Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pressure From Insurers, Government Cuts Radiology Use And Spending
Here’s another reason health care inflation is down: The slowing growth in MRI scans, CT sessions and other diagnostic imaging that began in the mid-2000s has continued, paired with sharply lower Medicare reimbursements. The end of the MRI boom may not rank with the poor economy, high-deductible health plans and expiring blockbuster drug patents as a factor in slowing cost trends — scans make up about 5 […]
Today’s headlines – Sept. 10, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports detailing how GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said, if elected, he would retain some parts of the 2010 health law. Los Angeles Times: What To Expect If President Obama Wins Second Term White House aides have indicated that Obama would try for a deal […]
Here’s a summary of President Barack Obama’s record on a range of health care issues, including Medicare.
What’s Your Guess On Newest Uninsured Numbers? Win A Prize (Well, Recognition)
After the monthly jobs report on Friday, the next big federal report with implications for the presidential race comes Wednesday morning when the Census Bureau releases its annual study on the number of people without health insurance. Last year, the Census reported that in 2010 the number of uninsured rose by 1 million to 49.9 million while the rate […]
Ways And Means Subcommittees Take Aim Again At Health Law Provisions
After bashing President Barack Obama’s health law as part of their Tampa convention festivities, House Republicans will focus on the measure once again when they return to Capitol Hill next week. Two Ways and Means subcommittees will hold hearings focused on the Internal Revenue Service’s role in implementing the law’s tax provisions and on the […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 7, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including examinations of health policy references in yesterday’s Democratic convention speeches. Los Angeles Times: Obama, Biden Make their Case For Four More Years Spilling well past the hour of prime-time coverage allotted by the major TV networks, Obama offered a long list of achievements including passage […]
Obama: ‘I Will Never Turn Medicare Into A Voucher’
In their acceptance speeches Thursday night, President Obama and Vice President Biden both denounced Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan for Medicare as a “voucher.”
Where In The World Is Jerry Brown?
California’s Jerry Brown, the governor of the most populous state in the union, a state that has aggressively pushed ahead with the Affordable Care Act even when it wasn’t the “in-thing,” is sitting out this year’s Democratic National Convention. Like millions of American kids who returned to school this week, Brown has too much work […]
IOM Report Focuses On $750 Billion In Inefficient Health Care Spending
“If home building were like health care,” says a new Institute of Medicine report, “carpenters, electricians, and plumbers each would work with different blueprints, with very little coordination.” With physicians, hospital administrators and insurance companies on often diverging building plans, the idea that the health care system could fall apart like a badly built house […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 6, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including health policy highlights from the Democratic National Convention as well as dispatches from the states. Los Angeles Times: Bill Clinton Fires Up Democratic Convention The former president assailed Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, for accusing Obama of cutting $716 […]
Bill Clinton On Medicare: ‘There Were No Cuts To Benefits At All’
As part of his 50-minute defense of the Obama administration’s record, the former president praised Obama’s health policies, asking, “Are we better off because President Obama fought for health care reform? You bet we are.”
Biz Groups Push For Answers On Minnesota Exchange
The head of the largest business group in Minnesota has a message for both Democrats and Republicans as the state attempts to plan a health insurance exchange: We need answers, fast.
Study: Decision Aids Show Promise In Reducing Medical Procedures
While policymakers debate complex changes to reduce health spending, promoting patients’ involvement in treatment decisions could have an immediate effect. A new Health Affairs report about decision aids — materials given to patients to help educate them about treatment options — shows they can help hold down costs by reducing demand for medical procedures. “The […]
Today’s Headlines – Sept. 5, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on how health reform is playing a role in presidential politics, both during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., and in a new GOP campaign ad. Politico: Dems Wear ‘Obamacare’ Proudly Democrats gathered in Charlotte this week are fighting to reclaim the term […]
‘Obamacare’ Plays Starring Role In First Night Of Convention
Several speakers cited the 2010 health law as a signature achievement of the Obama administration Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. This video sample includes Stacey Lihn, the mother of a child with congenital heart disease, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, San Antonio Mayor Juli
Video Excerpts: Kennedy-Romney Debate 1994
As part of a video tribute to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Democrats showed this 18-year-old debate excerpt at their convention in Charlotte, N.C. on Tuesday. In 1994, Mitt Romney was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, challenging Kennedy, the incumbent at that time.
UnitedHealth Cases Show Big Cost Differences For Same Illness
We’ve seen this before: a study showing large spending disparities to treat similar ailments and little if any link between expenditure and effectiveness. What’s different about this analysis is the patients. Many reports on cost and quality disparity (the best known is the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care) are based on data from the government’s Medicare program for seniors. This […]
Are Medicare’s New Quality Incentives Large Enough To Change Hospital Behavior?
In October, hospitals stand to gain or lose as much as 1 percent of reimbursements. But experts say most will break even.
State experiment gets scrutiny amid national debate over role of insurance regulation in rising coverage costs.
California Pilot Offers Caveats For Moving ‘Dual Eligibles’ To Managed Care
As federal officials evaluate state proposals to move millions of the nation’s poorest and sickest individuals into managed care plans, they might consider a recent report from the California HealthCare Foundation. The report analyzed California’s year-long transition of 240,000 low-income seniors and people with disabilities from fee-for-service plans into managed care as part of a […]