Latest KFF Health News Stories
ProPublica: Medicare Could Save Billions With Generic Drugs
The nonprofit news service analyzed millions of prescriptions. Also, a CMS official says “the Medicare program is stronger today than in recent memory.”
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Calif. Fines Three Insurers For Denying Therapy
A selection of health policy stories from California, Colorado, Kansas and Florida.
Jousting Over Medicaid Expansion
In Alaska, Gov. Sean Parnell said Friday his state will not expand Medicaid under the health law, while reports from Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Maine assess the decisions — and, in some cases, continued lobbying — in those states.
First Edition: November 19, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news that Obama administration officials were warned about the possibility of website difficulties months ago by an outside consulting firm.
In Pa., A Big Gap In Health Insurance Coverage
As many as 400,000 Pennsylvanians, most of them low-wage workers, will go without coverage next year because Pennsylvania officials have not opted to take federal money available under the health law to expand Medicaid.
Scott Walker’s Medicaid Maneuver
The Wisconsin governor, who may have presidential ambitions, wants to take people off BadgerCare and have them shop for subsidized coverage on healthcare.gov.
3 State Exchange Leaders Try To Get Good News Out
Democrats in states running their own exchanges are seeking to put a more positive spin on the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, despite the mostly negative news coming out of Washington. “What we’re seeing is incredible momentum,” Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, said during a conference call for reporters held by Families […]
As open enrollment continues under the health law, insurance columnist answers questions about issues affecting readers.
Grants Help States Combat High-Cost, Low-Quality Health Care
The Affordable Care Act offers state grants to reward doctors for quality health care.
Practical Challenges For Insurers Studying Whether To Extend Canceled Plans
On PBS NewsHour Friday, KHN’s Julie Appleby discussed what insurers are weighing as they decide whether or not to extend previously canceled health insurance policies into 2014. Watch the report in the video player above.
White House Struggles To Save Health Law
The Associated Press reports the president needs breakthroughs on three fronts: the cancellations and technology messes and the crisis in confidence among his own supporters. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports the White House is probing how the rollout flopped despite what they had believed was sufficient planning.
News outlets examine the continuing reaction to President Barack Obama’s fix as well as how the news is playing on the state level.
What’s The Healthcare.Gov Goal? 80 Percent Enrollment Success Rate
Obama administration officials are quietly hoping 80 percent of users will be able to enroll in health insurance plans on the federal health law’s healthcare.gov website once it is fixed, The Washington Post reports. In the meantime, other website snags come to light — a lack of Spanish-language materials and early alarm at some problems at rolling out the site.
High-Risk Insurance Pools Gaining Second Life In Some States
The Wall Street Journal reports on developments related to insurance coverage and high-risk patients, as well as emerging concerns about how insurance costs could impact consumer spending.
Pelosi Downplays Democratic Defections On Health Law
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., minimized reports of unrest within her caucus after 39 Democrats voted for a bill allowing insurers to sell plans for one more year that don’t meet the health law’s requirements.
Furor Over Health Law May Alter 2014 Campaign Calculus
Media outlets analyze the impact of public anger over the troubled implementation of the health law on prospects for congressional deals on immigration reform and the budget, as well as on 2014 election campaigns.
D.C. Insurance Commissioner Fired After Questioning Obama’s Fix For ‘Canceled Plans’
After publicly criticizing the president’s proposed fix for plans that had been canceled under the health law and saying the District of Columbia might not go along, D.C.’s insurance commissioner was fired by the mayor’s office late last week.
State Highlights: Tenn. Gov. Hesitates On Medicaid Expansion
A selection of health policy stories from Tennessee, California, Michigan, Minnesota and Texas.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.