Latest KFF Health News Stories
High Court Weighs Whether To Hear Health Law Challenge
This week, the Supreme Court is expected to announce whether it will hear another legal challenge to the health law, King v. Burwell, which could potentially roll back subsidized insurance in many states.
Tweaks To Small Business Exchange Still Underway
Administration officials say the website for small-business employees will be ready by Nov. 15. Meanwhile, healthcare.gov — the site for individual consumers — is expected to be more user-friendly this time round but will still have back-end issues making it difficult for insurance plans to get timely and complete information. And a Bankrate survey projects that half of Obamacare enrollees may not re-enroll.
First Edition: November 3, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Home Health Workers Struggle For Better Pay And Health Insurance
Home health care aides often toil for low pay and in jobs without benefits, including health insurance. A million more home health care workers will be needed to meet demand over the next decade.
Oportunidades y Obstáculos Para Familias Con Estatus Migratorio Mixto
Los Bravos son una familia indocumentada que enfrenta muchas dificultades para obtener cobertura médica debido a su estatus migratorio.
Undocumented Immigrant Not Allowed To Buy Health Insurance Through Marketplace
Even though Jessica Bravo, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, isn’t allowed to buy coverage under the Affordable Care Act, she works as a health outreach worker to educate people about the new health law. Until a few months ago, the 19-year-old Costa Mesa resident didn’t know coverage was a possibility for her as well.
California Audit Finds Backlog Of 11,000 Nursing Home Investigations
California’s public health department has failed to adequately manage investigations of nursing homes statewide, resulting in a backlog of more than 11,000 complaints, according to an audit released Thursday.
Obamacare May Mean High Drug Costs For Floridians With HIV
ACA insurance plans may not be cheaper — or even affordable — for those with HIV and AIDS because of high medication costs, according to patient advocates.
Viewpoints: Ebola Errors; McConnell’s Mixed Message; Shifts In Mental Health Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: The Effects Of ACOs; Declines In Medical Liability Payments
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
State Highlights: Ga. Official On Insurer’s Contract With Docs; Calif. Nursing Home Audit
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Montana, West Virginia and Louisiana.
Florida Medicaid Lawsuit Delayed Again
Medicaid lawsuits and settlements also make news in Kansas and Louisiana. In the meantime, a proposal in Alaska to limit Medicaid payments for physical, occupational and speech therapy draws protests.
Candidate Credentials Hinging On Health Law
Elsewhere, a “health care compact” to give states more control over their health care, and less power to the federal health law, becomes a campaign issue in Kansas.
Debate Heats Up Over Mandatory Quarantines For People Who Are Not Sick
NPR reports that legal experts contend that certain states may be going too far. In addition, The Associated Press examines how the Ebola protocols for returning military and civilian workers are different.
Aging Baby Boomers Spark High-Tech Health Innovation
Entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are building companies to address the needs of baby boomers as they age. Meanwhile, health insurers Cigna, Aetna and Humana continue to report revenue increases as the financial losses from the Affordable Care Act decline in the third quarter.
HHS Watchdog Criticizes Medicare Rule That Allows Drug Purchases After Patient’s Death
Also, in other Medicare news, officials cut $60 million from Medicare spending on home health services.
Democrats Face Voter Appeal Challenges On Health Care, Safety Net
The Wall Street Journal looks at how Democratic messaging on health care and other social and safety-net issues is playing during this election season. Also, the Sacramento Bee and CBS News parse the veracity of campaign ads.
As GOP Election-Day Confidence Grows, McConnell Reiterates Obamacare Opposition
Earlier in the week, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who hopes the mid-terms will not only result in his re-election but also GOP control of the Senate and his own rise to majority leader, made comments that repeal of the health law might not be in the cards. Since then, however, he has sought to reassure conservatives about his opposition to the overhaul. Meanwhile, other news outlets analyze how a Republican majority in the Senate, and other electoral outcomes, might impact the health policy agenda.
Insurers Predict Surge In Obamacare Sign-Ups
Reuters reports that insurers selling 2015 health law plans expect at least 20 percent growth in customers and more than a doubling in some states. Also in the news, reports about enrollment efforts in California and premium cost confusion in Minnesota and North Carolina.
First Edition: October 30, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.