Kaiser Health News - Medicaid

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.

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."

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

First Edition: February 10, 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:20:07 GMT

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations examine the congressional stalemate on the tax package that includes a Medicare pay fix for doctors and the latest developments in the controversy over new regulations that would require religious organizations offering health insurance to workers to include free contraceptives.

Medicaid Changes Eyed In Georgia, California and Connecticut

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:18:44 GMT

Georgia and Connecticut mull reforms, while California deals with the reversal of its plan to charge co-payments.

New Program Aims To Reduce Early Elective Deliveries

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:10:42 GMT

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the "Strong Start" initiative on Wednesday.

White House Budget Trims Medicare With Cuts Focused On Insurance Company Payments, Hospitals

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:44:00 GMT

Details continue to emerge regarding what President Barack Obama's soon-to-be released budget will include.

Washington State's Medicaid Program Will No Longer Pay For Unnecessary ER Visits

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:43:00 GMT

Washington state's Medicaid program will no longer pay for ER visits deemed medically unnecessary. Elsewhere, Illinois' governor will propose $2 billion in Medicaid cuts, and fallout continues over controversial proposals to reform California's Medicaid Medi-Cal program.

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.

Obama Administration Rejects Calif. Medicaid Co-Pay Proposal

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Obama administration said no Monday to California's proposal to help close its budget gap by charging Medicaid beneficiaries co-pays on doctor visits, hospitals stays and prescription drugs. Elsewhere, Texas is planning a change to how it doles out charity care pay in its Medicaid program.

President's Budget Plan To Include Medicare And Medicaid Spending Cuts But No Structural Changes

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:31:39 GMT

The Wall Street Journal previews elements of the Obama administration's budget proposal, which is expected to be released next week.

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.

Medicaid News: Kansas Insurer Says 'No' To Medicaid

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:47:00 GMT

Medicaid coverage is making news in Kansas, Connecticut and Colorado.

Medicaid Managed Care Takes Hold In Louisiana

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:48:00 GMT

The first-stage of Gov. Jindal's Medicaid restructing begins today. In Florida, the legislative report casts doubt on some efforts there to revamp the system. Meanwhile, Illinois' governor is urging changes to Medicaid to help fix the state's budget.

The Health Law Implementation Challenges Faced By States

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:46:00 GMT

States' ability to implement the major changes that take effect in 2014 are tied to the decisions they face now. Meanwhile, governors' "state of the state" speeches reflect an overall cautious mood.

First Edition: February 2, 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:28:14 GMT

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports from Capitol Hill about ongoing efforts to reach a deal on the "doc fix" as well as the latest on the flap between the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and Planned Parenthood.

CBO: Federal Health Spending To Double Over The Next Decade

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:46:00 GMT

In its budget and economic outlook, the Congressional Budget Office projects an 8 percent annual increase in health spending between 2012 and 2022, mainly because of an aging U.S. population and rising treatment costs. The analysis includes a bigger pricetag for a permanent fix to the Medicare physician payment formula.

Medicaid: Wis. Program Facing $141 Million Shortfall

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:36:00 GMT

Supporters of a proposed Connecticut health plan for poor adults say it should be implemented soon to help support state efforts to expand coverage under the federal health law in 2014. Also, a report in Wisconsin finds that the Medicaid program will run short of funds over the next year and a half.

Nursing Homes, Hospitals Warn Against Reimbursement Cuts

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:35:00 GMT

As the House and Senate conferees continue to hold meetings to reach an agreement to extend the payroll tax break and the Medicare "doc fix," health care interests are offering input into the process and making pleas to ward off what they say would be deep and damaging spending reductions.