Latest KFF Health News Stories
Wyden Joins Forces With Ryan On Medicare
Updated at 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 15. A new Medicare overhaul plan touted as a serious bipartisan approach was unveiled today, but it leaves out key details about how it would avoid raising seniors’ premiums. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden is teaming up with Republican Rep. Paul Ryan on a Medicare overhaul plan that would give […]
How Lawsuits Can Stymie Some Automatic Cuts
Advocates for the elderly and disabled have been able to thwart budget cuts in California by challenging them in federal court.
Today’s Headlines – December 15, 2011
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a new approach being advanced by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to overhauling Medicare. The New York Times: Lawmakers Offer Bipartisan Plan To Overhaul Medicare A Democratic senator, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and a Republican member of the […]
Study Suggests Readmission Rates May Reflect Broader Hospital Use
The high rate of hospital readmissions has produced a flurry of policy solutions to improve care for patients as they’re being discharged and afterward. But new research suggests more concern might be directed elsewhere: at the doctors who decide not just to send patients back to the hospital, but to admit them in the first […]
HHS: 2.5 Million Young Adults Now Covered, Exceeding Projections
An estimated 2.5 million young adults have gained health insurance coverage since the 2010 health law took effect, according to a new government survey – a finding the Obama administration is embracing as it continues efforts to communicate the health’s law’s benefits, even as the public’s opinion about the law remains mixed. The number is […]
Hospitals Try To Control Readmissions, Even When It Hurts Profits
Patients with multiple chronic conditions benefit from a new clinic at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. But the hospital says it bears too much of the costs to keep discharged patients from returning.
Today’s Headlines – December 14, 2011
Good morning! Here are your early morning headlines: The New York Times: House Passes Extension Of Cut To Payroll Taxes … [T]he House on Tuesday passed a bill extending a cut in Social Security payroll taxes for 160 million Americans for another year. But the Democratic majority in the Senate vowed to reject the measure. […]
Blue Shield Of Calif., UCLA Tussle Over Rates
Blue Shield of California, which earlier this year pledged to cap its profits at 2 percent, took public Tuesday a contract dispute with UCLA Medical Center, which saw a nearly 17 percent operating margin this year. Unless the two can agree on contract terms by the end of the year, some Blue Shield customers who […]
Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ Debate Shifts to Senate
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Politico Pro’s Matt DoBias about the latest developments on Capitol Hill concerning a pending Medicare physician payment cut set to take effect Jan. 1 without passage of a “doc fix.”
Hospitals Adopt Drug Industry Sales Strategy
“Sales calls” on doctors’ offices help to fill beds, but also elicit criticism.
Administration Ties Medicaid Managed Care Expansion To Performance
The managed care industry’s growing role in Medicaid got a boost Monday when the Obama administration approved Texas’ plan to shift one million additional recipients into private health plans by 2013.
Hospitals Clash With House Republicans On Medicare Cuts
Hospitals have come out swinging against payment cuts to their industry included in the House Republican plan to stop a scheduled Medicare physician payment cut next January. And the House GOP is swinging right back. As the House edges toward a vote Tuesday on legislation that would give physicians a two-year reprieve from a scheduled 27 […]
Obama Administration Approves One Texas Health Waiver, Rejects Another
The Department of Health and Human Services has approved one waiver expanding Texas’ Medicaid managed care program, but has rejected another that bars certain providers, namely Planned Parenthood, from a family planning program.
Today’s Headlines – December 13, 2011
Good morning! Here are your early morning headlines: The Washington Post: House To Vote On Extension Of Payroll-Tax Reduction A Republican aide said conservative lawmakers have been persuaded to support the bill because of how its costs would be covered. The bill, which would also extend unemployment benefits and avert deep scheduled cuts in Medicare […]
Coverage Of Bariatric Surgery Is Spotty For Obese Kids
Experts in pediatric obesity say that caution is warranted, but some physicians see the operations as offering a safe chance to take off significant weight and avoid harmful disease.
Berwick: Don’t Blame Medicare, Medicaid. It’s The Delivery System
The former Medicare administrator says the U.S. health care system “isn’t built for modern times,” but the health care law will help rein in costs and improve care.
Transcript: Donald Berwick on Medicare, Medicaid, ‘Rationing’ and Who Decides
Edited selections from KHN’s interview with former CMS Administrator Donald Berwick.
Today’s Headlines – December 12, 2011
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, reports about Congress’ efforts to inch toward the finish line on a spending deal, a payroll tax bill and a way to avert a scheduled deep cut in Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors. The Washington Post: Congress Edges Toward A Compromise On Spending It appears […]
GOP Candidates Dispute Gingrich, Romney Records On Individual Mandate
At Saturday night’s debate in Des Moines, the GOP presidential candidates spent a considerable amount of time discussing the 2010 health law. In the debate’s most talked-about moment, Mitt Romney offered to bet Rick Perry $10,000 that what Perry was saying about Romney’s book wasn’t correct.
Document: GOP Payroll Tax Bill – Summary, Text Of Health Care Sections
On Friday, Dec. 9, House Republicans unveiled the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act,” which avoid the scheduled cut to Medicare reimbursement rates for physicians – the “doc fix.”