Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: December 10, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Health Law’s Impact On CBO’s Future And On Democratic Senators
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy news stories from California, Iowa, Virginia, New York and New Jersey.
Health Law Consultant Will Be ‘Under Assault’ During Today’s House Hearing
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and strident opponent of the overhaul, will be among those questioning MIT professor Jonathan Gruber about possible deceptions and a lack of transparency in the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
Senate Dems Seek Vote On Surgeon General Nominee Before Year’s End
Efforts to hold a vote on nominee Vivek Murthy appear to be gaining momentum although it’s unclear he can win confirmation.
GOP Leaders Contemplate The Best Way To Take A Shot At The Health Law
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is holding high-level meetings to consider such strategies. He also listed for the Wall Street Journal the votes he plans to hold to attempt to repeal specific provisions of the law. Meanwhile, USA Today details the relationship between health law votes and Senate Democratic losses.
Half Of Doctors Listed As Treating Medicaid Patients Are Unavailable, HHS Finds
The report by the HHS inspector general’s office concludes that large numbers of doctors on Medicaid provider lists were not offering appointments to enrollees. Also, Modern Healthcare examines whether the health law’s Medicaid expansion may be tied to a drop in disability claims.
Religious Groups, Including Denver Nuns, Challenge Health Law’s Birth Control Rules
Lawyers for the Little Sisters of the Poor, as well as other faith-based nonprofit organizations, argued in a federal appeals court that the federal government hasn’t done enough to ensure they don’t have to violate their beliefs.
Audit Challenges $32M Spent By Colorado Insurance Exchange
A highly critical audit of Colorado’s health insurance exchange finds almost $489,000 in “unallowable or unreasonable” payments to vendors and service providers and more than $32 million in problematic spending. Meanwhile, Oregon decides to use an online Medicaid enrollment system from Kentucky, and Illinois’ efforts to set up a state exchange fall short.
Officials Push ‘Hard-To-Reach’ Consumers To Sign Up For Obamacare
Elsewhere, USA Today looks at HHS’s release of incorrect numbers on how many enrolled in marketplace plans.
First Edition: December 9, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Health Law’s Effect On The Economy; The Shrinking Ranks Of Private Practice Doctors
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Conn. Continued Medicaid Eligibility; N.Y. Single Payer Gets Hearing
A selection of health policy news stories from Iowa, North Carolina, New Mexico, Colorado, Pennsylvania and other states.
Lawmakers Ready Last-Minute Push To Prevent Veteran Suicides
With just days to go in the lame-duck session, House and Senate lawmakers will try to fast-track a bill aimed at reducing these deaths. Elsewhere, a VA system in Alabama continues to face long waits for mental health care.
Despite Doctor Shortages, Efforts Lag To Expand Rural Telemedicine
In the meantime, a new survey says many doctors are feeling the pinch of the health law on their time, and that it’s adding to a primary care shortage.
Paralegal Accuses Drugmaker Of Firing Her For Protesting Alleged Kickback Scheme
The former employee says Sanofi let her go after she raised questions about the company’s efforts to sell insulin medicines. Also in the news, a small Iowa insurance company accuses Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of anti-competitive behavior.
Senate Democrats Push For Health Care Tax Break For Laid-Off Workers
Republicans are also pushing a bill to give people with disabilities access to tax-free savings accounts.
GOP’s Cassidy Wins La. Senate Race And Vows To Take Aim At Health Law
Rep. Bill Cassidy, who defeated Sen. Mary Landrieu in a run-off election Saturday, is a doctor who first ran for office after becoming concerned about a breakdown in health care after Hurricane Katrina.
Exodus Of Democrats’ Health Care Crusaders In Congress
Politico looks at the generational upheaval among congressional Democrats as a new Republican Congress takes over in January. Other stories examine how the Health and Human Services Department has “entrepreneurs-in-residence” advising on health IT projects and how the working poor in North Carolina who rely on tips, commissions or jobs with variable hours can have a tough time predicting annual income to qualify for insurance subsidies.
Minn. Firm Gets Birth Control Mandate Exemption
Elsewhere, faith-based groups make the argument in federal court why they shouldn’t have to cover birth control in their health insurance plans — despite a health law compromise.
