Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pain Doctors Profit From Drug Tests On Seniors
The Wall Street Journal reports that some Medicare doctors are making more from testing their patients for drug abuse than for treating them for pain. Another story looks at the need for better information to help seniors compare traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans to figure out which is best for them.
Kansas Hospitals Continue Push For Medicaid Expansion
Despite the re-election of Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican who has been opposed to the health law’s expansion of the low-income health insurance program, hospitals hope to advance a plan to state legislators. Also in the news, a new report says Florida hospitals will lose billions of dollars as a result of that state’s decision not to pursue the expansion.
Kentucky Offers Range Of Ways To Enroll In New Coverage
Meanwhile, Washington state officials are promising more options and, potentially, lower costs. In Colorado, no glitches have surfaced regarding the exchange, which is now open for “early shopping,” but a big jump in the cost of keeping its call center operating is also expected.
The Countdown Is On To Nov. 15 Enrollment
News outlets are reminding consumers that the health law’s second open-enrollment season will begin Saturday, and that they can already begin “window-shopping.” In addition, there are a lot of details for consumers and employers to pay attention to.
HHS Lowers Estimate For Health Law Sign-Ups
On Monday, Obama administration officials projected that between 9 and 9.9 million people would enroll in health insurance during the upcoming Obamacare open season. This range is below the 13 million projected earlier by the Congressional Budget Office.
First Edition: November 11, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Win Bolsters Health Law Foes; Ill. Cuts Medicaid Costs; CDC’s Ebola Blunders
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
The surprise announcement by the court Friday elicits a number of opinions.
State Highlights: Ohio Medicaid Costs Lower Than Expected; Fla. Gets $1.2M For Mental Health
A selection of health policy stories from Ohio, Florida, New York, California, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Hawaii.
Cigna Cuts HIV Drug Costs To Settle Discrimination Case
The health insurer agreed to restructure HIV prescription drug benefits, making them less costly to patients in Florida.
Quarantine Policies Make Health Workers Reassess Overseas Work
News outlets also report on the decision by Kaci Hickox, the Maine nurse who refused to self-quarantine, to move out of the state; and the latest from Dallas, where the last of 177 people being monitored for Ebola have been cleared by officials.
Facing Shortage, Officials Turn To Selling Docs On Working For The VA
And VA Secretary Robert McDonald says up to 1,000 workers face disciplinary action over veterans’ long waits for care.
Digital Records Pose Time, Security Challenges
A survey of more than 400 internists confirms what physicians have been saying for years: entering data into electronic records eats up a lot of time, reports NPR. In addition, the digitization poses security risks that the health industry is just starting to prioritize, says The Wall Street Journal.
GOP Debates Strategy On Health Law
With its newfound control of Congress, Republicans debate whether to push for a full repeal of the health care law, as conservatives demand, or take aim at particular provisions, which some party leaders endorse. Meanwhile, the tea party worries what a rising GOP foretells for its fortunes.
Latinos Likely To Steer Clear Of Insurance Even Though Many Qualify For Subsidies
The Los Angeles Times reports that health officials in California are meeting immigration concerns head on with a new ad campaign. Meanwhile, the Detroit Free Press notes that the health law’s fines for businesses begin in 2015.
High Court To Hear Another Health Law Challenge – This One Focuses On Tax Subsidies
The high court’s announcement Friday that it would hear the case came as a surprise and puts at risk the overhaul’s central aim of extending health coverage to lower-income Americans who don’t qualify for Medicaid or have access to employer-sponsored coverage.
Md. Officials Cross Fingers That New Website Is Ready For Enrollment Challenge
Meanwhile, tabulating the total cost so far to operate Maryland’s online insurance marketplace is proving difficult. Also in the news, reports on enrollment and outreach efforts from Connecticut, Michigan and Washington state.
Consumers Can ‘Window Shop’ On Healthcare.gov Before Sign-Up Period Begins
HHS officials hope this function will help reduce strain on the federal website, which will launch Nov. 15 for the health law’s second open season.
First Edition: November 10, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
High Court To Hear Challenge To Health Law Subsidies
Supreme Court justices today agreed to hear a legal challenge regarding the use of the health law’s subsidies to purchase insurance on the federal insurance exchange.
