Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: December 1, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medicare Tightens Non-Emergency Use Of Ambulances To Combat Fraud
Advocates say many poor seniors who need dialysis and cancer treatments will have few transportation options.
More Competition Helps Restrain Premiums In Federal Health Marketplace
In counties that are adding at least one insurer next year, average premiums for the least expensive silver plan are rising 1 percent on average, compared to 7 percent in counties where the number of insurers is not changing, KHN analysis finds.
School District Pays For Health Care But Can’t Get Itemized Bill
Like most big employers, the Miami-Dade County Public School system is self-insured, but finding out just how much they are expected to pay for many health care procedures for employees is proving difficult.
Administration: Hundreds Of Thousands Already Enrolled In Obamacare
HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell made the announcement Wednesday.
Nearly Half A Million Select Obamacare Plans Through Healthcare.gov In First Week
HHS says it will provide weekly and monthly snapshots of the signups in the 37 states relying on the federal exchange.
Viewpoints: Schumer’s Second Thoughts About Obamacare; Need For ‘Candor’ On Welfare State
A selection of opinions on health care from around the United States.
State Highlights: Texas Court Rejects Mentally Ill Man’s Appeal; VA Hospital Death Probed
News outlets also look at health developments in Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, Texas and Washington state.
Longer Looks: 3-D Medical Printing; Healthier Hospitals; Early Cancer Detection Pitfalls
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Gruber Agrees To Testify On The Hill About Controversial Remarks
The consultant, who helped advise the White House on the health care law, will appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform next month.
Advocates Cheer New Rx Rules To Prevent Discrimination
Patient groups laud new HHS rules barring insurers from discriminating against those with expensive health problems, such as AIDS, but want enforcement. Advocates for the poor draw attention to the struggle in many states to re-enroll adults and children in Medicaid.
New Calorie Count Rules Cause Confusion, Pushback
The Food And Drug Administration’s calorie disclosure rules will affect many restaurants and other businesses.
HHS Plans Holiday Weekend Campaign To Remind Shoppers About Insurance Sign-Up
Also in health insurance enrollment news, the Wall Street Journal reports on problems with insurers’ lists of doctors.
A Top Democrat Says Party ‘Blew Opportunity’ With Health Care Focus
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats hurt themselves in 2009 and 2010 by putting so much effort on reforming health care, rather than on policies that would have helped a broader swath of the middle class.
Obama Order On Immigrants Could Extend Medicare Benefits
Many of the millions of people here illegally who qualify for protection under the president’s executive order would likely be eligible to receive Social Security, Medicare and a wide array of other federal benefits because they pay payroll taxes, says a White House official.
Turning 21? Here’s How To Avoid A Big Hike In Health Insurance Premiums
Coming of age can also mean a whopping 58 percent jump in the cost of your insurance.
First Edition — November 26, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Administration Warns Employers: Don’t Dump Sick Workers From Plans
Paying high-risk employees to buy exchange plans is declared illegal.
Viewpoints: As More People Covered, Fewer Doctors?; ‘Shameful’ GOP Lawsuit
A selection of opinions on health care from around the United States.