Latest KFF Health News Stories
Republican Advances At State Level Could Stymie Efforts To Expand Medicaid
Some GOP governors have shown a willingness to negotiate with the federal government on the issue, but legislators are less interested. News outlets also look at specific efforts in Texas and Arizona.
Federal Exchange Is Beating States In Enrolling New Customers
Officials say more than 7 million Americans have signed up for coverage so far using the health law’s marketplaces — more than 6.5 million of them through the federal exchange. But the health law brings new challenges in some places like Kentucky and Idaho.
GOP Majority’s Agenda Includes Fast Action On Health Law Issues
News outlets report that Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the Senate’s new majority leader, plans to take action to undo some parts of the health law, but he acknowledges that a full repeal is unlikely. Also, some reports examine goals of other Republican congressional leaders
First Edition: January 5, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ‘Rip Off’ For Red States; Doctors And Abortion; Anti-Vaccine Movement Waning
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Health Costs And State Budgets; Medicaid Pay Cuts Could Hurt Patients
A selection of stories that affect states and local communities around the country, with reports from Massachusetts, Arizona, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, South Carolina and Kansas.
Research Roundup: Reenrollment; Patients’ Understanding Of Risk; Coverage For HIV
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Longer Looks: Cold Medicine; Next Year’s Health Challenges; Prenatal Testing
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Judge Upholds Firing Of VA Health Care Chief In Phoenix
The federal administrative judge says former director Sharon Helman received more than $13,000 in trips and gifts from a health industry lobbyist.
Costly, New Hep C Drugs Pose Dilemma For Prisons
The Constitution guarantees prisoners the same medical care that’s standard in the community, reports NPR. The trouble is, that standard of care changed practically overnight for those with hepatitis C, which is more common among inmates than among the general public. Meanwhile, Bloomberg News examines the market fallout of the deal between Express Scripts and AbbVie.
FDA Proposes Easing Lifetime Ban On Blood Donations By Gay Men
However, men who have had sex with other men in the past year are still not allowed to donate. Scientists say modern screening methods for HIV make the lifetime ban unnecessary.
With Time Running Out For Jan. 1 Coverage, Some Get Deadline Break
And in North Carolina, a charity is offering to pay premiums for some low-income residents.
Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Near 6.4 Million
With about seven weeks to go until the end of open enrollment, almost 2 million new customers have signed up for coverage and another 4.5 million policyholders either re-enrolled or were automatically renewed in their policies in the 37 states that participate in the federal exchange.
First Edition: December 24, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Vermont’s Insurance ‘Washout;’ Struggles For A Small Business Owner
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Communities’ Mental Health Failures; Medicaid And EHRs
A selection of stories that affect states and local communities around the country.
Lawmakers, Reports Say VA Projects Wasting Billions
And, in Kansas, researchers says the federal government lacks a proper plan to care for returning soldiers wounded on the battleground.
Judge Strikes Down Federal Pay Raise For Some Home Caregivers
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon says the new rules conflict with federal law. Also in news affecting seniors, the Justice Department files a complaint against Onmicare Inc., alleging the pharmacy services provider received kickbacks from a drug maker.
CDC Director Sees Progress In Ebola Fight
After a week-long visit to West Africa, Thomas Frieden, who heads the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says he sees “real momentum” in Liberia, but also “sobering” challenges, such as a shortage of beds, in neighboring Sierra Leone and Guinea.
