Latest KFF Health News Stories
President Says He’ll Negotiate Budget Only After Gov’t Reopens Without Changes To Health Law
President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he will only compromise on the federal budget — including addressing long-term Medicare and Medicaid costs — after Republicans agree to reopen the federal government without changing the health law. Republicans may shift their focus to these budget battles and seek savings in entitlement programs and tax reform.
The Parts Played By Boehner And Reid In The Shutdown, The Health Law Defunding, And Party Dynamics
Media outlets examine how House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have contributed to the Capitol Hill tensions surrounding the government shutdown and Obamacare fight– both in their relationship with each other and their places within their respective parties.
People Without Insurance Seek New Options From Insurance Marketplaces
For consumers who are seeking insurance through the new law, the marketplace’s technical problems have been frustrating, but many remain eager.
Calif. Legislator Seeks To Move All State Lawmakers To Marketplace
Republican Assemblyman Brian Nestande doesn’t like the health law but says state legislators should have to live with it. Meanwhile Gov. Jerry Brown signs a bill easing secrecy around the state agency overseeing the health law. In Virginia, Fairfax’s water authority says taxes on generous health plans will cause it to drop coverage for workers.
Security Specialists Say Obamacare Glitches Not Caused By Online Attack
The New York Times reports that the technical problems plaguing the federal exchange websites are not the work of hackers. Meanwhile, Politico looks at the playful security questions that some state exchanges are using.
States’ Refusal To Expand Medicaid Will Prevent Millions From Getting Coverage
The New York Times reports that the decision by about half the states to not expand Medicaid coverage will prevent two-thirds of poor black consumers and single mothers and more than half of low-wage workers from getting insurance.
State Highlights: Texas Ads To Target Wendy Davis
A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Florida and Oregon.
Commentators offer a range of opinions as pressure builds over the closing of the government.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: October 3, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the federal and state health exchanges worked on their second day of operations. In the background, the congressional budget stand off continues.
Small Businesses May Find Relief In Health Insurance Exchanges Designed For Them
The health law provides new marketplaces for employers with 50 or fewer full time workers, designed to offer more affordable insurance to mom-and-pop businesses that have long had to pay more than large companies.
Back To Work After A Baby — But Without Insurance This Time
Pardit Pri, 29, is among the 5 million uninsured people in California. Insurance would give her peace of mind, but she worries whether she can afford it.
R.I. Woman Among First To Enroll In Obamacare Exchange
Uninsured for more than five years, Leslie Peters says she was “chompin’ at the bit” to get coverage to afford regular medical care that she often has gone without. That’s why as soon as HealthSource RI, the Rhode Island online health insurance exchange, went live Tuesday, she enrolled. “I was so excited,” said Peters, who lives […]
On Day 2, Federal Insurance Marketplace Offers Mixed Bag Of Problems, But Also Successes
The federal health insurance marketplace continued to frustrate consumers Wednesday with delays and software failures, but some people also reported progress.
Across The Country, Consumers Carefully Weigh Rollout Of Marketplaces
Many people encountered obstacles when trying to sign on to the online insurance marketplaces Tuesday; others are holding out for later.
People Without Email Addresses Face Difficulty Enrolling In Exchanges
One South Texas health center had 50 people show up to enroll Tuesday, many could prove what they make, but not a single one had an email address required to sign up online.
Despite Snags, Online Insurance Marketplaces Open For Business
The technical glitches were complicated by the millions of people who visited the online health exchanges on Tuesday, their first day of operations. For instance, Health and Human Services officials reported that 2.8 million unique visitors had been to the federal website.
Traffic Reports: High Volume Causes Health Insurance Shoppers To Face Delays
Across the country, states reported computer problems and long wait times as consumers tried to check out the new insurance options available through the health law’s online insurance marketplaces. At the same time, though, many states reported tallies of applications and hits that exceeded expectations.
Figuring Out How To Shop Around On Health Exchanges
News outlets report on the efforts by states, navigators, organizations and others to help uninsured people find their way through the challenges of applying for health insurance on the new online marketplaces. In places ranging from Florida, Ohio and California to Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota, there was a buzz surrounding outreach efforts, and sometimes frustration on the part of consumers attempting to find out about coverage.
Small Insurers Play Larger Role In Health Exchanges
Media outlets examine the rise of small insurers in the new online health insurance marketplaces, the expected increases in physician demand and the importance of enrolling young people to balance the costs of caring for those who are older and sicker.