Latest KFF Health News Stories
8 Ways Young Women Benefit From Obamacare
From free preventive services, including birth control, to the rule barring insurers from charging women more than men, the law recasts the rules of the road for women’s health coverage.
Some Say Obamacare’s ‘Affordable’ Coverage Isn’t Affordable For Them
Moderate-income consumers may get subsidies but will also be required to pay up to 9.5 percent of their income toward monthly premiums, which some say will put coverage out of reach.
Back For An Encore: Your Questions About Insurance Marketplaces
KHN’s Julie Appleby and Mary Agnes Carey, who answered Washington Post reader questions about enrollment in the health law’s new insurance marketplaces last week, are back by popular demand at 12 noon ET today. If you can’t participate in the discussion live, you can submit your questions in advance: http://live.washingtonpost.com/shopping-for-obamacare.html A full transcript of the Q&A session […]
Senate GOP Leader Poised To Block Cruz’ Defunding Strategy
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced he won’t support the pledge made by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to use parliamentary procedures as he tries to stop Democrats from stripping a provision cutting money from the health law.
Cruz Makes Republican And Democratic Enemies With Defunding Fight
The freshman senator from Texas has led the charge to tie government financing to defunding the health law. The New York Times looks at the role of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the effort. Other media outlets explore Sen. Rand Paul’s suggestions of a compromise and Karl Rove calling out Cruz for misstatements.
As Opening Day Approaches, Confusion Continues About Health Exchanges
With the Oct. 1 launch of the health law’s online insurance marketplaces just days away, news outlets examine questions such as who will use them, what will make them a success, how long will it take to judge whether they are working, and other key issues.
States Question Exchange Readiness, Appropriateness And Effects
Officials in some states are expressing pessimism that the new Obamacare health insurance exchanges will be the place for residents to buy health coverage or are questioning their readiness. In Missouri, the lieutenant governor is telling residents to stay away from the exchanges.
State Political Dynamics Shaping Obamacare Implementation In The States
The fights over Obamacare are far from over in Florida — where a burgeoning Latino population is complicating opposition — and Alabama, where the governor’s stance against the Medicaid expansion and the health insurance exchange is showcasing their resistance.
Battles Have Reduced Health Law’s Impact For Consumers
Politico looks at the how the law squares with what it promised and talks to consumers in Kentucky about their expectations. Also, the Wall Street Journal examines one of the tactics health insurers are using to keep healthy customers.
A federal court judge dismissed a lawsuit Monday which was filed against the government by 14 Medicare beneficiaries who were denied nursing home coverage because they had been kept in the hospital under “observation status.” Meanwhile, an analysis shows that Medicare penalized every hospital in D.C. and five in the Virginia suburbs for readmission rates, and Healthy Cal looks at efforts to reduce the costs of dual eligible patients.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Battle Brewing Over New Regulations For Compounding Pharmacies
In addition, a bill that would require professional drivers to be tested for sleep apnea flies through the House.
FDA Says Most Smartphone Health Apps Won’t Get Regulatory Scrutiny
The federal agency will reserve its attention for apps that function like medical devices.
Obama, Bill Clinton To Tout Law In Joint Appearance
The two are slated to appear together Tuesday afternoon to discuss the health care law at an event sponsored by the Clinton Global Initiative, the former president’s foundation, exactly one week before open enrollment begins in new insurance marketplaces.
State Highlights: Ohio Readies Funding For New Medicaid Computer System
A selection of health policy stories from North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Arkansas, New York, Colorado, South Dakota, Florida, Kansas and California.
First Edition: September 24, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about Senate action on the effort to defund the health law as well as a scheduled appearance by former President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama to kick off the roll out of a key part of the overhaul.
Readers Ask: What Options Do Parents Have To Get Coverage For Their Kids?
Consumer columnist answers questions about getting insurance for children under the health law.
Fight Over Obamacare Is Anything But Over In Florida
The nation’s most diverse political swing state is ground zero in the battle over the federal health law.
After The Floods, Colorado Hospital Braces For Winter
Estes Park Medical Center escaped the flood damage that hit most of the area. But two roads leading to the town known as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park are impassable. One snowstorm could close the remaining road and ground helicopters, leaving the hospital and its patients stranded.
Federal Judge Throws Out Lawsuit Over Hospital Observation Care
A federal court judge in Hartford, Conn., dismissed a lawsuit Monday which was filed against the government by 14 Medicare beneficiaries who were denied nursing home coverage. Under Medicare rules, only patients admitted to a hospital for at least three consecutive days are eligible for coverage of follow-up nursing home care. The beneficiaries who brought the suit […]