Latest KFF Health News Stories
Five Lessons From Massachusetts About Obamacare Rollout
Health reform in Massachusetts — also known as “Romneycare” — had a messy start in late 2006, but the state figured out how to make sure nearly everyone has insurance coverage.
Health Law Fight Complicated By Shutdown, Debt Ceiling Battles
Fights over defunding the health law remain at the center of legislative battles eight days into a federal government shutdown and just a week before the nation hits its debt ceiling. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and CQ Roll Call’s Emily Ethridge discuss the latest.
Shoppers On Fed’s Insurance Website Still Face Problems
News outlets report on the glitches still plaguing the website, healthcare.gov., in its second week of operation. White House officials say fixes are being made, although they have been unable to say how many consumers have enrolled in plans through the website.
State Health Exchanges Running More Smoothly Than Federal Marketplace
The New York Times reports that, while difficulties continue for consumers in the 30 states that are using the federal government’s online health insurance marketplace, those who live in states that have chosen to operate their own are faring better. Other media outlets offer sign up tallies and other updates from New York, California, Connecticut, Oregon, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
N.Y. Exchange Says 40,000 Have Applied For Coverage
New York’s online insurance exchange on Tuesday said more than 40,000 people have completed applications for coverage so far, though not all have chosen a health plan. Officials from the exchange, called NY State of Health, said these applicants were found eligible to buy a health plan. Nationally, nearly 80,000 people have applied for coverage in the […]
Gov’t Shutdown Triggered By Capitol Hill Causes Damage To Public Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls in furloughed scientists after a salmonella outbreak in California sickened people in 18 states.
As the stand-off continues between Capitol Hill Republicans and President Barack Obama over the government shutdown, the debt ceiling and GOP efforts to defund or delay the health law, Politico poses the question: what would be on the table if leaders did start talking.
State Highlights: Maine To Allow Foreign Mail-Order Rx Drug Orders
A selection of health policy stories from Maine, North Carolina, Missouri, California, Washington, Kansas and Florida.
How Obamacare Affects Children, Prisoners
Media reports explore how the health law requires that dental and vision care benefits for children be included in policies sold through new online insurance marketplaces and how the law may shift prisoners’ health care costs from local jurisdictions to the federal government. Other outlets track congressional oversight of the IRS’ role in enforcing the law’s requirement that most people carry insurance.
Hill GOP Blasts Coverage Costs, Seeks Numbers Of Obamacare Enrolees
The GOP on Capitol Hill is continuing targeted attacks on the health law.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: September 9, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on how some state health online insurance marketplaces are working as well as the latest from Capitol Hill on the budget standoff.
FAQ: Dental And Vision Care Part Of ‘Essential Benefits’ For Kids
The health law provides for subsidized coverage for basic and preventive services for kids, and some states are requiring that they be included in every policy.
28,000 Sign Up For Health Insurance Through California’s Exchange
More than 16,000 applications on behalf of 28,700 people have been completed through the state’s insurance marketplace, Covered California, officials announced Tuesday. Executive Director Peter Lee said 16,311 applications, some representing several family members, were completed between Oct. 1 and Oct. 5 and another 27,305 are in process. Lee did not specify how many of […]
Navigating The Marketplaces: Reader Questions Answered
KHN’s Julie Appleby, the Washington Post’s Sarah Kliff and Consumers’ Checkbook’s Robert Krughoff answered readers questions today about enrollment in the health law’s new insurance marketplaces. A transcript of the discussion follows. READER QUESTION: My daughter earns $22,000 a year. Her employer offers insurance. Does she have to get insurance through her employer if it’s not more […]
Join A Live Discussion Today On Washingtonpost.com
KHN’s Julie Appleby joins The Washington Post’s Sarah Kliff and Consumers’ Checkbook’s Robert Krughoff to answer readers questions about enrollment in the health law’s new insurance marketplaces today at 12:00 noon ET. If you can’t participate in the discussion live, you can submit your questions in advance: http://live.washingtonpost.com/affordable-care-act-what-are-your-thoughts-and-questions.html A full transcript of the Q&A session […]
Problems Continue For Some Users On Minnesota’s Health Insurance Exchange
Intermittent problems with MNsure’s online insurance marketplace persist, but officials are saying consumers will have an easier time this week.
Software Crash Viewed As Root Cause Of Exchange Delays
The New York Times reports that a major software component crashed under the pressure posed by millions of visitors last week to the federal online insurance marketplace. Still, other technical issues beyond traffic also are at work, and some insurers say they are getting faulty and incomplete data from the new U.S.-run health exchange.
In addition, news outlets offer progress reports on state-based health exchanges in Minnesota, Washington and Michigan as well as how the federal exchange is working for other states that opted not to run their own online insurance marketplace.
Why Some Veterinarians Have a Bone To Pick With Obamacare
Dr. Douglas Aspros says the federal health law is increasing his costs to buy medical equipment, which he has no choice but to pass onto his patients — most whom are uninsured. None of Aspros’ patients, though, will benefit from the law’s expansion of coverage. Aspros, you see, treats dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, parrots and other […]