Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of health policy stories from Vermont, California, Texas, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas and Wisconsin.
Anthem Strikes Deal With Gilead For Hepatitis C Drug
The insurance company says it will use Gildead’s Harvoni, a recently approved medication, as its primary treatment of the liver disease. Also in the news, some Medicare beneficiaries using an Aetna prescription drug plan run into trouble getting their medicines and a new study examines the drug approval procedure.
Many Fla. Consumers Go Back Onto Marketplace To Reexamine 2015 Health Options
Also in state marketplace news, officials in Washington, Delaware and Kentucky report enrollment statistics, while one outlet looks at a new option in Pennsylvania.
Health Law Hurdles Include GOP Push To Repeal, High Court Subsidy Review
These issues, combined with other factors, continue to cloud the health overhaul’s future.
For Some, Health Insurance Status Could Make Tax Season Even Trickier
Federal officials announced Thursday an effort to prevent consumer confusion by providing online resources to help decode the new filing requirements regarding health insurance. Private tax preparers also are offering assistance.
Republicans Seek Caucus Consensus On Dealing With The Health Law
Developing an Obamacare strategy continues to pose challenges for the GOP, which now controls both chambers of Congress. Also in the news, President Barack Obama reaches out to two Tennessee Republican Senate committee chairmen, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, considers fast action on the medical device tax repeal. Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was elected to head the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging.
House GOP Approves Bill To Change Health Law Work Week Definition
The measure, which gained easy passage in the House but will face greater challenges in the Senate, revises the health law’s definition of full-time work to 40 hours rather than 30 hours. The law requires larger employers to provide insurance coverage for full-time workers.
First Edition: January 9, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Whose Obamacare Scenario Do You Believe? Pollsters Or Politicians?; Tax Effects
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Children’s Dental, Medical Apps, America’s Bitter Pill
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Kentucky, California, Iowa, Maryland and Georgia.
States Vary In How Medicaid Handles ‘Medically Complex’ Kids
Stateline examines challenges related to this Medicaid policy. In addition, the Kansas Health Institute News Service takes a look at how the end of the Medicaid pay boost will hit primary care doctors within the state.
Appeals Court Hears Arguments On Texas Abortion Clinic Rules
The Texas law was debated Wednesday before a federal appeals court in New Orleans that has already dealt with similar issues in Mississippi.
Feds Use Physician Pay Data To Probe Fraud
Modern Healthcare reports on how the data made public last year can help the government prosecute health care fraud. Two federal lawsuits filed against a Florida cardiologist offer examples.
FDA Advisory Panel Backs First Potential ‘Copycat’ Drug
If the government accepts the recommendation, it could mean millions of dollars in savings for consumers who need expensive drugs.
So Far, The Feds Still Say No To Utah’s Medicaid Work Requirement
Meanwhile, Medicaid expansion efforts, positions and policies in Arkansas, Texas, Florida and Kentucky highlight how the expansion is playing in different locations across the country.
Workers Pay More For Health Care Despite Slowed Premium Increases: Study
Stagnant wage growth caused workers to need a bigger percentage of their income to cover premiums and other costs.
Obamacare Sign-Ups Increase Steadily
The Obama administration reported Wednesday that nearly 103,000 people signed up for coverage last week in the 37 states using the federal exchange, bringing enrollment to 6.6 million in those states. Meanwhile, small businesses are steering clear of the exchanges designed for them and Minnesota’s state exchange gets a $34 million infusion from the feds.
As GOP Leaders Aim To Build Public Trust, The White House Issues Veto Threats
In the early days of this congressional session, it appears that a serious divide exists between Republican leaders and the White House.
Full-Time Work Week Bill Sets Up Face-Off Between Hill GOP, White House
The measure would raise the health law’s definition of full-time work to 40 hours. The measure is expected to gain easy passage in the House, but will face a more difficult challenge in the Senate, where Republicans don’t have a filibuster-proof majority.
