All Kaiser Health News

FAQ: The Obama Administration's Compromise On Contraception Benefits

Mary Agnes Carey — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:32:00 GMT

The Obama administration, stung by fierce opposition from Catholic leaders to a new rule requiring that insurance plans offer free contraception, announced revised regulations Friday. Kaiser Health News summarizes common questions and answers to explain the new policy.

Bishops, GOP Candidates Push Back Against Obama's Contraception Compromise

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:24:50 GMT

News outlets reported on the buzz generated by President Barack Obama's announcement yesterday of a compromise on the administration's requirement that most health plans provide birth control access for free.

Video: President Obama On New Contraception Rules

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:40:00 GMT

The president was joined by HHS Secretary Sebelius as he announced a revision of the rule requiring that insurance plans offer free contraception, so that religious-affiliated groups don’t have to take responsibility for the coverage.

The White House Fact Sheet On The Contraception Compromise

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:03:00 GMT

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.

Obama Announces Shift In Contraception Rule

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:05:00 GMT

KHN tracked the related news coverage.

Coakley and Cuccinelli Debate The Health Law

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:21:27 GMT

Two prominent state attorneys general examined the health law case before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that some senators are pushing to get television cameras in the Supreme Court.

New Contraceptive Rule Has Precedents In Federal, State Law

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:17:34 GMT

NPR reports that not much has changed in the new regulation other than requiring coverage for contraceptives at no cost, while CNN reports on the escalating "rhetorical war" in Washington.

Viewpoints: Contraception As Obama's 'Gospel'; The Right Balance? Freedom At Risk?; Examining Medicaid Mandate

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:15:13 GMT

A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.

Obama Readies Compromise On Birth Control Mandate

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:14:00 GMT

The Obama administration Friday morning signaled a new compromise on a rule that would require even most religious employer health plans to cover contraception at no cost to employees.

Examining Komen's History With Planned Parenthood; Rep. Blackburn Wants Expanded Planned Parenthood Investigation

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:14:00 GMT

ProPublica examines Komen's shifting history with Planned Parenthood. In other news, Planned Parenthood's services for men are examined and a Republican congresswoman is asking for a larger investigation of the organization.

Health Spending, Insurance Profits Down

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:12:30 GMT

Health spending has declined, according to a new study, and it appears to be affecting insurance company bottom lines.

President's Budget Not Expected To Tackle Entitlement Costs

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:11:06 GMT

News outlets are reporting that the budget President Barack Obama will release Monday will leave Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security spending "largely untouched."

Birth Control Mandate Is A Rallying Cry In Presidential Campaigns

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:08:00 GMT

Rick Santorum uses the issue to try to rally the conservative base, while some Democratic strategists call the White House's embrace of contraceptive coverage a political plus with young, female voters.

Some Senate Democrats Split From White House On Contraception Rule

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:07:00 GMT

West Virginia's Joe Manchin introduced a bill to block the new rule on contraception coverage, while many other senators say they would like to see a compromise between the administration and opponents of the rule.

Catholics Choosing Sides In Contraception Battle As Bishops Lead Fight Against Administration

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:03:00 GMT

The conflict has American Catholics choosing sides. Catholics, who are often swing voters in presidential elections, narrowly support the White House position in polls.

State Legislatures Face Tough Decisions On Long-Term Care, Abortion Rules, Pain Prescriptions, Coordinated Care

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:01:03 GMT

News from state legislatures in Washington state, Oregon, Kansas, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Leavitt Says Exchanges Are Here To Stay

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:58:58 GMT

As efforts to implement the health law move forward, Politico Pro talks to Michael Leavitt about state exchanges, and KHN examines the administration's strategy for prevention funding.

Negotiations Stalled on House-Senate Package That Would Avert Medicare Pay Cuts for Doctors

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:53:00 GMT

The Republican plan to pay for the package, which includes extending a payroll tax cut, calls for a premium increase for upper-income Medicare patients that has been rejected by Democrats. Democrats have offered to trim unemployment benefits by six weeks.

State Roundup: Fraud Crackdowns, Searching For More Doctors, Immigrant Health Care

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:44:34 GMT

A selection of stories from Texas, Illinois, California, Massachusetts, Georgia and Connecticut

Health Insurance Exchanges Stall In Kansas And Georgia

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:28:04 GMT

Meanwhile, in Illinois, legislation to establish insurance co-ops moved forward.