the topic of health care. In this segment, President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney discuss the 2010 health law.

HHS Secretary Touts The ACA’s Benefits For Older Hispanics

KFF Health News Original

Just hours before the first presidential debate, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius delivered a message about the dire need to protect Medicare and Medicaid funding to a critical electoral constituency. Sebelius was the keynote speaker at the National Hispanic Council on Aging’s National Summit in Washington, an annual meeting of Hispanic health care, housing, aging […]

Today’s Headlines – Oct. 3, 2012

KFF Health News Original

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including presidential debate previews and reports on a new round of polling. The Wall Street Journal: Race Tightens In 2 States As Ohio Gap Widens The presidential race is tightening in the battleground states of Florida and Virginia, but one of the biggest prizes—Ohio—remains a difficult […]

Medicaid Stars In New Obama Campaign Ad

KFF Health News Original

http://www.youtube.com/v/dzMHhFOdXCc?version=3&hl=en_US At last, Medicaid is getting some respect. Medicaid, not Medicare, is the subject a new television campaign advertisement for President Barack Obama (above). The 30-second ad is being broadcast in five election battleground states — Colorado, Virginia, Nevada, Iowa and Ohio. It accuses GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney of supporting the plan passed by […]