Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ‘Common Sense’ Overcomes Ideology; Justices Ignore Law’s Problems
A selection of opinions from around the country on the Supreme Court ruling upholding subsidies on the federal health marketplaces.
Viewpoints: Health Law Ruling Cracks Conspiracy Theories About Court; Scalia’s Views Lose
A number of opinion writers look at the King v. Burwell decision’s impact on the court.
Viewpoints: GOP Needs To Take Some Responsibility For Law; Debate Will Now Start Fresh
The court’s decision on health insurance subsidies also impacts the nation’s politics, and opinion writers took note of that.
Research Roundup: Quality And Patient Satisfaction; Trauma Centers And Kids; Effects Of Medicaid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health care developments in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Washington.
Calif. Lawmakers Approve Tough Vaccination Bill, But Will Gov. Sign It?
The measure would require most children who enter school to be vaccinated against diseases like the measles and whooping cough. It’s unclear where Gov. Jerry Brown stands on the legislation, but doctor groups are praising it.
High Court Decision Hastens Insurers’ Mating Dance
Within hours of the decision, Humana stock surged on renewed talk that Aetna had made an offer to buy the company, which is the smallest of the top five insurers.
Senate Appropriators Take Aim At Obamacare
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a $153 billion bill that would block funding for the Affordable Care Act’s Risk Corridor program and block discretionary funding for state-based insurance exchanges. Meanwhile, a House appropriator seeks to block new mammography guidelines.
Democrats Thrilled, Republicans Outraged: Congressional Reaction Reflects Continued Divide
But behind closed doors, even many Republicans breathed a sigh of relief now that they do not have to wrestle with the reality of millions of constituents losing subsidies. Still, many GOP lawmakers vowed to continue the fight to “repeal and replace” Obamacare.
GOP Presidential Hopefuls Take Strong Positions Against High Court’s King V. Burwell Decision
GOP candidates for president vowed to keep fighting the health law despite some viewing the Supreme Court ruling as a win for them. Marco Rubio, Bobby Jindal and Ted Cruz all spoke about the need to replace the law.
Hospital, Insurer Stocks Rally On High Court Decision
Hospitals led a surge among health-care companies, with some of them reaching all-time highs, as the Supreme Court upheld a key piece of the Affordable Care Act, lifting the main threat hanging over the industry’s prospects.
Community And Industry Health Officials Exhale As Insurance Subsidies Affirmed
Regional hospitals, doctors, insurers and health centers reacted to the Supreme Court’s decision with relief and praise after months of concern that the case could mean an increase in uninsured, unpaid bills and instability in the health market.
Next For Obamacare: Legal Challenges, State Debate, Insurance Market Issues
Despite a Supreme Court ruling upholding a key part of the health law, the road forward for it is littered with obstacles. Chief among them are what insurance markets will look like, court challenges that remain and fights in the states over implementation.
Analyzing The Supreme Court Decision On Obamacare
News outlets break down the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act’s tax subsidies for people buying health insurance on federal marketplaces.
Chief Justice Roberts Helps Save Health Law Again To Dismay Of Conservatives
Ten years into his leadership of the Supreme Court, John Roberts continues to demonstrate independence, upholding the Obama administration in King v. Burwell. News outlets also highlight two other central figures in the legal arguments: Justice Antonin Scalia and U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, who argued the administration’s case.
Supporters See Court Ruling As Cementing Health Law, Obama’s Legacy
The decision, which denied challengers’ efforts to cut off premium subsidies to more than 6 million people, means the health law is now “woven into the fabric of America,” the president said.
Consumers Elated That Court Preserves Health Law
The Supreme Court decision Thursday preserved tax subsidies for 6.4 million people in 34 states and helps stabilize the insurance markets for many more. Still, some worry what their coverage will look like, and just how affordable it will remain.
High Court Spares Health Law Subsidies
For the second time in three years, the Supreme Court rejected a life-or-death challenge to the Affordable Care Act. The justices’ decision was by a 6-to-3 vote, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing the opinion for the majority and Justice Antonin Scalia, the dissent.
Across The Country, Many Express Relief About Health Law Decision
Local news organizations examine reaction to the ruling and the effect on their states.
