Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Ohio Gov. Kasich Officially Enters GOP Presidential Primary Race

Morning Briefing

Meanwhile, Wis. Gov. Scott Walker raised more than $20 million from a PAC named after his battle with the state’s public-sector unions in which he proposed ending collective bargaining for most public workers and also wanted public employees to pay more for health insurance.

Potential For New Costs From Health Law, Other Regs Trigger Business, Worker Concerns

Morning Briefing

One report looks at anxiety about a future tax on generous health plans, while another article focuses on small business owners, whose worries include requirements for health coverage for employees and new costs from mandated pay increases and paid sick leave laws in some states and cities.

States Likely To Seek Funding Help From Hospitals For Medicaid Expansion

Morning Briefing

In 2017, states will be on the hook for a small percentage of the cost of covering people who came into the Medicaid system through the health law’s expansion efforts. The enrollment numbers are larger than many states anticipated, so they could look to hospitals to help cover the costs.

Many Doctors Use False Addresses In Medicare, GAO Finds

Morning Briefing

In a new report, federal investigators found that some screening problems persist among the 1.8 million providers enrolled in the program. For instance, about 23,400 addresses might be invalid.

Medicare To Test Allowing Both End-Of-Life And Curative Care For Hospice Patients

Morning Briefing

The pilot project, mandated by the health law, is a change to the policy that terminally ill patients are required to forego curative treatments to qualify for Medicare-paid hospice. The project will be limited at first to 140 hospices.

Insurers Often Refuse Coverage For Injuries Sustained In Illegal Activities

Morning Briefing

The New York Times examines how some patients who are never charged with a crime can have their health claims denied by insurers because they reportedly were hurt while engaging in an illegal act. Meanwhile, The Washington Post looks at the large hospital bill one California man received after a dangerous snake bite.

Trump’s Version Of McCain’s Record Helping Veterans Is Misguided, Veterans Groups Say

Morning Briefing

While Donald Trump backed off his criticism of Sen. John McCain in a Fox interview, a new poll shows the businessman at the top of the 2016 Republican presidential field. Also on the campaign trail, speeches by Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton offer back-to-back looks at their key policy differences, Scott Walker is proving to be a disciplined candidate who stays on message and Bernie Sanders has captured the support of some liberals disappointed by President Barack Obama.