Latest Morning Briefing Stories
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.
Fiscal Cliff: What Is At Stake For Medicare And Medicaid?
Jackie Judd talks to KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey about the budget negotiation scenarios for Medicare, where the “doc fix” fits into the budget picture, and whether Medicaid cuts are possible.
Maine May Warm To ‘Obamacare’ After Democratic Sweep
Newly elected lawmakers pledge to push ahead with health law implementation despite the Republican governor’s opposition.
Obama Win Boosts Health Law, But States Still Control Its Destiny
State lawmakers will control big coverage decisions, including whether to expand Medicaid to cover millions of uninsured.
As California Prepares To Expand Medicaid, Only the Poorest Will Benefit In Sacramento
This month Sacramento rolls out the Low Income Health Program, but it will only be serving the poorest of the poor in the county.
Questions Linger About Implementing Doctors’ Medicaid Pay Raise
The health law seeks to lure more doctors to treat the poor by increasing the pay rates but states and physicians have concerns about how this will work.
Nursing Home Patients Returning To The Community
A federal program is helping thousands of elderly and disabled patients transition from nursing homes to more independent living.
Accountable Care Explained: An Experiment in State Health Policy
ACOs are among the most ambitious of the new Medicaid cost containment and quality improvement schemes that have arisen in response to the federal health law and state fiscal pressures.
Video: Weighing The Impact Of Health Issues On Campaign 2012
KHN hosts a discussion on the Obama and Romney plans with former Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle and conservative health care analyst Avik Roy, followed by a reporters’ roundtable with KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Sarah Varney, Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post and Politico’s Jonathan Allen.
Denver Debate: Medicaid As A Domestic Priority
The Medicaid program was not a major focus of Wednesday night’s debate between President Barack Obama and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, but it was a topic of discussion as the two candidates laid out their domestic policy priorities.
How Will The Election Change Medicaid?
Frequently asked questions about Romney and Obama’s very different visions for the future of state-federal health program.
Maine Seeks To Cut Medicaid Eligibility
Gov. Paul LePage is seeking cuts to the rolls of MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, by more than 23,000 people and reduced benefits for nearly 3,800 others.
Eyes Turn To Arkansas’ Bold Effort To Cut Medicaid Costs, Add Transparency
Arkansas hopes a unique collaboration with the state’s big insurers can help them and the state.
Analysis: Access To Health Care Beginning To Look Like Airline Travel
This metaphor may be useful in decoding the gradations and complexities of insurance coverage and access to care.
