Kaiser Health News - Politics

President's Budget To Call For Medicare, Medicaid Cuts - But No Major Changes

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:24:29 GMT

The multi-trillion-dollar proposal will be unveiled Monday.

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.

Obama Announces Shift In Contraception Rule

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:05:00 GMT

KHN tracked the related news coverage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Democrats To Unveil Options To Pay For 'Doc Fix,' Other Measures

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:18:10 GMT

News about SGR funding negotiations, other Medicare developments from around the country.

Komen's Brinker Apologizes For 'How We Mishandled This Situation'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:04:40 GMT

In a letter to Washington Post columnist Sally Quinn, the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure writes, "I made some mistakes."

Some High-Profile Catholic Democrats Are Criticizing HHS Rule

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Sens. Robert Casey and Joe Manchin, Rep. John Larson and Obama adviser Tim Kaine are breaking with the White House on the contraception controversy.

White House Scrambles For Compromise On Birth Control Rule

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:53:00 GMT

Officials say Obama remains committed to the HHS regulation, amid indications they are exploring ways to get around religious groups' complaints.

Congressional Republicans Vow To Overturn Contraception Rule

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:49:58 GMT

Speaker John Boehner was among those who promised Wednesday to get rid of the administration's regulation that would require religious employers, such as hospitals, charities and universities, to cover free birth control for employees.