Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: January 16, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: A Health Strategy For GOP; Cutting Medical Bill Stress; Balancing The Budget
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Opiates For Vets; Taking About Death; A Senior Moment In N.Y.
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, California, New York, Wisconsin, Colorado, Mississippi, Tennessee and Massachusetts.
New Report Explores How Medicare Payments Impact Hospice Care
The Washington Post examines how profit motives sometimes shape end-of-life care.
Federal Agents Raid Florida Medical Supply Firm
The action is part of a Medicare fraud probe into a company led by Daniel Porush, who was the basis for the lead character in the Hollywood film, “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Federal Judge Strikes Down Home Health Care Wage And Overtime Rules
The ruling overturned the Labor Department’s regulations regarding overtime and minimum-wage protections for more than 2 million home health care workers — also known as personal-care aides or certified nursing assistants — in the U.S.
Obama To Propose Expanded Paid Sick Leave Policies
President Barack Obama will sign a presidential memorandum granting federal employees six weeks paid leave after the birth of a child and six additional weeks of unpaid administrative leave, aides say. He also will urge Congress to adopt a bill that guarantees more sick time to many Americans and will outline a plan to help states create paid leave programs.
As GOP Eyes Procedure To Assail Health Law, Senate Parliamentarian Takes On Key Role
Republican lawmakers at their annual retreat will consider dismantling parts of the health overhaul with a complicated strategy known as reconciliation. The Senate official who must rule on that effort will be parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. Meanwhile, the HHS secretary is reaching out to Republicans while the head of the Chamber of Commerce is asking for changes on the law’s tax structure.
Obamacare Tax-Filing Requirements, Budget Cuts Will Add To IRS Customer Service Woes
A government report predicts waiting times as long as 30 minutes for taxpayers trying to call the Internal Revenue Service.
Survey: Fewer Americans Struggle With Health Care Costs
In its biennial health insurance survey, the Commonwealth Fund found that more people have health coverage and fewer people say they are delaying necessary medical care because of costs.
Health Law Enrollment Edges Up With One Month Until Deadline
With the Feb. 15 deadline approaching to sign up for health insurance this year, the Obama administration and other groups are ramping up outreach. Reports track efforts to get Latinos covered and monitor sign-ups in Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Georgia and Texas.
First Edition: January 15, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Needs Health Care Strategy Quickly; The Cost Of Medicaid ‘Stinginess’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Nebraska, California, Colorado, Mississippi, North Carolina, Kansas, Montana, Georgia, Indiana and New York.
Governors With National Aspirations Touch On Medicaid, Health Policy In State-Of-The-State Speeches
In outlining signature policy issues, governors such as Chris Christie from New Jersey, Scott Walker from Wisconsin and Mike Pence from Indiana tackled issues ranging from Medicaid expansion to drug treatment and reining in public workers’ benefits.
Aetna Sees Membership Growth From Health Law
In addition, the insurer plans to boost pay and cover more of the health care costs of about 7,000 of its workers. Meanwhile, digital health has grown from being a side show to one of the main events at the annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference.
U.S. Companies Increasingly Use Penalties To Push Employee Wellness Programs
Reuters reports that, among the two-thirds of large companies using wellness programs — which were included in the health law — almost a quarter are imposing financial penalties on employees who opt-out.
California Marketplace Signs Up 217,000 New Health Enrollees
The announcement by Covered California, the state’s health insurance exchange, signals that the state is on track to meet its goal of adding 500,000 people to the 1.2 million who signed up last year, officials say. The exchange is reminding consumers about the penalty most face for going without coverage.
GOP Election Gains Could Threaten Medicaid Expansion Momentum
Some Republican governors who were interested in pursuing an expansion now face unexpected roadblocks. Also, new GOP muscle in Congress, as well as the pending health law case at the Supreme Court, are combining to undermine some interest in this health law provision.
