Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Berenson: Take Small Steps Now To Lower Medicare Costs
Robert Berenson, an Urban Institute fellow and former official at the Department of Health and Human Services, says a number of small Medicare initiatives are “low-hanging fruit” that could be pursued now in order to control the program’s spending.
Controlling Medicare Costs – Robert Berenson
The Urban Institute’s Robert Berenson talks about controlling Medicare costs and says it’s not about rationing but about identifying places where the health care program is being abused.
It’s a good sign
HHS Scales Back Rules On Health Insurance Appeals
Administration disappoints some patient advocates with new regulations setting up review process that consumers can seek when plans deny coverage.
The author is responding to recent coverage of the Blue Shield Of California announcement that it will cap its profits.
Appealing An Insurer’s Denial Is Often A Good Strategy
GAO finds most claims problems come from billing and eligibility issues, and beneficiaries often win when they appeal.
Effort To End Surgeries On Wrong Patient Or Body Part Falters
Experts thought simple steps, such as marking the surgical site and taking a timeout to confirm the details, would end the problem. But it turns out to be more complicated to change the culture of hospitals and doctors.
Low-Income Families’ Rx For Health Reform (Guest Opinion)
For health reform to truly take root, we should take our cue from the millions of low-income Californians who have the most at stake
‘Double’ Chest Scans Increase Costs And Exposure To Radiation
Many hospitals are performing unusually large numbers of a type of CT scan experts say should be done sparingly.
Video: Rockefeller Says He Will Fight ‘To The End’ Against Medicaid Cuts
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks to Sen. Rockefeller about his efforts to defend the Medicaid program.
Rockefeller Says He Will Fight ‘To The End’ Against Medicaid Cuts-The KHN Interview
W.Va. senator is working to raise defenses against efforts in the deficit reduction talks to reduce funding for the health care program that covers the poor and disabled.
Enthusiasm Rises Among Med Students For Primary Care-The KHN Interview
Dr. Andy Bindman says educators at the University of California, San Francisco, are seeing a “pretty significant uptick” in applicants for primary care residencies.
Built To Fail: Health Insurance Exchanges Under The Affordable Care Act (Guest Opinion)
The House of Representatives voted last month to repeal funding for the state health-insurance exchanges. The vote reflects a grassroots revolt. But a better approach might be to rally around the original tenets of the health exchange model.
There’s been a lot of talk among state policymakers, industry stakeholders and the media about whether exchanges should be “active” or “passive” purchasers of health insurance.
Out-Of-Network Ambulance Rides Can Bring Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Consumers, who often don’t have a choice of ambulance services, can be left holding the bill when insurers refuse to pay entire cost.
On Political Expediency and Health Care Reform (Guest Opinion)
Once upon a time, President Barack Obama and many others who championed his health care plan actually professed faith in the power of a functioning health care marketplace. That now seems like a distant memory.
A Health Policy Reality Check (Guest Opinion)
We occupy a strange time in U.S. health policy. Over the past two years, assumptions and beliefs that bridged the liberal-conservative health policy divide have been blown apart.
Blue Shield Of California Sets Profit Cap Other Insurers May Not Imitate
Blue Shield of California’s decision to cap profits at 2 percent was widely applauded, but other health insurers aren’t likely to follow suit.
Another Day In Court For The Individual Mandate (Guest Opinion)
Could the health law be overturned on the basis of the requirement that nearly everyone obtain health insurance? Sure. But it would be one more sign that the courts are establishing new limits on federal power, rather than recognizing existing ones. That is not something conservative judges, in particular, say they like to do.
Soaring Health Costs Pinned On Medical Devices
The latest devices
