Latest KFF Health News Stories
In States Resistant To The Health Law, Poorest Residents Unlikely To Get Aid
USA Today reports on how, in states that opted not to pursue the health law’s Medicaid expansion, many of the poorest residents may fall through the cracks. Meanwhile, the San Jose Mercury News looks at some of the states that have been the most resistant to implementing the health law.
For Health Exchanges, Will Soft Launches Lead To Hard Landings?
CQ HealthBeat examines whether the new online insurance marketplaces will be ready to go on Oct. 1, and what possible delays might emerge and how those delays could impact the exchanges’ effectiveness. Also in the headlines, reports from Delaware, Kentucky, Washington, Pennsylvania and Arizona.
First Edition: September 6, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report on the White House’s proposal about how to gather information that would allow the government to enforce the employer mandate, which requires companies with 50 or more workers to provide affordable health insurance to their full-time employees.
How Will Immigrants Fare Under Obamacare? It’s Complicated
What benefits, if any, immigrants get under the health-care overhaul depends on several factors: their immigration status, income, length of stay in this country and – in limited cases – their country of origin.
A Reader Asks: When I Retire Can My Husband Get Coverage On The Marketplace?
Consumer columnist says he likely can, but the bigger question is whether he will qualify for subsidies to help defray costs.
Physician Recruitment Trends: Demand Continues For Primary Care Docs
Doctors are reacting to changes in the health care system — and their job placements are proof. Merritt Hawkins, a national health care consulting and recruitment firm, shed some light on the situation through the company’s annual look at physician recruitment trends. The 2013 review was based on a survey of 3,097 permanent doctor and […]
Bill Clinton Calls For Obamacare Opponents And Supporters To Work Together
This story comes from our partner Stateline, the daily news service of the Pew Charitable Trusts. Former President Bill Clinton Wednesday championed the new Affordable Care Act, but urged Congress and the states to fix its worst problems. Speaking to an invitation-only audience at his presidential library in Little Rock, Ark., Clinton touted the law’s […]
Washington State Panel OKs 7 Insurers For Exchange
This story was produced in partnership with In the end, it was a calm affair. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange Board met in a special session Wednesday afternoon to vote on the certification of health plans for the state’s new online health insurance marketplace in 2014. In less than an hour, the board voted unanimously […]
Bill Clinton Delivers Speech To Dispel Health Law Confusion
The former president — dubbed the “explainer in chief” — spoke from his presidential library in Arkansas to drum up support for the overhaul and scold Republicans for their repeal efforts.
Overhaul’s Premium Costs Won’t Be Cheap, But Consumers Will Have Options
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation offered estimates of how much government tax credits would lower the price of the “silver” benchmark policy. A second study, this one by Avalere Health, examined sticker prices at a variety of levels.
Investors, Lawyers Among Those Getting Early Boosts From The Health Law
Also in the news, Bloomberg reports that some employers may change their minds about offering employees insurance when tax advantages go up next year.
GOP’s United Front On Obamacare Softens
The GOP’s once rock-solid stance on Obamacare has softened as some Republicans look to move on from waging all-out war on the three-year-old law. Tea Party activists, however, are urging conservative lawmakers to try to stop it. In the meantime, lawmakers from both sides look more united than ever in trying to reform how Medicare pays doctors.
Catholic Bishops Urge That Marketplace Insurance Benefits For Congress Not Include Abortion
Members of Congress and their staffs will switch from the federal health system to the health law’s new exchanges next year and the bishops are demanding that the current prohibitions on abortion funding continue.
Ohio Group Takes Steps To Advance Medicaid Expansion As Ballot Initiative
The coalition, which is made up of health care providers, unions, businesses, religious organizations and others, views this effort as its back up plan if state legislators block Gov. John Kasich’s push to expand the low income health insurance program.
Obama Administration To Provide Veterans’ Same-Sex Spouses Benefits
Attorney General Eric Holder told Congress in a letter that the recent Supreme Court decision clears the way for this change in policy.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
GOP Lawmakers’ Request For Info About Navigators May Slow Process
Meanwhile, in regard to a separate issue, West Virginia’s attorney general is criticizing the Department of Health and Human Services for not responding to questions about navigator privacy concerns.
State Highlights: Calif. Bill To Expand Abortion Providers Passes
A selection of health policy news from Texas, California, North Carolina, Missouri, Oregon and Colorado.
Longer Looks: The Bittersweet Decision To Donate Organs
This week’s articles come from Forbes, The Washington Post, Stanford Magazine, The New York Times and The New England Journal of Medicine.
First Edition: September 5, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about former President Bill Clinton — dubbed the “explainer in chief” — drumming up support for the health law and scolding Republicans for their efforts to repeal it.