Kaiser Health News - Medicare

Questions Emerge About Whether War Savings Can Pay For 'Doc Fix'

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:22:00 GMT

House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp said that using war savings to pay for an overhaul of the Medicare physician payment formula is likely out of the scope of the conference committee's deliberations. In addition, the proposal faces political obstacles.

States, Localities Seek Ways To Trim Health Care Costs For Employees, Retirees

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:51:00 GMT

Officials in Providence, R.I., and Iowa propose changes in health benefits. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he'll use health care reserve fund dollars to make up a shortfall.

Medicare, Deficits And The Politics Of 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:47:01 GMT

Reuters offers an analysis based on a recent poll and finds that people, shaken by the difficult economy, worry about the impact of efforts to address the nation's deficit. This concept could lead to Democrats finding traction for their positions on Medicare.

Have Some For-Profit Hospices Learned To Work The Medicare System?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:45:06 GMT

Bloomberg reports that hundreds of hospices across the U.S. exploit quirks in the Medicare payment system that yield higher reimbursements.

Hospitals Pay More For Devices, According To Government Study

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:44:50 GMT

The Wall Street Journal reports on a new study that details how hospitals pay higher tabs than others for big-ticket medical devices.

HHS Offers Progress Report On Shrinking Medicare's Doughnut Hole

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:44:39 GMT

A provision in the health law was intended to help fill a gap in Medicare's prescription drug coverage. On Thursday, administration officials said 3.6 million beneficiaries saved $2.1 billion on prescription drugs in 2011.

Research Roundup: Safety-Net Hospitals Stack Up Well Against Others

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:44:00 GMT

This week's studies come from the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Government Accountability Office, The Kaiser Family Foundation, the Journal of Health Services Research and the Institute of Medicine.

First Edition: February 3, 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:49:55 GMT

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about Medicare's 'doughnut hole,' the political climate on Capitol Hill and the Komen-Planned Parenthood flap.

With Clock Ticking, Negotiators Seek Ways To Pay For 'Doc Fix'

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Lawmakers have different ideas about financing the payroll tax break extension and the Medicare physician payment fix. One proposal getting a lot of attention is using war savings.

Health Policy Positions Offered By Romney, Santorum And Paul Draw Attention

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:52:53 GMT

In the midst of the GOP presidential primaries, Mitt Romney's comments about the safety net trigger strong reactions, while Rick Santorum delivers a speech in Colorado on health policy themes, and The Washington Post fact checks Ron Paul's comments about life before Medicare and Medicaid.

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Climbs, Premiums Fall

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:48:00 GMT

The increase in enrollment was larger than expected.

Longer Looks: Enhanced Scrutiny Of IVF Clinics; School-Based Health Care

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:46:06 GMT

A selection of in-depth articles on health policy from Time, the Columbia Journalism Review, National Review and Governing magazine.

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.

Romney Claims Florida Primary Win

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:36:13 GMT

Rick Santorum, another GOP presidential hopeful, says the messy Florida campaign caused damage to Republicans and plans to deliver a speech about "Obamacare" and "Romneycare" today in Colorado. The Democratic National Committee hits Mitt Romney on Medicare, and Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., offers legislation aimed at Newt Gingrich.

HHS: Medicare Advantage Trends -- Enrollment Up, Premiums Down

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:35:26 GMT

The Department of Health and Human Services Report, which will be released today, counters negative predictions regarding the impact the 2010 health law would have on the program.

State Roundup: Mass. Lawmakers Fight Medicare Charges

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:35:00 GMT

A selection of health policy stories from around the United States.