Kaiser Health News

The business of hospitals makes news in California -- where sides are engaged in a bidding war to buy a famed Santa Monica hospital; Virginia -- where pediatricians eye a new children's hospital; and Oregon, where lawmakers passed a new hospital tax.

The New York Times reports that a new report estimated the national median daily cost of a private nursing home room to be $230 a day, some $6,900 per month.

In addition, Florida health experts say that state's decision not to pursue the expansion is "bad for business."

The grants will go to 48 organizations to help the state explain benefits, show consumers how to access insurance and encourage small businesses to participate.

The state will become the first to use a legislative vote to legalize physician-assisted suicide after the governor, who has expressed his support for the measure, signs the bill.

Medicaid doctors continue to wait for their pay raise -- five months after they were supposed to get it. In Connecticut, some allege a backlog of applications for the program breaks federal law, and are suing to stop it.

A selection of health policy stories from California, Georgia, New York, Florida, California and Kansas.

The Wall Street Journal reports how uncertainty about the expense of insuring employees could be leading to a slow down by some fast-food chains.

House Republicans have scheduled a vote to undo the health law. This vote marks the 37th time the chamber has considered legislation to repeal, defund or strike all or part of the measure. Meanwhile, The Washington Post fact checks how many pages of regulations exist regarding Obamacare. Also, House and Senate lawmakers continue questioning Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on her search for private funds for the health law's implementation.

Physicians are experimenting with new business models and practice techniques in response to financial and lifestyle pressures.

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the latest Congressional Budget Office projections could further stall efforts to reach a grand bargain that includes changes to Medicare and other entitlement programs.

Physicians are experimenting with new business models and practice techniques in response to financial and lifestyle pressures.

Congressional Republicans want to know whom she contacted and which other HHS officials are involved, while Sen. Lamar Alexander said he would ask the Government Accountability Office to investigate. A Sebelius spokesman said her actions were legal and that she had not solicited pharmaceutical and insurance companies regulated by the agency.

These payments, known as disproportionate share hospital payments, go to hospitals that treat a high number of uninsured patients.

McClatchy reports that projections highlight how the shortage of physicians in general as well as those who choose not to accept Medicaid patients could undermine the health law's intent. Also in the news, fits and starts surround this health law provision in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio and Colorado.

A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado and California.

The Wall Street Journal reports many people were talking about a possible compromise.

Ranbaxy USA admits to selling adulterated drugs and lying to regulators.

The Justice Department is asking for a stay of a federal judge's order that would make the drug available over the counter to women of any age.

Roll Call reports that many of the people who sign up for insurance through the new online marketplaces will face language barriers, or may never have had coverage before. Also, CQ HealthBeat reports that Web-based insurance brokers want "a place at the table."