Latest KFF Health News Stories
Are Federal Call Centers Up To The Task Of Enrolling Millions In Health Plans?
Despite the president’s urging that frustrated consumers use call centers, advocates say they’re not “a realistic alternative” for comparing and selecting coverage.
The health law gives consumers until March 31 to sign up for health insurance, but it may be weeks before coverage begins. So the administration says it will not penalize anyone who signs up by that date.
Study: Low-Income Californians Want Better Health Care Information
For many low-income Californians, enrolling in health insurance is just one hurdle to overcome in getting the care they want. A new report says better communication with doctors and obtaining clearer information is also high on their wish lists. California is home to nearly 7 million uninsured people – 15 percent of the national total, […]
Judge Greenlights Legal Challenge To Health Law’s Subsidies
There are more days in court ahead for the health law. On Tuesday, a federal judge delivered a mixed decision, allowing a lawsuit to proceed that challenges whether the government can legally provide some health plan subsidies. The subsidies are being given to people who meet certain eligibility requirements to help pay for coverage purchased from the new […]
A View From The States: Health Care Continues Stumbling Startup
States are making some progress getting customers signed up for health insurance. But it isn’t pretty. Here is a roundup of dispatches from KHN’s radio partners at NPR member stations: Alaska averaged one sign up a day last week on the state’s new Affordable Care Act marketplace, where it was taking up to three hours […]
Defending Health Exchange’s Rollout Puts Sebelius In Hot Seat
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is being called to Capitol Hill by Republican lawmakers who want her to explain what went wrong with the Oct. 1 unveiling of healthcare.gov. She is also facing calls for her resignation. Still, according to Politico, her job is safe.
Little Evidence Obamacare Is Costing Full-Time Jobs
Reuters and The Wall Street Journal challenge the notion, based on recent jobs data, that the health law is causing an erosion of full-time work. Other media outlets look at the endangered status of new insurance co-ops funded by the law, the high price of many prescription drugs and concerns about the people enrolled in high-risk insurance pools that will close at the end of the year.
The White House Names Zients To Be Healthcare.gov Fixer
Jeffrey D. Zients, who previously served as the Office of Management and Budget chief performance officer, is already a tested administration troubleshooter.
Health Exchange Status Update: Two Key Fixes Will Take Longer Than Expected
Making the necessary repairs will likely take more talent and more offline time for the online marketplace. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by CBS found that very few Americans think the federal online insurance marketplace’s launch has gone well.
Calif. Marketplace Under Fire For Not Providing Quality Ratings For Plans
News outlets look at a variety of issues that the state-run exchanges are facing.
Ohio Opponents Of Medicaid Expansion File Lawsuit
A group of six Ohio lawmakers, along with two anti-abortion groups, brought suit Tuesday, challenging a legislative board’s move to approve that state’s expansion of Medicaid under the health law. Other media outlets look at the estimated 5 million Americans who will go without insurance because their states are not expanding the federal-state program for the poor.
A selection of editorials and comments about health policy from around the country.
Sen. Rubio Readies Bill To Delay Insurance Mandate Penalty
Sen. Marco Rubio is proposing a bill that would delay imposing penalties on people who don’t have health insurance until six months after the Government Accountability Office has certified the federal website is functional. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, is calling on President Obama to extended open enrollment beyond March 31, 2014 and to waive penalties for those who are unable to sign up because of technical problems.
Judge Allows Obamacare Subsidies Lawsuit To Proceed, But Stops Short Of Imposing Injunction
A federal judge Tuesday allowed a legal challenge against the health law’s insurance price subsidies to go forward, but stopped short of imposing an injunction that would have halted the subsidies until the legal matter is resolved. At issue is a challenge to how the Obama administration determines who gets what subsidies and the related tax penalties.
Democratic And Republican Lawmakers Alike Are Anxious For Health Law Briefings
As a senior White House official heads to Capitol Hill to brief House Democrats on the health law’s implementation — especially the troubled rollout of healthcare.gov, Republicans want the same opportunity.
State Highlights: Cuccinelli Blasts Health Law, Sebelius To Gain Ground In Va. Governor’s Race
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, New York, California, Oregon, Michigan, Texas and Georgia.
Obama Administration To Loyalists: Help Boost The Health Law
From the White House to YouTube, the administration is hoping to rally the troops who have supported the health law in the past.
First Edition: October 23, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including continuing coverage about the problems with the healthcare.gov website, how Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is in the hot seat and how the White House has called in reinforcements — a glitch czar.
In Some States, Most Early Marketplace Enrollees Qualify For Medicaid
In several states, most of the people enrolling through new online insurance marketplaces are signing on to Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for the poor. The reason? Many of the uninsured are poor, and applicants don’t have to pay anything to sign up for Medicaid. Shoppers applying for private health coverage through the marketplace […]
In Some States, Most Early Marketplace Enrollees Qualify For Medicaid
Many of the uninsured are poor, and applicants don’t have to pay anything to sign up for Medicaid. Shoppers applying for private health coverage through the marketplace have to pay their first monthly premium before they are fully enrolled.