Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers Polish Off Budget Deal As They Near Finish Line
Although Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., expects a two-year postponement of the “Cadillac Tax,” he considers it a “glass half-empty” win because he wanted an end to the levy on high-cost health plans.
Wyoming Lawmakers Asked To Reconsider Governor’s Medicaid Expansion Plan
The state’s health director outlined to appropriators how the governor’s plan would help cover rising costs. Also, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard continues to pitch his plan to expand the health care program for low-income people.
As Enrollment Deadline Approaches, Last-Minute Surge Overwhelms Call Centers
The administration is bombarding potential enrollees with email reminders to get health care coverage as it pushes to hit a modest 10 million goal before Tuesday’s midnight deadline.
Viewpoints: Watch Out For Single Payer In Colo.; Drug Costs; Flu Shots For Hospital Workers
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in Connecticut, Missouri, Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas, Tennessee and Washington.
Iowa Hospitals Press Judge To Stop State From Revamping Medicaid Program
The hospitals and some enrollees are concerned that the plan to move to a private managed care plan in January will limit the number of hospitals and doctors available to patients. News outlets also examine Medicaid news from California and North Carolina.
Planned Parenthood Files Preemptive Suit To Block Ohio Action On Fetal Tissue
The reproductive health organization’s action came after Attorney General Mike DeWine’s report that facilities in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland improperly disposed of fetal remains.
Weary 9/11 Health Bill Supporters Wonder, Why Won’t It Pass?
The popular legislation has become a political chit, and advocates are frustrated as they watch responders die waiting. Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, Republicans are expected to block Democrats’ proposal to federally fund gun violence research.
States To Have Big Role Helping Decide Insurer Mergers
State-based regulators can likely modify — or altogether block — pending deals between big insurers Anthem and Cigna as well as Aetna and Humana. Elsewhere, Millennium Health’s bankruptcy plan clears a big hurdle, and an Ohio insurer decides to end commissions for some small group and individual insurance plans in Obamacare.
Valeant Taps Attorney, ‘High-Stakes’ Crisis Public Affairs Firm
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, a small, year-old startup is working to stabilize the prices of generic drugs.
Mindful Of Federal Fees, Oregon Mulls Running Its Own Exchange — Again
If it does so, though, Oregon officials say they will use another state’s software. Also, Covered California hopes to boost enrollment in certain underserved communities, and MNsure extends the deadline for coverage beginning Jan. 1.
Tuesday Marks First Deadline In This Year’s Health Law Open Enrollment Season
Dec. 15 is the deadline to enroll for coverage that will begin Jan. 1, 2016.
Viewpoints: Dems And Cadillac Tax; Health Law Alternative; ‘Folly’ Of Challenging Drug Makers
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Medicaid And Prisoners; Enrollment Assisters; Medicare Drug Costs
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health care developments in Vermont, Pennsylvania, California, West Virginia, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Tennessee, New Hampshire and Washington.
Dreaming Big: Hospitals Turn To Partnerships To Survive New Cost, Quality Demands
Meanwhile, for patients, navigating the hospital system can be difficult. The executive director of the Connecticut Center for Patient Safety and other experts dole out advice about what people should do when admitted to make the process more simple.
Utah Medicaid Director Stepping Down
Elsewhere, officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are in Iowa evaluating the state’s Medicaid privatization readiness.
Recent Shootings May Push States To Share Mental Health Records With FBI
Six states currently do not share such information, but three of them recently passed related legislation. Meanwhile, the Treatment Advocacy Center released a report Thursday that Americans with severe mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by police than other civilians.
Although Often Overlooked, Small Breaches Of Medical Privacy Harm Many Patients
Major data hacks get more publicity, but the leak of an individual’s records can have serious consequences for the patient. Also in news about health technology, some researchers are using Google searches to help fight disease.
Rubio, Who Touts Efforts Against Obamacare, Uses Law’s Congressional Option For Insurance
Members of Congress and their staffs get a subsidy to purchase insurance through the health law’s marketplace because Republicans pressured Congress to pass a law requiring members to be insured under the law. That effort eliminated the employer contribution for a plan that they received before. In other news, Sen. Marco Rubio’s provision to kill risk corridors prompts debate.
