Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Says Health Plans Cannot Discriminate Against Transgender People
In a letter, federal officials say employers, insurers and others cannot deny coverage or benefits based on “gender identity.”
Tax Breaks For Organ Donors Aren’t Boosting Transplant Supply
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. Seventeen states offer tax incentives to people who donate a kidney, a portion of their liver or bone marrow for transplantation. But a study finds these sweeteners aren’t working. Researchers looked at what happened in the years before and after these tax incentives were passed and found no increase […]
Today’s Headlines – August 31, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations examine Mitt Romney’s speech last night and the messages on health care at the Republican convention. Politico: In RNC speech, Mitt Romney Gives Passing Mentions To Health Care, Medicare Mitt Romney’s most significant political speech of the 2012 campaign made only a passing reference to two […]
Romney Vows To Repeal And Replace Health Law
Health care was not featured in the Republican presidential nominee’s acceptance speech, but former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney repeated his pledge to repeal or replace the incumbent’s signature legislative achievement.
Today’s Headlines – August 30, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on Rep. Paul Ryan’s speech to the GOP convention. The New York Times: Rousing G.O.P., Ryan Faults ‘Missing’ Leadership Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, whose budget plans have come to define conservative opposition to President Obama’s governing philosophy, accepted the Republican vice-presidential nomination […]
Ryan: ‘Greatest Threat To Medicare Is Obamacare’
Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP vice presidential nominee, was not the only speaker who denounced the health law at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night. State Attorneys General Pam Bondi and Sam Olens spoke about the federal lawsuit against the law, and former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee called the law’s provisions an “attack on my Catholic brothers and sisters.”
FAQ: Obama v. Ryan On Controlling Federal Medicare Spending
Here are some questions and answers about the Democratic and Republican approaches to moderating spending on the popular program, which covers 47 million seniors and disabled people.
Today’s Headlines – August 29, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news from the Republican convention in Tampa and previews of Rep. Paul Ryan’s speech coming tonight. The Wall Street Journal: Republicans Anoint Romney Where Mrs. Romney sought to round out her husband’s public image, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey suggested the policy direction Mr. […]
GOP Convention: Christie Promises ‘Hard Truths’ From Romney
Excerpts on health issues from Gov. Chris Christie’s keynote speech, plus speeches by former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum and former Democratic Rep. Artur Davis.
Paul Ryan’s Health Care Record
By choosing Wis. Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney has put Medicare on the table as a major 2012 campaign issue. Here’s a summary of Ryan’s record on a range of health care issues, including Medicare.
New Hospital Safety Effort To Link ICU Machines
Peter Pronovost’s reputation as a health care safety maven was built on his success in getting doctors and nurses to think more systematically about avoiding hospital infections from catheters by using checklists. Now Pronovost is trying to see if the machines in hospital intensive care units can be taught to communicate with each other to […]
Today’s Headlines – August 28, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about new polling insights regarding the presidential campaign and Medicare, as well as what might become of the House of Representatives. Los Angeles Times: Poll Watch: Tight Presidential Race In Both Convention States As Republicans prepare to get their storm-delayed convention underway in Florida, […]
Feds Push Maryland To Think Big On Health Cost Control
Federal officials are urging Maryland and its powerful health industry to build on the state’s unique hospital rate-setting system to develop sweeping cost controls that could be used as a model for other states.
Health Law Has Gaps In Men’s Care
At the urging of women lawmakers and advocacy groups, the overhaul provides coverage for some specific preventive care, especially for sexual and reproductive health, but men’s coverage is more limited.
Vermont Goes For Gold (Silver, Bronze And Platinum, Too)
Vermont is the only state in the nation on a path to a single payer health system. That could take a while, though. And in the meantime, the state has to set up an insurance exchange to comply with the Affordable Care Act. While some states are still struggling with the basic question of whether […]
Today’s Headlines – August 27, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about this week’s GOP convention, the politics of Medicare and abortion, and the latest health policy news from the states. The Washington Post: Poll: Obama, Romney Neck-And-Neck Ahead Of Party Conventions The Republican National Convention opens this week with President Obama and presumptive nominee […]
Hospitals Look To Become Insurers, As Well As Providers Of Care
Under new model, “the last place I’ll want you to be is in the hospital,” says CEO.
Hospitals Tally Likely Costs From New Readmissions Penalties
Across the country, hospitals are estimating how much money they are going to forfeit when Medicare’s new penalties for excess readmissions kick in. Hospitals are also issuing divergent verdicts on whether they think the program is a good idea or not. Starting in October, 2,211 hospitals will lose a portion of their regular Medicare reimbursements […]
Today’s Headlines – August 24, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports comparing presidential candidates’ Medicare plans and health reform views. The Associated Press/Washington Post: Romney-Ryan Medicare Overhaul Plan Could Give Rise to A New Family Dynamic: Health Care Envy As the issue rises in importance in the presidential campaign, it’s leading to inevitable comparisons for […]
Mayo Clinic Seeks To Extend Its Reach With Series Of Affiliations Around The Country
The Minnesota-based medical center once looked to grow by building facilities outside its region but now is focusing on cooperative agreements with other hospitals.