Latest KFF Health News Stories
Group Advising Congress Seeks End Of Medicare’s ‘Two-Midnight’ Rule
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MedPAC, is looking at ways to get rid of Medicare’s “two-midnight” rule by eliminating the category of observation status at hospitals. Meanwhile, patient groups join regulators in advocating for greater federal oversight of certain diagnostic tests.
Patient Group’s Success Developing Drugs Earns Kudos, Criticism
About 15 years ago, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation began investing in a biotechnology firm to develop drugs to treat the lung disease. That funding has produced new drugs, but their price tags have spurred criticism of the group, reports The New York Times. Meanwhile, the FDA delays a rule for updating generic drug labeling.
Feds: Employers Cannot Give Workers Stipends To Shop On Government Exchanges
The Labor Department warns businesses against giving workers money to buy individual insurance policies in government-run exchanges. Other stories look at the cost of such policies and also advise workers with employer-sponsored coverage what issues to consider during their annual open enrollment.
White House Stresses That Gruber’s Role Was Limited
Meanwhile, as controversy continues about the former adviser’s remarks about the strategy for pushing through the law, several outlets examine his comments in relation to the tax on Cadillac plans.
House GOP Hires Jonathan Turley To Sue Obama
The choice of Turley, who says he voted for President Barack Obama in 2008, comes after two law firms backed out of earlier commitments to represent the Republicans.
Even As President Pitches Health Law’s Positives, New Implementation Problems Emerge
For instance, CQ Healthbeat reports on some of the challenges faced by people who bought exchange plans last year and were then offered employer coverage, too. Meanwhile, a provision of the overhaul is pinching retired cops in Dallas.
Idaho Medicaid Expansion Advocates Tweak Plan In Effort To Gain Lawmaker Support
Elsewhere, Missouri veterans groups are joining a push for an expansion of the low-income health insurance program even though its prospects are dim. And, in North Carolina, a key legislator raises questions about any efforts to expand the program.
What’s Working And What Isn’t: A Progress Report On State Exchanges
States are reporting varying degrees of success. Kentucky’s Kynect is viewed as a model, while news outlets in Maryland and Washington report on what’s been improved over last year and what remains a trouble spot. Also in the news, states made a final run at federal grants to help them set up their own marketplaces. And, in Illinois, state lawmakers are facing one more chance to establish their own exchange.
Immigrants, Others, Still Struggle With Healthcare.gov
Despite a smoother start to this year’s open enrollment, immigrants report there is no clear way to upload copies of their green cards to show they are legal residents, while others have trouble with sign-ins and passwords.
First Edition: November 19, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ACA Obstacles And Reality Checks; Impolitic Comments, Transparency And IPAB
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Kaiser Permanente, Target Set Up Clinics; Mass. Town Irate About Smoking Plan
A selection of health policy stories from California, Kansas, Arizona, Massachusetts, New York and Iowa.
Court System Set Up To Help Families Hurt By Vaccines Is Clogged
An Associated Press analysis finds the efforts are not working and instead have “heaped additional suffering” on families.
Doctor’s Death Highlights Need For Better Ebola Testing
A physician who became ill treating patients in Africa received an incorrect diagnosis.
Despite Progress, VA Wait Times Persist
New data show 10 percent of all Veterans Affairs patients are still waiting a month or longer for appointments, USA Today reports.
Actavis To Acquire Allergan — Purchase Price: $66B
By inking what’s being described as one of the year’s biggest deals, Actavis will be — based on sales — one of the world’s largest drug makers.
Medicare Cost And Quality Websites Not Giving Seniors Enough Information, GAO Says
A new report by the Government Accountability Office detailed how issues with layout and data gaps, among other things, make it difficult for beneficiaries to find out basic facts about things like out-of-pocket costs and quality-of-care measures.
For Boehner’s Birthday, Democratic Leaders Point Out Speaker’s Medicare Eligibility
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was among the Democrats who chose to welcome the House Speaker to Medicare and Social Security as part of his birthday greetings.
Alaska, Montana Governors Push For Medicaid Expansion
A newly elected governor in Alaska and a Montana incumbent advocate expansion of the federal-state program for the poor, while a federal court rejects Maine’s effort to drop some young people, and California is sued for dropping many beneficiaries from its rolls.
Obama, Insurers Forge Bonds As Health Law Is Implemented
The once-tense relationship between the White House and the industry has evolved into a mutually beneficial partnership, reports The New York Times. Meanwhile, state insurance regulators are discussing contingency plans should the Supreme Court decide to invalidate subsidies in states that rely on the federal insurance exchange, according to Politico Pro.
