Latest KFF Health News Stories
Insurers Push For Workaround That Would Allow Them To Directly Enroll People
The New York Times reports on this push, which is one of several ways some are discussing to get around the current technology problems plaguing the Obama administration’s enrollment effort. Also in the news, The Wall Street Journal reports that some of these difficulties are trickling down from the federal online insurance marketplace to certain state exchanges.
For vulnerable House Democrats, the task of blunting criticism of the overhaul is especially important. Meanwhile, House Republicans have a plan to keep playing offense on the issue, with a number of votes planned this week.
Challenge Of Signing Up Young Adults; Subsidies Key To Insurance Decisions
NewsHour looks at the efforts in Wisconsin to interest the “young invincibles” in health care coverage. Meanwhile, news organizations in Connecticut and Minnesota look at the complicated calculations for premium subsidies.
Searching For A Fix To The Canceled Policy Problem
Politico reports that finding a fix that won’t disrupt the insurance market is no easy task. Meanwhile, in California, Anthem Blue Cross has announced that it will grant a two-month extension to a portion of its canceled policyholders.
Unlike Health Law Counterparts, Young Adults Can’t Stay On TRICARE To Age 26
Young adult dependents are not allowed to stay on TRICARE until age 26 unlike under the health law, Fox News reports. Some health law fine print means states have significant leeway in deciding how much or how little dental coverage to offer to children.
Senate Compounding Pharmacy Oversight Bill Faces ‘Obamacare’ Test
A Senate vote is planned for Tuesday on whether the federal government can exercise tighter control of compounding pharmacies like the one that killed more than 60 people last year. The vote faces an “Obamacare” hurdle, however, from Sen. David Vitter, R-La.
Oversight Investigation Turns Up CMS Memo About ‘High’ Website Security Risks
But news outlets are reporting that the project manager working on the healthcare.gov website was not made aware of these issues.
Lawmakers Face Their Own Health Law Reality: Navigating The Online Exchanges
Lawmakers and some of their aides are preparing to navigate the health law’s online insurance exchanges to buy coverage. An Alaskan senator is declining the employer contribution subsidy to buy coverage, and some senators will ask for a full investigation of the troubled startup of Healthcare.gov.
Tech Companies Ready New Tools To Cash In On Health Law Enrollment
Tech companies are preparing new software and apps to cash in on the million of Americans who will soon be making insurance decisions for the first time. In the meantime, how three 20-somethings were able to get an insurance-shopping website up and running when more than 50 contractors could not.
The Associated Press reports on the larger enrollment in states that are expanding their Medicaid programs. However, The New York Times points out that the snags on the marketplace websites may be holding up thousands of others who will be eligible for the state-federal program for low-income people.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, the District of Columbia and California.
Insuring Your Health: Prevention Programs For People Without Insurance Still Play Key Role
Although the health law could expand coverage to millions, many low-income people and others will not have insurance and will still have to rely on these programs for preventive care.
First Edition: November 12, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports and analysis about the number of people — an amount far fewer than the administration’s target — who enrolled during October in a health plan through the health law’s online insurance marketplaces.
Prevention Programs For People Without Insurance Still Play Key Role
Although the health law could expand coverage to millions, many low-income people and others will not have insurance and will still have to rely on these programs for preventive care.
Washington State To 8,000 Obamacare Enrollees: We Goofed On Cost Estimate
This story was produced in partnership with About 8,000 Washington residents will soon receive letters informing them that the price they are expecting to pay for health insurance purchased on the new online exchange marketplace is incorrect. The letters are part of an effort by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which operates the exchange, to […]
P.R. For Obamacare Stalls In Illinois, Missouri
While Cover Missouri and Get Covered Illinois are staying active on social media, they’ve put mass media advertising efforts on hold until the federal government’s website is fixed.
GOP Sees Potential In Health Law’s Problems, As Roll-Out Takes Toll On Obama’s Ratings
Even as Republican lawmakers took a hard line during the weekend talk shows, Democrats still maintain the measure will, in the end, be a political advantage.
Zients Warned Years Ago About Problems With Federal IT
News outlets report on the various approaches being taken to healthcare.gov’s problems.
State Highlights: Wide Variation In Indigent Care Among California Counties, Report Finds
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Oregon and Iowa.