Latest KFF Health News Stories
Senate Dems Express Increasing Alarm Over Website Issues
With its first rocky month down, some say the most critical days are beginning for healthcare.gov. Meanwhile, the technical difficulties that have plagued the site are starting to chip away at the Democratic unity that has, so far, surrounded it. Some senators, for instance, are beginning to express concerns about its impact on the upcoming mid-term election and are calling for a delay in the individual mandate penalties if the website is not soon operational.
Politics, Implementation Pressures May Have Worked Against Website’s Technical Needs
News outlets take a long look at the moving parts that were in play as the problem-plagued federal health exchange website was under construction.
A divided federal appeals court on Friday ruled against the health law’s requirement that businesses with 50 or more workers cover birth control in employee health plans.
Tracking Health Law Policy, Politics On Capitol Hill
A Democratic House member grapples with the troubles in the health law rollout. CBO releases numbers on adding Capitol Hill staffers to the exchanges and a House committee ponders subpoenas to get exchange enrollment numbers. Also, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., readies a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Study Finds One In Five People Who Visited Health Website Enrolled In A Plan
A Commonwealth Fund survey also finds that 17 percent of those eligible for a marketplace plan have reached out online, on the phone or in person to get information, PoliticoPro reports. Other outlets look at news about state marketplaces.
Obama Seeks To Rally Health Law Support With Appearances This Week
President Barack Obama will push the benefits of the health law at appearances this week to rally support to help the fledgling law.
Figuring Out Health Law Winners And Losers Involves Trade-Offs; Triggers Anxiety, Confusion
News outlets examine a range of policy issues related to the health law and its implementation.
Federal officials last week OK’d allowing pharmaceutical companies to help cover patient out-of-pocket costs for costly drugs in the health law’s insurance exchanges, a closely watched move by drug companies and patient advocates.
Consumers Losing Their Health Policies Could Become Potent Political Force
Several news stories examine how this group is adept at generating attention, especially among its elected representatives.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Hightlights: GOP Tries Abortion Issue To Lure Hispanic Vote
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, California and West Virginia.
First Edition: November 4, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest on the efforts to address the problems with healthcare.gov, as well as the continuing controversy surrounding President Barack Obama’s promise that Americans could keep their health coverage if they liked it juxtaposed with the news of recent policy cancellations.
So You Found An Exchange Plan. But Can You Find A Provider?
Many health plans being offered on the New York State insurance marketplace do not include some of New York City’s biggest hospitals in their networks. And across the state, many doctors say they are not yet participating in exchange plans at all.
Doctors Treat New Condition: Questions About Health Law
Health officials are counting on physicians to help educate patients about new insurance options under the health law. But like everyone else, doctors have differing opinions about Obamacare.
In Alabama, Lack Of Competition May Be Behind Insurance Premium Costs
The health law is being blamed for policy cancellations and replacement rate shock. But in Alabama, some say a lack of competition among insurance companies is a big part of the problem.
Adding To Health Insurance Confusion, Other Groups Try To Cash In
With the federal exchanges still not working well, some uninsured people are turning to local groups to figure what to do. In Florida, a lack of coordination among different agencies is leaving room for dubious outfits to enter the scene.
Romney Says Obama’s ‘Fundamental Dishonesty’ Is Undermining Second Term
Former GOP presidential candidate says Obama did not learn the lessons of the Massachusetts’ health overhaul.
Appeals Court Rules Against Health Law’s Contraception Rule
The decision was in a case of Catholic employers who oppose the requirement that most insurance policies include free coverage for women’s birth control.
Health Insurance Sign Ups Are New Service At Annual Free Clinic In L.A.
LOS ANGELES — Drawn by the promise of free health care, residents from throughout Southern California flocked to the L.A. Sports Arena beginning Thursday to get their cavities filled, blood pressure checked and eyes tested. The Care Harbor L.A. event, in its fifth year, expects to treat about 3,750 people over four days. But this […]
Insurers Seek To Explain The Factors Behind Wave Of Health Plan Cancellations
The top trade group for health insurers, among others, is attempting to explain the “why” behind these recent developments.