Latest KFF Health News Stories
Poll: If High Court Rules Against Health Law Subsidies, Most Say They Want Them Restored
More than 6 in 10 Americans said they would want Congress to restore federal financial aid for people buying health insurance through the health law’s federal exchange if the Supreme Court invalidates some of those government subsidies, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll.
9.5 Million Sign Up For Insurance Through Health Law Marketplaces
Of those, 7.1 million have signed up through healthcare.gov, and more than 58 percent of people who are signing up are doing so for the second time.
First Edition: January 28, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Medicare’s Cost Cutting; Paying For Obamacare; Warren Misguided In Pharma Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Georgia, Kansas, New York, California, New Mexico, Missouri and Illinois.
Administration Seeks More Money To Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
The White House wants to double the amount of federal funding dedicated to combating the resistant bacteria. Meanwhile, the Veterans Affairs department is creating five service regions as part of a major reorganization, and the FDA taps a Duke cardiologist for a top post.
Ohio’s AG Sues Over Health Law Tax On State, Local Governments
The Republican state official is also challenging a provision that allows some tax money to go directly into Treasury Department coffers. Other stories examine medical device makers’ assertion that a health law tax has devastated them, a watchdog report that asserts that several health law programs do the same thing, and how Maryland residents still struggle to get mental health services.
New Surgeon General Talks Up Obamacare
Vivek Murthy, who was confirmed last month, is going on a cross-country tour, “reminding community leaders of the February 15th deadline” for enrollment in health law plans, reports The Hill. Meanwhile, about 800,000 California households received $3.2 billion in Obamacare premium subsidies, according to state officials.
3.2 Million Newly Eligible Adults Enrolled In Medicaid In Early 2014, CMS Reports
The findings by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services do not include every state that expanded Medicaid but they are the first federal effort to define how many enrollees are new to the program. Also in the news, the latest from Arkansas and Tennessee regarding expansion plans in those states.
High Court Ruling Chips Away At Health Benefits Promised To Union Retirees
In what’s being viewed as a victory for corporate America, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled Monday that “ambiguous” provisions of union contracts shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted in workers’ favor.
Federal Employees Would Get Paid Parental Leave Under House Democrats’ Bill
The measure, which was introduced Monday, follows a call by President Barack Obama during his State-Of-The-Union address to take such action. In other legislative news, the Senate Finance Committee is scheduled this week to consider a bipartisan veterans’ bill that would create incentives to hire veterans. It also includes a health law tweak that would allow companies to exempt vets who get health care through the Veterans Health Administration from the health law’s employer mandate calculations.
The Congressional Budget Office forecasts that the red ink will start flowing again in 2017, and by 2025, deficits could again top $1 trillion.
Medicare Officials Announce Major Shift To Pay For Quality
The goal, officials say, is for the health care program for the elderly and disabled to pay providers based on quality and frugality. HHS officials say 50 percent of all Medicare pay would be made this way by 2018.
First Edition: January 27, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Ending Health Law Is Not Immoral; ‘Revolution’ In Hep C Drug Prices
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Hospitals See $46B In Unpaid Bills Before Health Law’s Insurance Expansions
The data comes from a 2013 survey by the American Hospital Association. Other stories look at how hospitals are faring under the law’s new incentive programs to boost quality and at the vice president’s call for renewed focus on patient safety.
WHO Works To Reform Its Capacity To Respond To Global Health Emergencies
Following its slow start in battling the Ebola epidemic in Africa, the World Health Organization unanimously approves a resolution designed to overhaul its capacity to respond to and stop outbreaks and other health emergencies.
Measles Outbreak Fails To Move Vaccine Opponents
As of late last week, 78 cases of the illness had been reported in seven states and Mexico.
Governors’ Budget Plans Touch State Employee Health Benefits, Medicaid
News outlets report on the health policy impact of budget blueprints advanced by the governors of California, Georgia and Maryland.
State Highlights: Calif. Bill Advanced To Address Doctor Network Concerns; KanCare May Go Without IG
A selection of health policy stories from California, Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Florida.
