Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obama Seeks To Mend Congressional Fences; Harkin Wishes For A Health Law Do-Over
The Washington Post reports on how politics and posturing related to the health law are playing out on Capitol Hill. In addition, Politico interviews incoming Ways & Means Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., about his policy visions.
House Approves Disability Aid Bill
Backers of the legislation, which would allow people with disabilities to have tax-free bank accounts to pay health care expenses and a range of other costs, are urging quick action by the Senate. Meanwhile, the future of Children’s Health Insurance Program is also a hot topic.
Survey: 10 Million Got Coverage Due To Obamacare
An Urban Institute study concludes the nation’s uninsured rate fell more than five percentage points as 10 million people gained coverage over the past year. Meanwhile, USA Today names a business leader who helped build several successful state exchanges and the small business exchange as a finalist for its entrepreneur of the year award.
Small Business Exchange Attracts Few Customers
The Washington Post examines why the SHOP exchanges are drawing so little interest, while a Colorado report notes that insurance carriers there are waiting for at least $20 million in government payments. Meanwhile, Minnesota trims its enrollment targets by a third and a baseball player is featured in an insurance ad in Maryland.
U.S. Health Spending Shows Modest Increase
Federal officials report that in 2013 health spending grew 3.6 percent, the lowest annual increase since the government began tracking the statistic in 1960.
First Edition: December 4, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Court Must Weigh Pregnancy Rights; Health Law Driving A Wedge In Democratic Party
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets also examine other health policy issues in Ohio, Texas, Iowa, California, Florida and Louisiana.
Ending Medicare Coverage Of Erection Aids Would Save $444M
Medicare’s prescription-drug benefit doesn’t cover erectile-dysfunction medicines and now Congress is weighing a similar ban on the pump devices some men use as an alternative, reports the CBO. Meanwhile, media coverage continues of a drug maker that uses physicians with troubled pasts to market its painkiller and an Avalere study projects consumers will pay more for specialty drugs next year.
Supreme Court Hears Pregnancy Discrimination Case
Pro-life and pro-choice groups find themselves on the same side of a case being heard by the Supreme Court Wednesday about whether United Parcel Service discriminated against a worker who argues the company violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 by refusing to make accommodations for her while she was pregnant.
McConnell: Pending Court Case Offers GOP Best Hope To Undo Health Law
The incoming Senate majority leader said the upper chamber would hold a series of votes to pick apart the health law, but he also mentioned the possibility of a comprehensive re-write of the Affordable Care Act if the Supreme Court strikes down a key provision of the law.
Sebelius Disputes Gruber’s Role In ACA’s Development
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she never met with MIT economist Jonathan Gruber and downplayed the importance of his controversial comments. Meanwhile, the HHS Inspector General talks about his experiences monitoring an agency that accounted for about $1 trillion in federal spending this year.
Kansas Prepares To Give Many Part-Time State Workers Benefits Under The Health Law
The state used to consider employees “full-time” for health insurance purposes if they worked 36 hours a week, but the federal law sets that standard at 30 hours a week. Also, in news related to the health law, a federal appeals court in New Orleans will hear a case brought by a doctor who opposes the health law.
Wyoming Gov. Changes Course And Urges Legislature To Expand Medicaid
Republican Gov. Matt Mead, who has opposed the federal health law, says officials cannot tell working Wyoming residents without insurance “that we’re not going to do anything.” Also in the news, enrollment opens for Pennsylvania’s expanded Medicaid program and advocates urge expansion in Nebraska.
Most States Take Wait-And-See Approach To Subsidies Challenge
Few states are moving to set up their own online health marketplaces even though the Supreme Court will weigh whether the health law mandates that federal premium subsidies should be withheld in states that still rely on a federal marketplace. Meanwhile, Washington and California residents report problems with their state exchanges and San Francisco’s supervisors look at providing additional subsidies to help low-income residents buy policies.
Report: Hospital-Acquired Infections And Other Medical Errors Reduced By 17 Percent
A report released by the Department of Health and Human Services noted that this reduction took place between 2010 and 2013, and saved an estimated 50,000 lives.
First Edition: December 3, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ‘Reform’ CBO; Underinsurance Is A Problem Often Overlooked; Calorie Labeling
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets also examine other health policy issues in Vermont, Michigan, Texas, North Carolina, Kansas, Colorado, California and Georgia.
NYC To Spend $130M To Divert People With Mental Illness From Jails
Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plans are based on the recommendations of a task force he appointed following reports detailing problems at the city’s troubled Rikers Island jail complex, including the deaths of two inmates suffering from serious mental illness.
