Latest KFF Health News Stories
Scrutiny Grows On MNsure’s Planned Rate Increases
Elsewhere, Connecticut’s plan options are examined, and the North Carolina Blues plan a 13.5 percent rate hike for its marketplace plans.
Tillis Shakes Up N.C. Senate Race With Change Of Position On Medicaid
News outlets also analyze how health issues are playing out in other Senate races.
First Edition: October 24, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: CDC Ebola Plan Better Than Travel Ban; Health Care Law Is ‘Election Albatross’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Doctors Still Profit From Medicare Referrals Despite Law
A federal law since the 1990s has prohibited “self-referral,” in which doctors profit from Medicare-reimbursed procedures they order. But many physician groups have found ways to do it anyway, exploiting a loophole to the law in ways its writers didn’t anticipate, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Rules On Marketplace Forms May Put Immigrants At Disadvantage
The Associated Press reports that immigrants and naturalized citizens will not be allowed to use the new EZ application for healthcare.gov. Other outlets report on enrollment efforts in North Carolina, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Michigan.
What A GOP Senate Could Mean For The Health Law
Under the assumption that Republicans will win control of both houses of Congress, economists weigh in on Republican budget plans, which did not include repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
Health Law Foes Build Subsidy Challenge
Using blog posts, conferences and subpoenas, the Cato Institute and others are ramping up efforts to persuade the Supreme Court to hear a lawsuit challenging subsidies for Americans who purchase health coverage in federal, as opposed to state-run, insurance marketplaces. Other stories look at the role of federally qualified health centers and who should get the credit for the slowed growth of Medicare costs.
Ebola Causes Revenue Drop At Texas Presbyterian Hospital
As President Obama reassured the public, the hospital’s parent corporation, Texas Health Resources, said most of the revenue decline came from the ER.
Calif. State Ballot Initiatives Prove To Be Political Flashpoints
Also, in North Dakota, voters will consider a “personhood” ballot measure that could have significant repercussions for health care in the states; and, in New Hampshire, Medicaid expansion is becoming a big issue in the state’s gubernatorial contest.
State Highlights: Calif. Official Protests Rate Hike; Baltimore Cancels Medicare Drug Payments
News outlets report on health care developments in California, Georgia, Maryland and Nebraska.
First Edition: October 23, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Report: Wide Variation In State Exchange Plans’ Covered Benefits
University of Pennsylvania researchers find variations are significant. Other news about the online health marketplaces that open next month include Oregon’s decision to ditch the old system for Medicaid enrollment, a review of navigators’ roles in Georgia, and Maryland officials’ assurances that their system will be ready.
Employers Devise Strategies To Avoid Obamacare Fines
With large companies facing potential fines next year for not offering health insurance, some are looking at approaches such as enrolling employees in Medicaid, reports The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, the federal government posts a notice Tuesday saying that it will continue to fund an optional health insurance program for the working poor in 2016.
State Highlights: Health Care Takes Center Stage In Debates In Maine, Arizona, Missouri
A selection of health policy stories from Maine, Arizona, Missouri, Oregon, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kentucky and Connecticut.
Coburn Issues ‘Wastebook’ That Includes ‘Unnecessary’ Spending At NIH
Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn’s list includes various programs that continue to receive funding even as National Institutes of Health officials express concern about the slowing of disease research.
Poll: Most Likely Voters Expect The GOP To Win Control Of Senate
Health care continues to be a big issue, though not as important as the economy.
Public Worries About Ebola Increase Faster Than Cases
A Pew Research Center survey finds 41 percent of Americans say they worry they or someone in their families will be “exposed” to the Ebola virus, up from 32 percent two weeks ago. Public confidence in the government’s ability to combat the disease has also dropped, finds a Gallup poll. Meanwhile, GOP doctors in the House of Representatives seek a temporary travel ban for West African countries affected by Ebola.
Hospitals’ Purchase Of Doctors’ Practices Boosts Costs, Study Finds
Hospital ownership of physician groups increased patient care costs by as much as 20 percent, according to the UC Berkeley study. Meanwhile, another study by Harvard researchers finds that switching to for-profit status may boost hospitals’ financial health but has no effect on quality of care.
Kasich’s Public Medicaid Expansion Fracas Moves Into Its Second Day
The Ohio governor is engaged in a spat with The Associated Press after the news outlet published comments in which he said he didn’t think the health law would be repealed. He has since offered further explanation, saying that he doesn’t think the Medicaid expansion — which he views as separate from the overhaul — should be undone.
