Kaiser Health News - Marketplace

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.

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.

Health Plans Must Provide Consumer-Friendly Health Plan Summaries

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:19:00 GMT

Moving to implement one of the new consumer protections in the health law, the Obama administration issued regulations Thursday requiring insurers to describe costs and benefits in clear, standardized language.

Group Seeks To Reopen Case Over Access to Plan B

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:24:00 GMT

Women's advocacy group seeks wider access to contraceptive, while study reports lowest teen pregnancy rate in decades.

Insurers Shift More Costs To Patients; Washington Insurance Commissioner Questions Surpluses

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:23:00 GMT

More insurers are shifting a growing amount of the cost of providing care to patients, Kaiser Health News reports. In other insurer news, UnitedHealth will overhaul how it pays doctors, and Washington's state insurance commissioner is asking for permission to consider insurer surpluses when mulling proposed insurance rate increases.

Viewpoints: Many Weigh In On Contraception Controversy; NEJM On Essential Benefits

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:47:52 GMT

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

Hospitals Seek To Consolidate In Ga., Wis. and N.Y.; Other State Hospital News

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:44:00 GMT

Hospitals in Atlanta, Wisconsin and New York are consolidating or partnering more closely with others in a bid to reduce costs and save themselves. In other hospital news, small California hospitals market back surgery to patients and a Minnesota hospital faces a "patient abuse" crisis.

Roundup: State Legislatures Consider Nursing Home, Insurance Exchange Bills

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:43:00 GMT

A selection of health policy stories from Texas, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Kansas, Missouri, California, Michigan, Oregon and Louisiana.

Opponents Argue The Health Law 'Went Too Far'

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:05:00 GMT

Briefs filed by 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Business argue that Congress overstepped its constitutional authority when it mandated that individuals buy health insurance or pay a penalty.

Humana, HCA Show Brighter Earnings Picture Though Worries Remain

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:36:06 GMT

Humana met analyst projections for the quarter although revenue "was softer than expected;" and HCA stock shares are rebounding amid improved employment numbers.

Question For Cardiologists Has Far-Reaching Implications For Health Care Costs

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:35:42 GMT

The Washington Post explores a key question about health care treatment options that underscores certain issues within the health care system.

States Busy Implementing Local, Federal Health Reforms

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:35:00 GMT

Vermont may for the short term allow small businesses to offer low-premium, "bronze" insurance plans. In other news, a N.J. legislative committee approved a bill to establish a state health insurance exchange, and a California plan to move 875,000 children to Medicaid raises concerns.

Some House Democrats Press For 'Essential Benefits' To Be Federal Decision

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:32:36 GMT

These House Democratic lawmakers are concerned that the Department of Health and Human Services is allowing states significant latitude in determining the definition of "essential benefits." Also in the news, the Office of Management and Budget has begun its review of the long-awaited final regulations for the establishment of state exchanges.

First Edition: February 7, 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:17:00 GMT

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports previewing what's ahead for Medicare and Medicaid in the president's upcoming budget proposal as well as progress reports from Capitol Hill on the Medicare physician pay fix.

Komen Works To Regain Balance After Planned Parenthood Funding Flap

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:38:00 GMT

News outlets parse different angles of this story -- which broke last week -- including how the Web and social media affected it and how Komen is working to rebuild its donor list.

State Roundup: Legislatures, Govs Juggling Costs And Health Programs

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:33:00 GMT

A selection of health policy stories from around the U.S.

Essential Benefits, Summaries Among Implementation Issues In The News

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:29:00 GMT

In this pair of stories, CQ HealthBeat offers the latest news on the health law's benefts summary rule and one state insurance commissioner's views on essential benefits.

First Edition: February 6, 2012

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:13:24 GMT

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the continuing fall out from the Obama administration's birth control rule and the latest on the Komen foundation's efforts to bounce back from the Planned Parenthood funding flap.