Latest KFF Health News Stories
Are They Talking? Mixed Messages On Whether Texas Is Seeking Health Law Funds
News outlets try to pin down whether Texas officials are in discussions with the Obama administration to gain access to an estimated $100 million in health law funds. Meanwhile, a South Dakota panel lays out the pros and cons of expanding Medicaid in that state.
State Highlights: Judge Nullifies 2011 Brooklyn Hospital Deal
A selection of health policy stories from New York, California, Alaska, Georgia and Texas.
Analyzing Businesses’ Benefit Decisions — Is Obamacare Really To Blame?
News outlets explore whether employer decisions are the result of the health law or part of long-term trends, as well as how agricultural businesses are preparing for the employer mandate, now delayed until 2015.
State Insurance Exchanges Go For Flashy (Or Not) Branding
A new ad in New York, released Tuesday, brands the state’s health exchange and advances a new name and logo. In Idaho, the state’s GOP governor, a vocal opponent of the health law, lauds his state’s health insurance marketplace. Meanwhile, Florida officials express concerns about the federal exchange’s “navigator” concept.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
USA Today Probe Finds Thousands Of Docs Practicing Despite Misconduct
Also, a study finds that Medicare patients leaving the hospital can’t always remember what was wrong with them and how to follow up.
First Edition: August 21, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the push to defund the health law is playing as members of Congress hold town hall meetings in their districts, as well as coverage of a survey released yesterday showing that employer-provided health insurance premiums rose slightly in 2012.
UPS Won’t Insure Spouses Of Some Employees
Partly blaming the health law, United Parcel Service is set to remove thousands of spouses from its medical plan because they are eligible for coverage elsewhere.
Health Law Adds New Expense For Farmers: Insurance For Field Workers
California’s mild climate means that farm work is a year-round business, and come 2015, the Affordable Care Act will require farm labor contractors to offer health insurance to field workers for the first time.
Idaho’s GOP Governor Extols Exchange ‘Run By Idahoans For Idahoans’
Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, a Republican, said he still hopes the federal health law gets repealed. But with some of the law’s biggest changes taking effect in less than six weeks, he sounded like a proud papa Tuesday in announcing the name of his state’s new online health insurance marketplace: Your Health Idaho. Idaho is the only state under […]
With A Nod To Billy Joel, N.Y. Brands Obamacare Marketplace
Some folks like to get away, Take a holiday from the neighborhood. Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood. But I’m takin’ a Greyhound on the Hudson River line. I’m in a New York state of mind … er … make that “New York State of Health.” Playing off the title of Billy […]
An Alaska-Sized Price Difference: A Circumcision In Anchorage Hospitals Can Cost $2,110 or $235
Some pediatricians, upset about the pricing for their patients and the lack of easy access to what the hospitals charge, are doing the procedures in their offices instead.
With A Nod To Billy Joel, N.Y. Brands Obamacare Marketplace
Officials running the N.Y. exchange announce that they have chosen “New York State of Health” as the marketplace’s brand name.
Family Insurance Premiums Rise 4 Percent For 2nd Year In Row, Survey Finds
But a growing number of workers, especially those employed by small businesses, feel the pinch of deductibles of at least $1,000.
HHS Offering Prizes For Videos Promoting Obamacare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lBw9YTx4Lo The “young invincibles” are what health policy wonks call healthy young adults (18-30) who don’t see being uninsured as a problem. But it is a problem, at least for the success of the Affordable Care Act. That’s why the Department of Health and Human Services is spending $30,000 on prizes for a national video […]
Selling The Idea Of Health Insurance To ‘Young Invincibles’
The Obama administration is launching a national video contest designed to convince young people to sign up for coverage, spending $30,000 on prizes to draw the YouTube generation.
Virginia’s Medicaid Panel Meets, But Covers Little New Ground
During a Monday planning meeting, a Virginia Medicaid policymaking panel examined what other states are doing in terms of expanding the program. Hundreds of conservative activists who oppose this health law provision rallied at the state capitol.
The Associated Press reports on this development.
Kronick Named To AHRQ Top Spot
Medpage Today reports that Richard Kronick, PhD, will become the director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality later this month.
Telemedicine Boosts ER Care For Kids In Rural Areas
New research shows that rural emergency room physicians are increasingly using videoconferences to gain access to specialty care.