Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lilly CEO Explains Drug Maker’s ‘Toughest Year’
In other drug industry news, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services makes improvements in the new doctor payment website.
Long-Term Care Costs Weigh Heavily On Middle-Class Families
CBS News reports that for many seniors and their families, home care needs create a serious financial bind.
How The Health Law’s Second Enrollment Season Could Impact Key Senate Races
Politico reports that two closely watched Senate contests — those of Georgia and Louisiana — could be decided by runoff elections that would take place in December. Healthcare.gov glitches could color voters’ choices. News outlets also report on how Obamacare could play a role in election outcomes in states such as Colorado and Minnesota.
Utah Supporters Of Medicaid Expansion Hold Rally
About 100 people rallied in Salt Lake City to urge state lawmakers to pass Gov. Gary Herbert’s Medicaid expansion plan. Meanwhile, health insurance rates in Wisconsin keep pace or decline, Maryland delays efforts to recover the cost of its failed exchange, and a co-op pulls out of Iowa’s Medicaid marketplace.
Renewal Wrinkles, High Deductibles And Decisions For Employers: Implementation Issues Grab Headlines
News outlets report on a range of health law implementation issues that are causing challenges for consumers, employers and Obamacare advocates.
Views On Ebola: Blame Misplaced; Conspiracy Theories Abound; ‘Nasty’ Politicization
News outlets around the country weigh in with opinions about the efforts to control Ebola in the United States.
Viewpoints: Health Law Fails To Control Costs; GOP Alternative ‘Worse Than Obamacare’
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: October 20, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of stories about the continuing national response to Ebola and the potential impact that fears of this illness might have on the midterm elections.
Politics Swirl Around President’s Ebola ‘Czar’ Pick
Ron Klain, former vice-presidential adviser, is tasked with coordinating federal efforts.
CDC, Obama Under Fire For Ebola Containment Policies
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chief Thomas Frieden faced criticism Thursday on Capitol Hill over handling of the Dallas Ebola cases. Meanwhile, the White House is feeling pressure to name an “Ebola czar” to coordinate the nation’s response. Also, the idea of imposing travel restrictions is gaining momentum, while Ebola is also becoming a political flashpoint.
Poll: Misconceptions, Confusion Surround Public Understanding Of Ebola’s Spread
The survey, which was conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, found that 70 percent of U.S. adults say they are following news reports closely about the deadly virus. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)
UnitedHealth Is Bullish About Health Exchanges
During a conference call with investors Thursday, company executives suggested the online marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act could generate profit margins in the range of 3 to 5 percent. The company wasn’t a major player this year, but plans to participate in two dozen states in 2015.
VA Officials Leaving Jobs After Scandal
In Chicago, for instance, a Chicago-based regional chief for some VA hospitals stepped down earlier in October, around the same time as some other top officials.
A selection of editorials and opinions exploring issues related to Ebola.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Calif.’s Prop. 45 Fight; Aetna Sheds Jobs After Medicaid Drop
A selection of health policy stories from California, North Carolina, Delaware, New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida and Kansas.
Demographics Help Shape Lawmakers’ Views On Health Law
Most of the congressional districts with the greatest numbers of uninsured people are represented by Democrats, according to The Associated Press. News outlets also report on how Georgia’s gubernatorial candidates and North Dakota’s congressional candidates differ on the health law.
State Exchanges Gird For Round Two
Covered California hopes to enroll more than half a million new residents this year, bringing total participants to about 1.7 million. Meanwhile, more than 12,000 Oregonians could owe money at tax time because of errors computing their premium subsidies, and a study of Colorado residents finds that insurance costs and signup confusion kept many on the sidelines.
Research Roundup: Malpractice Reforms And Doctors’ Practice
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
First Edition: October 17, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of the Ebola response by public health officials and President Barack Obama as well as the related policies being debated and discussed by lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
