Latest KFF Health News Stories
Judge Blocks New Wis. Abortion Law; Texas Rallies Draw Thousands
News outlets are covering abortion “culture wars,” especially in state legislatures.
OMB Finds Deficit Shrinking But Poised To Rise Without Entitlement Fixes
The White House budget office expects the deficit to go down to $496 billion in 2018 before heading to $593 billion in 2022.
One Woman Fails To Get Hospital Estimate Of Baby Delivery Bill
A New York Times reporter details her uninsured daughter’s struggle to find out what she will have to pay when she gives birth.
Sen. Hatch Questions Increase In Subsidy Costs
The Utah senator writes to President Barack Obama to ask why the administration’s subsidy funding has risen. Meanwhile, KHN examines cost-sharing assistance available under the law.
Exchanges: Vermont Announces Rates;Marketing Efforts Take Shape
The health law’s insurance marketplaces are due to come online Oct. 1. Meanwhile, Michigan and Missouri are considering the law’s Medicaid expansion provisions.
Study: Some Current Medicaid Enrollees May Not Qualify For Benefits
George Washington University researchers find that key preventive services included in the health law — and slated for millions who will get coverage in the law’s Medicaid expansion — may not be extended to people already covered by Medicaid.
Administration Defends Obamacare, Employer Mandate Delay Decision
Last week’s decision on delaying the requirement that businesses with more than 50 workers provide health insurance continues to reverberate.
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Oregon, California and Colorado.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a look at HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ challenges and a delay in implementing insurance penalties on smokers.
Some Doctors Questioning Whether Shorter Shifts For Interns Are Endangering Patients
The work day for doctors in their first year out of medical school was cut to 16 hours to reduce fatigue and medical errors. But recent studies suggest it may be making the situation worse.
In Addition To Premium Credits, Health Law Offers Some Consumers Help Paying Deductibles And Co-Pays
Although much has been made about the tax credits that will help people afford to pay insurance premiums, the cost-sharing assistance can substantially reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Researchers Look At Why Poor Patients Prefer Hospital Care
Long wait times, jammed schedules, confusing insurance plans – there’s no shortage of obstacles between a patient and her doctor. That is, if she has a doctor. But a Health Affairs study published Monday says the barriers for poor people looking to get care are even higher, and it’s leading them away from preventive doctor […]
Health Exchange Pitch To Sports Fans Started In Fenway
The Red Sox helped get the word out about Massachusetts’ health reform in 2007, and in Colorado at least, the state is marketing its new insurance exchange to fans of the Rockies.
Video: New AMA President On Implementing The Health Law
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/assets/swf/CSPANPlayer.swf?pid=313701-1 KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and The Washington Post’s Sarah Kliff interviewed Dr. Ardis Hoven, the new American Medical Association president, for an episode of the C-SPAN program “Newsmakers” that aired Sunday. The three talked about implementation of the health care law, a shortage of primary care practitioners, as well as the AMA’s decision to […]
For A Year, Consumers Will Be On The Honor System For Health Law Subsidies
With the delay in the employer mandate, the administration announced Friday that it would scale back verification rules on enrollees’ income and health status.
Washington Area Hospital Group Launches Health Insurance Plan
In other industry news, the growth of jobs in the health care sector could be a double-edged sword and hospitals seek a solution to “alarm fatigue.”
Marketplace Falls Behind Schedule In Conn.; How Dental Plans For Kids Will Be Sold In Calif.
With the Oct. 1 deadline for launching markeplaces approaching, states struggle with health law implementation issues.
Conservative Group Plans $1 Million Ad Campaign To Oppose Health Law
The effort will counter advocates’ campaigns to get people to sign up for online insurance marketplaces. In other health law news, a Clinton administration veteran is joining the Obama health team.
Delay Of Employer Mandate: ‘Astonishing Decision;’ ‘No Bearing’ On Much Of Health Law
Commentators both for and against the health overhaul offered assessments of the administration’s move, and the politics that surround it.
Exploring Abortion’s ‘Gray’ Areas; The Importance Of Personal Experiences
News outlets offer opinion pieces on abortion policies.