Latest KFF Health News Stories
The White House Fact Sheet On The Contraception Compromise
This fact sheet was released by the White House in advance of President Barack Obama’s Feb. 10 comments about mandated health insurance coverage for contraception.
Will We Get The Biggest Bang From Health Law’s Prevention Grants?
Backers of the health law’s provision of $15 billion for prevention efforts believe it has the potential to improve health and reduce costs. But some question the administration’s decision to sprinkle money for community programs among dozens of groups testing different approaches, rather than channeling it to proven programs. Ken Thorpe, who chairs the Department of Health Policy […]
Rules Requiring Contraceptive Coverage Have Been In Force For Years
Employers have pretty much been required to provide contraceptive coverage as part of their health plans since December 2000. That’s when the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that failure to provide such coverage violates the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act. But controversy over a new rule requiring even religious employers to cover contraception remains.
Coakley v. Cuccinelli: Attorneys General Debate The Health Law
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1 State attorneys general Martha Coakley and Ken Cuccinelli won’t be arguing the constitutionality of the 2010 health law before the Supreme Court in late March, but they brought their opposing cases before the National Press Club in Washington on Thursday.
HHS Unveils Requirements For Consumer Insurance Labels
The rules detail standard, easy-to-understand information that insurance plans will be required to provide consumers.
Mass. Nurse-Midwives No Longer Need Physician OK To Practice
Certified nurse-midwives in Massachusetts no longer need to have a physician sign on the dotted line in order to work in the state. Under a new state law, nurse-midwives do not have to practice under a physician’s supervision. Instead, they will be required to practice within a health care system and have a clinical relationship […]
Medicare Data Show Variation In ‘Central Line’ Infection Rates Across States
Across the country, one in six hospitals has high rates of one of the most serious kinds of preventable infections — those caused by catheters inserted into large veins, according to new data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Patients at hospitals in Maryland, Mississippi, Louisiana, Maine and New Hampshire were most […]
Today’s Headlines – February 9, 2012
Good morning! Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations mainly focus on the controversy over the administration’s new regulation on contraception coverage. The New York Times: Birth Control Is Covered, And G.O.P. Vows A Fight Congressional Republicans, seizing on the type of social issue that motivates and unifies their base, stepped forcefully Wednesday […]
Catholic Contraception Controversy: The State Of Pay
Two Democratic governors — Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut and Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland — tried to tamp down the controversy over contraception coverage at Catholic institutions this week by quoting the same number: 28 states already require insurance coverage of contraception. That’s true and it’s mentioned in a state policy brief by the […]
Study: Some Physicians Not Always Honest With Patients
Doctors report that they’re not always completely honest with patients, especially when it comes to disclosing a medical mistake, or discussing a difficult prognosis, according to a new survey. Despite wide acceptance of a professional code that endorses openness and honesty with patients, a 2009 survey of 1,891 doctors published in the February edition of […]
HHS Seeks To Cut Preterm Births
The Obama administration launched a $40 million effort Wednesday to reduce premature births, especially early elective deliveries, but it has no plans to stop Medicaid from paying for those deliveries. About 10 percent of all deliveries are scheduled — either as induced or Cesarean-section –before 39 weeks and are not medically indicated, according to the Department of Health […]
Consumer Tips: Going Out Of Network
Most health insurance plans allow you to visit an out-of-network doctor or hospital, though it is very likely to cost you more. KHN’s Julie Appleby says you may want to use an online calculator to figure out how much more it will cost you and suggests questions you may want to ask your insurer before you decide what to do.
Consumers Hit By Higher Out-of-Network Medical Costs
Insurers switch to new way to calculate reimbursement that shifts more of the expenses onto patients.
Health On The Hill Transcript: Backlash Grows Over Contraception Rule In Health Law
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about an Obama administration rule that would require many religious-affiliated groups to cover birth control in their insurance plans. House Speaker John Boehner has suggested Congress could take legislative action to stop the rule
Backlash Grows Over Contraception Rule In Health Law
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about an Obama administration rule that would require many religious-affiliated groups to cover birth control in their insurance plans. House Speaker John Boehner has suggested Congress could take legislative action to stop the rule.
Today’s Headlines – February 8, 2012
Good morning! Here are your morning headlines: The New York Times: Talks Stall On How To Pay For Extending Payroll Tax Cut Any hope for a fast and quiet resolution to the Congressional battle over a payroll tax cut seemed to dim Tuesday as members of a bipartisan negotiating committee clashed over how to pay […]
Report: A Decrease In Teen Pregnancies, But Disparities Remain
The good news: Teen pregnancies are at their lowest rate in nearly 40 years, resulting in fewer abortions and births, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization focused on sexual and reproductive health. The report shows that about 7 percent of U.S. teen girls between the ages of 15 to 19 were […]
Santorum Attacks Romney, Obama On Health Care
After he won Republican presidential nominating contests in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado, former Sen. Rick Santorum criticized the health law, the Obama administration’s birth control coverage policies and Mitt Romney’s record. He again asserted he was the only candidate to challenge the president on health care issues.
Alzheimer’s Research Gets Funding Boost
The Obama administration announced plans Tuesday for a two-year, $156 million cash infusion for Alzheimer’s research and care. The money will help solidify a still-developing national plan to better treat and even prevent the illness by 2025. Effective immediately, the National Institutes of Health will redirect $50 million of its fiscal year 2012 budget toward […]
Minnesota Plans For Exchange, Even Without New Law
Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, said that authorization will be needed at some point from the state legislature for an exchange. But he also suggested that much work could be done ahead of legislative action.