Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pressure Rising To Avoid Federal Spending Cuts That Will Impact Health Programs
Although Medicare and Medicaid will be largely unscathed in the March 1 sequestration, other health-related efforts including medical research, mental health treatments and drug approvals face reductions.
Medicaid Expansion Puts Spotlight On Access To Primary Care
The Affordable Care Act will usher at least seven million more Americans into Medicaid next year, but the question of whether enough doctors will be there to welcome them is keeping some state health policymakers up at night.
Oregon May Provide Model For Restructuring Medicaid In Alabama
Alabama lawmakers will soon consider a proposal from Gov. Robert Bentley for a Medicaid overhaul based in part on Oregon’s groundbreaking “community care organizations.” Although Bentley has said he would not support an expansion of Medicaid “under its current structure,” the expected reforms are seen as paving the way for a possible expansion as early as 2015.
Medicaid Transformation Watched Closely In Florida
The federal government gave the green light to Florida to put its long-term-care Medicaid patients into managed care. The big question now is: Will it work?
Kansas’ Great Hope: Managed Care Will Tame Medicaid Costs
Starting this year, the state — hoping to control costs and improve quality — has moved almost all of its Medicaid recipients into managed care plans.
Florida Gets Green Light For Medicaid Managed Care
Medicaid-eligible seniors who need long-term care likely will start enrolling later this year in HMOs and another type of health plan known as a “provider service network.” The long-term care changes are the first phase of a controversial proposal to shift Medicaid beneficiaries statewide into managed care.
Obama: ‘Medicare and Medicaid … Strengthen Us’
Video: In his second inaugural speech Monday, President Barack Obama discussed the need to reduce health costs — but also defended the importance of Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicaid Expansion May Be Key To Restoring State Mental Health Funding
Few states are poised to spend their own money to reverse as much as a decade of budget cutbacks in mental health care.
Obama: ‘Our Commitment To Medicare
At a White House news conference Monday, President Obama discusses how he sees Medicare, Medicaid and other health care spending factoring into the looming conflict over raising the federal debt ceiling.
Voice For Medicare, Medicaid Retiring
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who helped create the Children’s Health Insurance Program and fought to protect the social safety net, says he will not seek reelection in 2014.
Fla. Gov. Scott to Look at Other Medicaid Cost Estimates
In several public statements, Gov. Rick Scott has cited $26 billion as the 10-year cost of Medicaid expansion in Florida, saying he got it from the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration.
Florida’s Gov. Scott, Chief Opponent Of Health Law, Meets With HHS Chief Sebelius
Gov. Rick Scott visited Washington to press HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for approval on the Florida’s Medicaid managed care plans. Afterward, he offered few details about their discussion on another major issue — how, or if, the state will carry out key parts of the Affordable Care Act.
Florida Facing Huge Medicaid, ‘Obamacare’ Decisions In 2013
State leaders could move forward with a long-awaited overhaul of the Medicaid system and likely will decide how to carry out the federal health law, affecting the health care of millions of poor and uninsured Floridians.
Letters to the Editor is a periodic KHN feature. We welcome all comments and will publish a selection.
Health Law Seen Boosting Xerox, HP
Data companies are poised to profit from the expansion of Medicaid.
HHS Tells States It Will Not Fund Partial Medicaid Expansion
In a letter to governors, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says states that expand Medicaid must cover people making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level to get enhanced funding.
Huge Experiment Aims To Save On Care For Poorest, Sickest Patients
An effort in California to move Medicaid patients into managed care has national significance as federal officials roll out a similar but larger program for as many as 2 million people who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare.
California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, is trying to save money by moving thousands of its patients into managed care health plans. For Juan Cameros, that meant he could no longer see the surgeon who had been treating him.
Medicare Changes Loom As ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Negotiations Pick Up
Health on the Hill: KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about Republican and Democratic proposals and possible cuts in federal health care spending.
How The ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Affects Health Care: Six Questions
As Congress and the president aim for a deal by year’s end, there may be serious consequences for health programs.
