Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: States Face Increased Medicaid Costs Even If They Don’t Expand Program
If state officials think they can escape a fiscal quagmire by refusing to expand Medicaid under the federal health law, they might want to reconsider. State Medicaid costs will jump $76 billion, or nearly 3 percent, over the next decade if all 50 states decide to expand Medicaid eligibility in 2014 under the federal health […]
Effort To Curb Medicare Spending Begins With Crackdown On Hospital Readmissions
The 2010 federal health law calls for penalties for hospitals with high rates of readmissions as the government seeks to trim spending in the the health program for the elderly and disabled.
New Prenatal Blood Tests Come With High Hopes And Some Questions
Insurers remain wary pending more studies, but many pregnant women are trying the tests for fetal abnormalities.
Medical Questions About Gun Ownership Come Under Scrutiny
High-profile law in Florida prohibiting doctors from asking patients about guns was overturned in the courts. But the 2010 federal health law restricts insurers, employers and HHS from asking.
In Juvenile Detention, Girls Face Health Care Designed For Boys
Up to 90 percent of incarcerated girls have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse, creating a complex set of health problems that the juvenile justice system is ill-equipped to handle. One woman is on a crusade to change that.
Report: Coverage of Smoking Cessation Treatments Is Spotty Despite Health Law
It’s hard to stop smoking. But a new report suggests it’s even harder to decipher how your insurance plan covers the cost of treatments to help you quit. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act required that all new private health insurance plans completely cover preventive services deemed effective by the United States Preventive Services Task […]
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 […]