Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Offers Extra Enrollment Time For Seniors Who Call Today
Extra time is limited only to seniors who have had trouble signing up and contact one of several organizations that are working to help beneficiaries.
Today’s Headlines – December 7, 2011
Good morning! Here are the early morning highlights to get you going: The Washington Post: Republicans Split On Democratic Plan To Extend Payroll Tax Cut Many predict that the tax cut will ultimately be extended as part of a broad bill that would address other budget issues facing end-of-the-year deadlines, such as an extension of […]
Home Health Advocates Push Remote Monitoring In Medicare
Home care technology can play a critical role in keeping patients out of hospitals and at home, but many providers believe new policies should be used to encourage its adoption. Advocates for those changes were on Capitol Hill yesterday to push for legislation that would expand the use of such technology, which allows home health […]
Clock Is Ticking for ‘Doc Fix,’ Medicare ‘Extenders’
In today’s Health on the Hill, Jackie Judd and KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey discuss the prospects for an agreement this month on Medicare reimbursement rates, and what happens if nothing is done before the end of the year.
Florida Grappling With Questions About Taxes For Indigent Care
A special panel appointed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott has been meeting to figure out a way to scale back what taxpayers at the local level contribute to hospital costs in some parts of the state.
Today’s Headlines – December 6, 2011
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a story detailing how the health law is helping Medicare beneficiaries save money on their prescription drug costs. Politico: 2011 Policy Report Cared: Health Care Forecast With a presidential election and a Supreme Court ruling, 2012 will be the year that could determine […]
Bad Grades On New National Health Report Card
Ahead of the unveiling Tuesday of the latest United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings, Reed Tuckson, a foundation board member, had a scary message for the nation: We’re facing “a tsunami of preventable illness,” Tuckson said. “We aren’t prepared for the consequences of that.” In an interview with KHN in advance of the release of the […]
Minnesota Health Exchange Demonstrations Online For Public Review
Until now, an insurance exchange in Minnesota, which will allow consumers to buy health insurance online and is part of the health overhaul, has been just an abstract idea. But now, prototypes for public review are now available online.
Some Companies Base Premiums On Employee’s Salary
Although few employers have used this strategy, consultants say it could help many in 2014 meet new requirements in the health law.
What Every Baby Boomer Should Know About Medicare
Among the most costly mistakes is missing the deadline for enrollment.
Tracking The GOP Presidential Candidates’ Health Care Maneuvers
With only four weeks until Iowa Republicans gather for presidential caucuses, and with the candidate field shrinking, both candidates and bloggers are intensifying their focus on the battle for the Republican nomination for president. Despite uniform opposition to most or all of the tenets in the health law, the candidates are seeking political advantage by […]
Today’s Headlines – December 5, 2011
Good morning! Here’s your early morning headlines to get you going: The Washington Post: Congress Faces Pivotal Week On Stimulus, Spending Measures Monday begins a pivotal week in Congress, the last opportunity this year to pass some kind of economic stimulus package to boost the ailing economy. This will also be a decisive moment for […]
Houston Poaches Cancer Scientists From Boston
This story is part of a reporting partnership that includes KUHF, and Kaiser Health News. MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston has lured 55 scientists away from Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The personnel grab will help the academic hospital jump quickly into the field of cancer drug development. MD Anderson – part of the University […]
Calif. Hospital Report Cards Likely To Go Away
Most major hospitals in California give data voluntarily to independent analysts who publish consumer-friendly reports. But the California Hospital Association says it is withdrawing from the project.
Doing Things Right: Why Three Hospitals Didn’t Harm My Wife
A bike accident sent Michael Millenson’s wife to three hospitals. It led him to offer a unique perspective on the health care system.
Final Medical Loss Ratio Rule Rebuffs Insurance Agents
The Obama administration issued a rule today that is sure to disappoint insurance agents: Fees paid to brokers and agents won’t count as medical care, under limits imposed on insurers in the 2010 federal health law. That’s key because under the health law, insurers must spend at least 80 percent of their premium revenue on medical […]
Care Management Showing Promise, Group Says
Care management programs, which combine information technology, patient-centered nursing and care coordination, have helped Alliance of Community Health Plan (AHCP) members cut costs and improve patient care, the group said in a report released Wednesday. For example, the Group Health Cooperative in Seattle has reported more than $2.5 million in cost savings during the first […]
Today’s Headlines – December 2, 2011
Good morning and happy Friday! Here are your headlines for this a.m.: Los Angeles Times: Kagan, Thomas Pressed To Stay Out Of Healthcare Fight As the Supreme Court prepares to consider one of the most closely watched cases in its recent history, two of its nine justices — one on the left and one on […]
Weighing Berwick’s Top Five Accomplishments At CMS
Dr. Donald Berwick’s 15-month tenure at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was marked by ambitious efforts to improve the nation’s health care system.
Study: Few Healthy Food Choices At Calif. Children’s Hospitals
Fried food, a cookie, ice cream and soda. It’s a dieter’s nightmare. It’s also what many children’s hospitals in California are offering their patients, staff and visitors. Researchers with the UCLA School of Medicine and RAND Corporation visited the state’s 14 major children’s hospitals last year and found many less-than-ideal food options. According to their […]