Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Gruber’s ‘World-Class Cynicism’; ‘De-Fanging’ Obamacare; A Democrat’s Lament
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, New York and Massachusetts.
As Generic Drug Prices Soar, Many Call For Greater Scrutiny
Elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal looks at lobbying for rare disease research, and Vice President Joe Biden urges advocates to lobby Congress for $6.2 billion for Ebola aid.
Cancer Care Giant Faces Medicare Billing Probe
The Justice Department is investigating whether 21st Century Oncology “knowingly billed for services that were not medically necessary,” reports The Wall Street Journal. Other stories look at the government’s withdrawal of a rule regarding the 340B drug discount program, double-digit increases in the prices hospitals pay for technology and the increase in plans covering gender reassignment surgery.
Democrats, Republicans Battle Over Jonathan Gruber’s Role In Designing Obamacare
As Republicans demand hearings into the impolitic remarks of an MIT economist who helped advise the administration on the Affordable Care Act, Democrats challenge the description of him as an ‘architect’ of the bill. Meanwhile, a fourth video surfaces of Gruber questioning whether the law would curb health care costs.
Insurance Agents Hope Health Law’s Second Enrollment Season Runs More Smoothly
In some locations, like Washington state, brokers are expected to play a larger role.
GAO: Small Business Obamacare Enrollment Fell Far Short Of Administration Expectations
The Government Accountability Office examined totals for state-run online health insurance marketplaces for small business, known as SHOP exchanges. Tallies from the 33 state exchanges that the federal government operated are not available yet, but researchers predict those numbers will be low, too.
Enrollment Period Could Also Be An Open Season For ID Theft
The wealth of data that will be sent and received during the sign-up period could offer additional opportunities for high-tech criminals to steal data or trick customers into providing them with personal information. Also in the news, the latest on how the contraception mandate leagl cases are shaking out, and more on how the health law uses Medicare to improve health care quality.
Examining Medicaid Expansion’s Strain On Health Care System
In other Medicaid expansion news, former HHS head Kathleen Sebelius is confident more states will opt for expansion in 2015, and newly elected and soon-to-be appointed officials in Utah and Texas have their stances on the program for low-income Americans scrutinized.
With Memories Of Troubled Enrollment Process Last Year, Officials Promise Improvements
News outlets examine preparations for enrollment in Nevada, Minnesota, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio, Colorado, Virginia and Missouri.
Administration’s 2015 Enrollment Outreach: Shorter, More Targeted, Lower Key
Last year’s high-wattage campaign that featured celebrities and used late-night television will be dialed back this year. On Saturday, the sign-up period kick-off, administration officials will fan out, but President Barack Obama will be out of the country. He will talk about open enrollment during his Saturday radio address, however.
What To Expect If You’re In The Market For New Coverage
News outlets set the scene for kick-off of the health law’s open enrollment period and offer consumers tips regarding what they’ll need to know when considering health insurance coverage.
First Edition: November 14, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Nursing Home Safety; How The Court Could Impact Subsidies; Origin Of An SHPOS
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the web.
Viewpoints: Senate’s ‘Reconciliation’ Strategy; Gruber’s Candor; Scalia And The Health Law
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Mo. Abortion Bill Returns; Colo. Uses Pot Money For Health Workers
A selection of health policy stories from Missouri, Colorado, Massachusetts, California, Texas, Oregon, New York and North Carolina.
White House Seeking $6.18 Billion For Anti-Ebola Efforts
Politico reports that the push for new funding is viewed as a post-election test to see if the two parties can work together on a health issue. Politico also reports that the military is now on track to send about 3,000 troops — down from 4,000 — to fight Ebola in West Africa.
Study Questions Need For Long-Term Care Insurance For Most People
The analysis by Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research found the insurance makes financial sense only for the richest 20 to 30 percent of unmarried people. Other reports look at an executive shuffle at UnitedHealth Group and the assertion by WellCare Health Plans that the government’s star rating system for Medicare Advantage plans is biased against those serving low-income people.
Key Spending, Tax Decisions Could Come From Outside GOP’s Senate Budget Committee
In the meantime, the GOP begins deciding who will chair which committees on Capitol Hill. Also, some wonder who will next lead the Congressional Budget Office — that nonpartisan arbiter of government spending.
Gruber Videos Hand GOP Ammunition Against Obamacare
A third video emerged Wednesday of MIT economist and health law architect Jonathan Gruber disparaging voters, and some Republicans proposed that he be called to testify before Congress.
