Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Says 16.4 Million People Have Gained Insurance Under Health Law
The increase, which includes people buying private insurance on the law’s marketplaces, young adults covered on their parents’ policies and those covered through an expansion of Medicaid, has driven the largest reduction of uninsured Americans in four decades, officials said.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: It’s Time To Get Rid Of Annual Medicare Doc Pay Fix; Lobbyists Rally On Health
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, Oregon, Washington state, California, Minnesota, Iowa and Colorado.
Texas Medicaid Fraud Investigators Fall Short Of Annual Goals
Meanwhile, in Missouri, the Medicaid program is stepping up its interest in wellness incentives; and, in Colorado, an issue emerges regarding the Medicaid transport program.
Aid Workers Being Flown Back To U.S. After Possible Ebola Exposure
The four health care workers are among 10 who officials worry had contact with another American worker with the virus in Sierra Leone.
Obama Visits Phoenix VA Hospital, Says New Leadership ‘Chipping Away’ At Problems
President Barack Obama made a visit to the once-troubled veterans’ health facility where whistle blowers triggered a scandal and officials undertook a massive effort to shape up the system.
Colo. Co-Op Captures Biggest Market Share On State Insurance Exchange
The nonprofit health insurance co-op made market gains with an aggressive price cut. Some analysts, though, warn that this strategy involves financial risk. In other Colorado health exchange news, state Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar says it’s time for non-compliant plans that were allowed last year to transition to more comprehensive plans required under the Affordable Care Act.
N.H. House Panel Votes To End State’s Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Maggie Hassan, whose budget plans include keeping the expansion, calls the move “misguided.” News outlets also take a look at debate about the issue in Tennessee and Missouri.
As Special Obamacare Late-Enrollment Period Begins, So Do More Efforts To Sign People Up
The special sign-up window is being billed as a mechanism to ease the sting of tax penalties for those who didn’t obtain health insurace in 2014, but news outlets report that it is unclear how many people are aware of this period, which ends April 30.
Hospitals Could Be Hurt If Supreme Court Rules Against Subsidies
Elsewhere, the Internal Revenue Service warns consumers of tax scams related to the health law penalty, and USA Today looks at why prevention programs meant to keep Americans healthy are lagging, despite the law.
House Leaders Pursue Deal To Change Medicare’s Payment Formula For Doctors
The bipartisan negotiations reportedly would also include an extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, but financing is still a problem and some senators are concerned about the contours of the deal.
Congressional Republicans To Unveil 2016 Budget Blueprints
Even as GOP House and Senate lawmakers finalize their budget plans, intraparty differences are beginning to emerge, but efforts to balance the budget and reign in entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid will likely be key components.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Fixing Medicare; Promises To Vets Broken; Ohio’s Medicaid Problems
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Teen Suicides; Medicare Pay For Doctors; Out-Of-Pocket Costs
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Texas, Kansas, North Carolina and Arizona.
Obama Pays Visit To Troubled VA Hospital
President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit the Arizona veterans hospital which triggered national scrutiny of the VA health care system. On the eve of that visit, VA Secretary Robert McDonald says it will take time and leadership to reform the massive system.
Despite Cost, Congressional Momentum Building For Medicare ‘Doc Fix’
The price tag of a deal to permanently address scheduled Medicare physician pay reductions would be an estimated $174 billion. Action is necessary before March 31 in order to stop the next round of cuts from taking effect.
Medicaid Among Targets In Senate GOP Budget Slated For Release Next Week
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Republican budget blueprint would propose turning funding for Medicaid into a block grant. This idea is not a new one and has been met with Democratic opposition in the past. Meanwhile, Politico notes how GOP plans are taking shape — including those strategies that could impact the health law — regarding the parliamentary maneuvers surrounding the budget.
