Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the White House’s strategy for building support for the health law.
Obamacare Canvassers Seek Out Florida’s Uninsured
Enroll America volunteers use census data and telephone surveys to identify people without coverage but finding them can still be challenging.
Maryland Regulators Slash Rates For Obamacare Insurance Policies
Consumer advocates praise rates that are more affordable, but others question whether they can be sustained.
Some GOP Lawmakers Advance Plan For Health Law Showdown
Politico reports that a feud is brewing among Republicans about whether to use a government funding measure to choke off funding for the law’s implementation ahead of this fall’s budget battles.
Buying Obamacare Coverage Online May Require More Than Clicks
The Associated Press notes that shopping online for health insurance this fall may not be as easy as supporters have described since some tools may not be in place by Oct. 1. Meanwhile, Politico reports on warnings by Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, that consumers who misreport their income to qualify for insurance subsidies will have to pay them back the following year.
Research Roundup: Even Parents With A Pediatrician Often Choose Retail Clinics
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, JAMA Pediatrics, JAMA, The Kaiser Family Foundation and news outlets.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Coalition Begins Effort For Ballot Initiative To Lift California’s Malpractice Cap
Supporters hope their proposal will qualify for the November 2014 ballot. In response, a second coalition — this one consisting of doctors and hospitals — is working to defeat the measure.
Florida Blue To Get Reorganization Hearing Despite Conflict Worries
In the meantime, Georgia officials plan to change a bid process for a state employees health benefits contract after UnitedHealthcare protested one contract award.
Deals Between Surgeons, Medical-Device Makers Draw Scrutiny
The Wall Street Journal reports on a civil investigation into a network of physician-owned spinal-implant distributorships. Also, the Center for Public Integrity notes that budget cuts could cause several high-profile federal health-care fraud and abuse investigations to be scaled back.
State Highlights: Officials Fight N.Y. Hospital Reopening After Sandy
A selection of health policy stories from New York, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida and California.
Look Who Is Talking About Obamacare …
The Obama administration is enlisting help in educating the public about the health law from a range of sources — female bloggers, a comedy website and even the Washington Nationals’ presidential mascot.
New Poll Gauges ‘Politically Precarious’ Status Of Health Law
Also in the news, the vice president of a popular restaurant chain discusses how his business might respond to the health law’s coverage mandates.
CVS To Help Customers Learn About Health Law’s Coverage Options
CVS Caremark plans to launch an outreach campaign this fall that will include having so-called “navigators,” or specially trained guides, working in stores to give people individualized help.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about an effort by some GOP lawmakers to force a government showdown over health law funding.
Health Law Boosts Status Of Alternative Medicine — At Least On Paper
The Affordable Care Act says that insurance companies “shall not discriminate” against any state-licensed health provider, which could lead to better coverage of chiropractic, homeopathic and naturopathic care. Alternative medicine is also mentioned in parts of the law on wellness, prevention and research.
WellPoint Sees Small Employers Dropping Health Coverage
As the nation prepares to roll out the next phase of Obamacare, the second biggest medical insurer said Wednesday that it expects to lose members in health insurance plans sponsored by smaller employers. At the same time, WellPoint expects membership gains in self-insured employer plans and in the kind of individual plans that will be […]
Success Of Health Law’s Exchanges Rides On Young People
Meanwhile, the Associated Press estimates that outreach and advertising for the law will cost more than $684 million.
Crunch Time In The Countdown To Health Exchanges’ Opening Day
News reports also offer insights to how these online marketplaces are taking shape in Oregon and Connecticut.
WellPoint 2nd Quarter Earnings Jump 24%; Company Lists Future Possibilities
The nation’s second-largest health insurer also outlined the benefits it expects to reap from the health law and other growth opportunities.