Latest KFF Health News Stories
FBI Closing In On Culprits Behind Massive Cyberattack On Anthem’s Database
Anthem officials disclosed more information about the theft of personal information for 60 million to 80 million people, including customers who were members of other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.
Fight Over Medicaid Expansion Creating Stark North-South Divide
The highest rates of uninsurance are mostly in Southern states, where opposition is strong to the health law’s option to expand the health program for low-income residents. Meanwhile, Utah’s state Senate gives preliminary approval to a plan by the governor to expand Medicaid.
Half Of Obamacare Enrollees Must Pay Back Part Of Insurance Subsidies
Tax-preparer H&R Block says that 52 percent of Americans they are helping file their taxes owe an average of $530 in paying the government back for subsidies because their income changed during the course of the year. Elsewhere, the Department of Health and Human Services plans health law investigations this year, and exchange problems make news in Washington state and Minnesota.
Burwell: No Back-Up Plan If High Court Overturns Obamacare Tax Credits
In a letter to Congress Tuesday, the secretary of Health and Human Services says a court decision striking down the subsidies on the federal marketplace would do “massive damage,” and the administration would not have authority to fix the problems.
Stakes Are High In Supreme Court’s Review Of Health Law’s Subsidies
Currently, there’s no clear alternative if the court rules that the health law’s subsidies cannot be used on the federal marketplace, healthcare.gov. Such a decision could increase coverage costs for an estimated 6 million people.
IRS Issues Reprieve To Those Who Filed Taxes Before Faulty Forms Were Detected
The Internal Revenue Services won’t collect additional taxes from the estimated 50,000 people who filed their tax returns based on incorrect government statements — known as 1095-A forms — regarding their 2014 health coverage.
First Edition: February 25, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: A Possible GOP Alternative To Health Law; Disability Insurance ‘Meltdown’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from North Dakota, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, California and Vermont.
Va. Lawmakers Reject Medicaid Expansion, Embrace Some Mental Health Spending
Negotiators working on Virginia’s budget found agreement after working over the weekend, but decided against expanding a health program for poorer Virginians. In Connecticut, some criticize proposed Medicaid cuts.
Calif. A.G. Allows Sale Of Safety-Net Hospitals To Prime Healthcare
Attorney General Kamala Harris approved the $843 million deal late last week but laid out a number of “take it or leave it” conditions Prime must meet.
Federal Lawmaker Calls For ‘Superbug’ Prevention Investigation
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., is asking a House committee to examine what the federal government is doing to prevent such infections. In the meantime, regulators are skeptical the instruments implicated in a superbug outbreak in California can be properly cleaned.
Medicare May Fine Advantage Plans For Inaccurate Provider Lists
Elsewhere, a Medicare decision on “preferred pharmacy networks” is met by mostly cheers from industry officials.
Hospitals Spending Billions On New Buildings, But They May Not Improve Patient Satisfaction
NPR examines the building boom among hospitals and how these new facilities differ from what they’re replacing. KHN reports on a study from Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore that found patients weren’t any more satisfied in a new building.
Humana, Aetna Project Lower Medicare Revenue
The insurers respond to Medicare’s announcement of a slight decline in payment rates for Advantage plans. Meanwhile, Tenet recorded higher admissions and revenue as newly insured patients sought treatment.
Sen. Hatch Prepares Obamacare Contingency Plan
The Senate Finance Committee chairman is readying a “short-term” proposal to help those who could lose subsidies if the Supreme Court strikes them down in a challenge to the health law. Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, some push to tie funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program to a Medicare doctor pay fix, and changes are in store for the top leadership at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Sign-Ups Stagnate In State Exchanges This Year
Although state-run exchanges in California and New York led the nation in enrolling consumers in health coverage in 2014, that was not the case this year, reports Bloomberg News. Other stories look at enrollment tallies in Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Connecticut.
Almost 11 Million People Get Medicaid Under Health Law
Since the health law took effect, 10.8 million more people are covered by the federal-state insurance program for low-income residents. Meanwhile, Utah’s hospitals offer to pay for the state’s share of Medicaid expansion.
Key Variables In Health Law Challenge: Who Has Standing? What Do Four Words Mean?
News outlets examine various arguments that could factor into the Supreme Court’s consideration of a pending challenge to the health law.
Survey: With Health Law’s Help, Uninsured Rate Drops To Lowest Level In 7 Years
A nationwide Gallup survey found the nation’s uninsured rate dropped in 2014, with those states that fully implemented the health law leading the decline in adults without coverage.
