Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
First Edition: February 24, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Enrollment Extension; Health Law By The Numbers; Hospital Safety
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Calif. Attorney General Approves Hospital Sale; N.Y. Fights Fraud With Data
A selection of health policy stories from California, New York, Virginia, Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Hospital Closures Loom As More Patients Seek Care In Other Venues
More services are being delivered in clinics, at home or in doctors’ offices. Hospitals are being forced to cut back their beds, and some face the prospect of closing down. However, children’s hospitals appear to be doing fine.
Millions Of People Don Scrubs For Health Care’s Many Middle Class Jobs
In 1980, 1.4 million jobs in health care paid a middle class wage: $40,000 to $80,000 a year in today’s money. Now, the figure is 4.5 million, according to The New York Times. But for home health care workers, wages still lag, USA Today reports.
Nursing Home Quality Scores Drop After New Rating System Takes Effect
The ratings of nearly a third of the nation’s nursing homes were lowered on Friday, as federal officials toughened scoring as a result of criticism that the ratings were often inflated. Federal officials said they hoped the changes would make it easier for consumers to compare facilities.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Reportedly Reconsidering Abortion Stance
The New York Times reports that at a closed-door meeting in Iowa, Walker — who is said to be considering a run at the presidency — highlighted his support for a “personhood amendment,” which defines life as beginning at conception.
UCLA Seeks To Soothe ‘Superbug’ Fears After Bacterial Outbreak, Patient Deaths
Federal officials are also finalizing new instructions on how to sterilize the medical instruments responsible for spreading the drug-resistant pathogens.
Obama Administration Calls For National Food Safety Agency
The move aims to streamline regulation for food, which now falls under the purview of more than a dozen government agencies. Elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal offers five things to know about new federal food guidelines.
Medicare Proposes Slight Cut In Payments To Advantage Plans
Officials said the rate proposal would trim payments an average of 0.95 percent for 2016 but most insurers would see a revenue increase as a result of billing for more intensive services.
Medicaid Expansion Plans Falter In Wyoming, Kansas
A proposal to accept federal money to expand the health program in Wyoming dies in the state House of Representatives, as it already had in the Senate. In Kansas, the lawmaker overseeing the committee with jurisdiction over the issue declines to hold hearings. Medicaid also makes news in Ohio, Georgia and Illinois.
Administration Announces Next Fall’s Enrollment Period Will Shift Earlier
Open enrollment for 2016 plans will start Nov. 1, 2015 and end Jan. 31, 2016, a three-week shift from the 2015 enrollment period, according to new regulations issued Friday. Other rules laid out new prohibitions on plans that don’t cover hospital care and delayed a provision affecting small businesses.
Facing Obamacare Tax Penalty? You Have More Time To Enroll This Year
Between 3 million and 6 million households that face tax penalties for not having health insurance in 2014 will have 45 extra days this year to get coverage and avoid the penalty for 2015.
Bad Tax Info From Healthcare.gov Impacts 800,000
A healthcare.gov glitch has officials urging those who got bad tax information regarding health insurance subsidies to wait to file their taxes until they get the correct guidance. Those who have already filed will likely have to submit amended returns.
Governors Look To Washington If High Court Strikes Down Subsidies
Governors of the states that would be affected if the Supreme Court invalidates federal-exchange subsidies say they’re worried about the impact but most expect contingency plans to come from Congress and the White House.
