Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Insurance Merger Wave; The Cost Of Obamacare; Abortion Under Attack
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, Maryland, California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Hawaii and Illinois,
Medicaid’s Adult Dental Coverage Gaining, But Slowly
In other Medicaid news, a plan to expand Medicaid to cover routine podiatrist care for adult recipients did not win the approval of the Nevada legislature.
Iowa Supreme Court Overturns Rule, Allows Use Of Telemedicine To Dispense Abortion Pills
The state’s high court struck down a restriction that would have prevented doctors from administering abortion-inducing pills remotely via video.
Waiting Lists For Veteran’s Care Is Longer Now Than A Year Ago
According to The New York Times, the number of veterans on waiting lists for a month or longer is now 50 percent higher than it was during the peak of last year’s problems. The Department of Veterans Affairs is also facing a nearly $3 billion budget shortfall, which could affect care for many veterans.
Politics Of Subsidies Challenge Is ‘Tricky’ For Republican Candidates
If the justices strike down Obamacare’s insurance subsidies for 6.4 million people, the GOP presidential hopefuls would face a dilemma over how to respond. It gets even more complicated for the four governors considering a run, since tens of thousands of people in their states would lose coverage. Ohio Gov. John Kasich is already on the defensive about his state’s Medicaid expansion.
Consumers Could Have Fewer Options If Large Insurers Merge
News outlets examine the recent marketplace developments among large insurance companies and within the health sector.
Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Humana: A Weekend’s Worth Of Merger Offers And Rejections
The insurance sector action culminated Sunday when Cigna rejected Anthem’s takeover bid.
Newly Released Emails Shine Light On Jonathan Gruber’s Role In Health Law
The emails, obtained by the House Oversight Committee and given to The Wall Street Journal, show that the MIT economist talked regularly to top federal and White House officials as the law was being drafted.
California’s Exchange Launches Massive Collection Of Patient Data
Covered California says the data-mining effort is essential to measure the quality of care received by the 1.4 million people enrolled on the state’s health insurance marketplace, but the operation raises patient privacy questions.
CBO: Repealing Obamacare Would Boost Deficit, Number Of Uninsured
If Republicans succeed in repealing the 2010 health care law, it would add significantly to the deficit even using the budget accounting method favored by Republicans, according to projections by the Congressional Budget Office.
State Republican Leaders Ask Congress To Offer Possible Plan To Salvage Subsidies
The officials are concerned that the Supreme Court may strike down the health law subsidies to help consumers pay for their premiums in states that are using the federal online insurance marketplace. Those concerns are also spurring other state actions and talks about possible moves on Capitol Hill.
Insurers, Health Providers Anxious About Decision On Health Law Subsidies
The Wall Street Journal reports that some people are making medical appointments now in anticipation of a ruling that could end their health coverage. Also bracing for the ruling, hospitals would explore ways to increase charity care if subsidies end for millions, while insurers might reexamine their participation in some markets. Business Insider, meanwhile, looks at the two men who will likely decide the law’s fate — Justices Anthony Kennedy and Chief Justice John Roberts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Conservative Health Policy; GOP’s Budget Plan; Medicare Spending At End Of Life
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Hospitals’ Tax Status; States’ Influence On ACA Views; Wellness Programs
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Longer Looks: Revival Of The Midwife; From The Streets To The O.R.
Each week, KHN’s Alana Pockros finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health care developments in Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Connecticut and Tennessee.
VA Criticized For Plans To Limit Costly Hep C Drugs To Some Veterans
The plan, which includes outsourcing treatment to private doctors and setting criteria to decide who gets expensive new drugs, is intended to address a surge in cases and depletion of funds, reports the Arizona Republic. On the campaign trail, meanwhile, candidate Hillary Clinton spoke out against the blanket privatization of VA health care, but said that veterans need more choices. And the U.S. agreed to provide disability benefits to as many as 2,100 Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange who were previously deemed ineligible.
