Latest KFF Health News Stories
Judge Blocks Government Effort To Bar Honeywell’s Wellness Program
A U.S. district judge in Minneapolis denied a request by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to prevent Honeywell from penalizing workers that opt out of the company’s corporate wellness program.
Aetna Shows Interest In Private Exchanges With Purchase Of Tech Company
The Associated Press reports that this segment of the employer-sponsored insurance market is relatively small but growing.
Officials Promise Colorado’s Health Exchange Will Be More User Friendly This Time
In other news, a “small subset” of Covered California enrollees has received multiple eligibility notices — some with conflicting information. And a health insurance recruiting project at California State University shows promising results.
Outcome Of Governors’ Races Key To Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion
Races in Maine, Georgia, Florida, Kansas and Wisconsin get close attention from expansion advocates. Meanwhile, safety net providers in Georgia are designing an experimental program to offer coverage to part of the expansion population without Obamacare funds.
News outlets cover a range of issues — from the specific benefits that health plans cover to premium changes that are in the works.
Bad News, Voter Anger Hang Over Midterm Elections
On Election Day, news outlets report on how the health law’s botched rollout as well as the Ebola scare are playing a role in voters’ moods and how Obamacare and other issues fit into the upcoming Senate agenda.
First Edition: November 4, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: States Shouldn’t Turn To Health Law Tactics; Changing The Assisted-Death Debate
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Mass. Gets $41B Deal With CMS; Huge Nursing Home Complaint Backlog In Calif.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Ohio, Massaschusetts, Oklahoma, Arizona and Kentucky.
Democratic Wins In Ga., Fla., Could Mean More Money For Hospital Chains
Bloomberg reports that an expanded Medicaid in these states would benefit hospitals. Elsewhere, abortion measures are on the ballot in North Dakota and Colorado.
Wrestling With Treatment Protocols, Estimating U.S. Ebola Cases
As American hospitals attempt to develop policies regarding the treatment of Ebola patients in an effort to avoid exposure of health care professionals, other medical experts are studying the spread of the illness to offer predictions about the number of U.S. cases that might occur. Meanwhile, news outlets also report on how the public is processing ongoing news about Ebola.
Medicare Sets 2015 Provider Rates, Weighs Payment For End-Of-Life Counseling
Federal officials also announced that Medicare will compensate doctors to coordinate care for those with multiple chronic health issues.
What’s Next For The Health Law If Republicans Claim Control Of The Senate?
News outlets analyze polls and campaign messages to predict mid-term congressional election outcomes but note that the health law does not seem to be a defining issue.
High Court Weighs Whether To Hear Health Law Challenge
This week, the Supreme Court is expected to announce whether it will hear another legal challenge to the health law, King v. Burwell, which could potentially roll back subsidized insurance in many states.
Tweaks To Small Business Exchange Still Underway
Administration officials say the website for small-business employees will be ready by Nov. 15. Meanwhile, healthcare.gov — the site for individual consumers — is expected to be more user-friendly this time round but will still have back-end issues making it difficult for insurance plans to get timely and complete information. And a Bankrate survey projects that half of Obamacare enrollees may not re-enroll.
First Edition: November 3, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Ebola Errors; McConnell’s Mixed Message; Shifts In Mental Health Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: The Effects Of ACOs; Declines In Medical Liability Payments
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
State Highlights: Ga. Official On Insurer’s Contract With Docs; Calif. Nursing Home Audit
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Montana, West Virginia and Louisiana.
Florida Medicaid Lawsuit Delayed Again
Medicaid lawsuits and settlements also make news in Kansas and Louisiana. In the meantime, a proposal in Alaska to limit Medicaid payments for physical, occupational and speech therapy draws protests.
