Latest KFF Health News Stories
Florida’s Win: Feds Grant Medicaid Managed Care Waiver
Friday’s announcement, while not a surprise, was a victory for Gov. Rick Scott and Republican lawmakers who in 2011 approved the proposal to move to statewide Medicaid managed care.
Panel Tells Congress Medicare Is Unfairly Penalizing Hospitals Serving The Poor
An important feature of the health law designed to bring down the rate of patient readmissions is backfiring on safety-net hospitals, says a report by a congressional advisory agency.
Arizona Legislature Approves Medicaid Expansion
After a months-long, high-stakes political battle, Arizona lawmakers endorsed a Medicaid expansion plan backed by Gov. Jan Brewer.
Employers’ Challenge: Offering ‘Affordable’ Coverage
The Associated Press reports on the health law’s requirement that employers with more than 50 workers provide affordable health coverage or face fines. But what is affordable? And will workers be helped or hindered by the rule?
Supreme Court DNA Ruling Leaves Questions Unanswered
Editorial boards weigh in on what Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling means for medical research and for the medical industry.
Viewpoints: Good News From Medicare Trustees; Medicaid No ‘Cure-All’ For Access To Care
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Complications Emerge To Administration’s Plan B Proposal
NPR reports on Judge Edward Korman’s response to the Obama administration’s Plan B proposal while CNN Money explores how the “conscience clause” creates challenges for drugstores as they sell the morning-after pill over the counter.
State Highlights: Ga. Ponders Higher Health Plan Rates For Employees
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, Virginia, California and Oregon.
In Unanimous Decision, Supreme Court Justices Rule Genes Can’t Be Patented
The decision was applauded by many researchers and drew speculation that it could likely boost patient care. Meanwhile, the stock of Myriad Genetics tumbled after the court’s finding invalidated the company’s hold on testing for two breast cancer genes.
Texas Scrambles To Find Money For Approved Health Care Projects
In Texas, revenue woes are hampering a series of health care experiments, including how the state gives health care to its poor and uninsured, though federal approval for the projects came in May. In California, lawmakers get set to add some dental coverage for the state’s poorest residents.
Immigrants’ Health Care Costs Are Hot Topic On Capitol Hill
Other media reports detail Sen. Ron Wyden’s proposal to allow accountable care organizations to focus on the sickest, most costly patients; questions from Rep. Darrell Issa, R.-Calif., about the navigator program’s funding; and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s, D-Calif., angry response to a reporter’s question about late-term abortions.
Calif. Regulator Seeks To Bar Anthem From Small Business Health Exchange
Meanwhile, Minnesota officials announce the opening of a call center Sept. 3 to answer consumer questions about the state’s online insurance marketplace, which will begin enrolling people a month later.
This week’s articles come from The Nation, Forbes, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic and the Los Angeles Times.
Research Roundup: Studying States’ Readiness For Insurance Exchanges
Health policy research and briefs this week come from Health Affairs, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Dartmouth Atlas Project, the Centers for Studying Health System Change and the California HealthCare Foundation.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how, after months of battle, Arizona lawmakers endorsed a Medicaid expansion plan backed by Gov. Jan Brewer.
California Insurance Chief Wants To Bar Anthem From Selling Small Business Coverage
Citing a pattern of “unreasonable rate increases” for small business customers by Anthem Blue Cross, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said Thursday he will recommend that the state’s new online insurance marketplace exclude the firm from selling small business coverage. The move comes amid national debate about the cost of coverage for individuals and small businesses […]
Preparing For Flood Of Consumer Questions On Insurance Exchanges
On Oct. 1, individual consumers and small businesses will be able to enroll in the online health insurance marketplaces known as exchanges. Minnesota, where the state is running the exchange, and Florida, where the federal government will be in charge, are preparing in different ways. Under the Affordable Care Act, most Americans who don’t already have health insurance through employers, Medicare or […]
Survey: Employers ‘Pessimistic’ About Health Law Costs
The Wall Street Journal reports on a survey that finds companies increasingly “pessimistic” they can avoid health care cost increases they believe will stem from the overhaul. Politico reports that insurers are showing little interest in small business exchanges. Also in the news, Indiana House Republicans worry that schools are cutting employee hours to avoid health law penalties.
Details Emerging About Costs For Health Plans Available Through Health Exchanges
CNN Money reports that some consumers may be surprised by the out-of-pocket costs — including deductibles and co-payments — these plans include. Other news outlets report on developments related to online marketplaces in California, Minnesota and Colorado.
House Panel Votes To Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy
An aide to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said a vote by the full House is planned later this month. Rep. Trent Frank, R-Ariz., one of the bill’s sponsors on the House Judiciary Committee, drew criticism for arguing against an amendment to exclude victims of rape and incest by saying that the pregnancy rate from rape is “very low.”