Latest KFF Health News Stories
Colorado University To Limit Student Work Hours — Partly To Ease Health Law Coverage Requirements
Elsewhere, one woman’s story of why getting coverage is important.
First Edition: October 15, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest news regarding the second Dallas health worker diagnosed with Ebola and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s strategy to deal with the threat.
Revamped Healthcare.gov Will Deal With New Complications
The Associated Press reports on how the updated website, which has been overhauled in anticipation of the upcoming second enrollment season, compares with last year’s version. Meanwhile, investigations continue regarding Covered California’s no-bid contracts.
Medicaid Expansion Plans, Debates Continue To Roil GOP Officials, Cause Concern For Hospital Execs
News outlets offer updates regarding Medicaid expansion efforts in Indiana and Ohio.
State Highlights: Supreme Court To Hear N.C. Scope-Of-Practice Case
A selection of health policy stories from North Carolina, Alaska, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico and North Dakota.
In Md. Gubernatorial Debate, Democrat Defends His Role In Botched Health Marketplace
Anthony Brown, the state’s lieutenant governor who oversaw the development of the state’s online insurance marketplace, acknowledges the technical problems but points to tens of thousands of Marylanders who now have health insurance.
Viewpoints: Health Law Opposition Not Propelling GOP; Keep Politics Out Of The Fight Against Ebola
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
CDC Re-Evaluating Safety Procedures After Nurse Contracts Ebola
Thomas Frieden, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announces that the agency will look again at the protocols for hospitals to see if more training or equipment is necessary to protect health care workers and the public.
McConnell’s Mixed Message On Kynect, The State’s Health Exchange
During a debate last night with Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the state’s online insurance marketplace could stay but the Affordable Care Act should be repealed. In addition, news outlets report on Senate races in Arkansas and South Dakota.
A poll by The Associated Press/NORC Center for Public Affairs Research explores American’s thoughts about health insurance, peace of mind and whether the health law is keeping costs down. Meanwhile, Politico explores the GOP’s chances for repeal.
First Edition: October 14, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports from various campaign-trail debates in which the health law played a role.
Medicare Advantage Plans Marked By Shortcomings
The New York Times reports that these problem areas include rejection of claims for medical services and limits on prescription drug coverage. News outlets also report on ACOs grades and Medicare Advantage rate shifts.
Previewing The Upcoming Enrollment Season: What Might Be New In 2015
The health law’s open enrollment period begins Nov. 15. Already, the Obama administration appears to have learned some lessons from last year’s experiences.
Medicaid Backlogs Persist, Raising Concerns As Enrollment Season Nears
The Wall Street Journal reports that hundreds of thousands of people still don’t officially have the Medicaid coverage they signed up for. Some of them began the process in late 2013. In other Medicaid news, debate in Mississippi continues regarding whether the state should pursue the expansion of the health insurance program for low-income and disabled people.
Opponents Attempt To Outlaw Abortion State-By-State
Also, ProPublica looks at how “personhood” movements could dismantle the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision upholding the legality of abortion.
Nursing Home Chain Agrees To Pay $38M To Settle Government Poor Care Claims
Extendicare, which owns 150 nursing homes in 11 states and denied any wrongdoing, was accused of inappropriate billing and providing inadequate care.
Texas Health Worker Contracts Ebola, Fueling Training, Preparedness Questions
The case, the first in which the disease was transmitted in the U.S., raises questions about whether regular hospitals around the country are ready to safely deal with the virus.
FDA Approves New Hepatitis C Drug, Harvoni
Insurers and patients are decrying the cost for the new drug, nearly $95,000 for a 12-week course of treatment, which is more expensive than Gilead’s other hepatitis C drug, Sovaldi. But unlike some hepatitis C treatments, Harvoni can be taken without injections usually given to hepatitis C patients.
Coverage Issue: Steep Rx Costs; Fed Plan Eliminates ‘Transgender Exclusion’
Even patients with insurance are finding that specialty drugs can quickly eat a hole in their wallets because insurers are often putting them in a special tier and demanding high consumer co-payments. Also, the State Department is getting rid of the “transgender exclusion” in it largest health plan, and some consumer advocates are suggesting that people getting coverage on the health marketplaces be allowed to get “wrap-around” plans through their employers.
Fla.’s Gubernatorial Candidates At Odds Over Medicaid Expansion
Charlie Crist, the Republican-turned-Democrat, says he will consider using an executive order to expand the program for low-income Floridians.
