Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Highlights: Conn. Continued Medicaid Eligibility; N.Y. Single Payer Gets Hearing
A selection of health policy news stories from Iowa, North Carolina, New Mexico, Colorado, Pennsylvania and other states.
Lawmakers Ready Last-Minute Push To Prevent Veteran Suicides
With just days to go in the lame-duck session, House and Senate lawmakers will try to fast-track a bill aimed at reducing these deaths. Elsewhere, a VA system in Alabama continues to face long waits for mental health care.
Despite Doctor Shortages, Efforts Lag To Expand Rural Telemedicine
In the meantime, a new survey says many doctors are feeling the pinch of the health law on their time, and that it’s adding to a primary care shortage.
Paralegal Accuses Drugmaker Of Firing Her For Protesting Alleged Kickback Scheme
The former employee says Sanofi let her go after she raised questions about the company’s efforts to sell insulin medicines. Also in the news, a small Iowa insurance company accuses Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of anti-competitive behavior.
Senate Democrats Push For Health Care Tax Break For Laid-Off Workers
Republicans are also pushing a bill to give people with disabilities access to tax-free savings accounts.
GOP’s Cassidy Wins La. Senate Race And Vows To Take Aim At Health Law
Rep. Bill Cassidy, who defeated Sen. Mary Landrieu in a run-off election Saturday, is a doctor who first ran for office after becoming concerned about a breakdown in health care after Hurricane Katrina.
Exodus Of Democrats’ Health Care Crusaders In Congress
Politico looks at the generational upheaval among congressional Democrats as a new Republican Congress takes over in January. Other stories examine how the Health and Human Services Department has “entrepreneurs-in-residence” advising on health IT projects and how the working poor in North Carolina who rely on tips, commissions or jobs with variable hours can have a tough time predicting annual income to qualify for insurance subsidies.
Minn. Firm Gets Birth Control Mandate Exemption
Elsewhere, faith-based groups make the argument in federal court why they shouldn’t have to cover birth control in their health insurance plans — despite a health law compromise.
Calif. Wrestles With Medicaid Backlog; Penn. Expansion Plans In Flux
Tens of thousands of applicants are still awaiting their official Medicaid cards in California. In Pennsylvania, officials are set on Jan.1 to start a new program developed by the outgoing Republican administration, but the new Democratic governor says he wants to move to a more traditional expansion program.
Enrollment Snapshots From 3 States
State officials in Maryland, Oregon and Michigan offer progress reports on sign-ups through the insurance exchanges.
Gruber Alone At The Witness Table?
GOP lawmakers may be looking forward to Tuesday’s House Oversight Committee hearing because it offers them another chance to put the Obama administration on the spot regarding the health law. But the Department of Health and Human Services is making it clear that it would like some distance between senior Medicare officials and Jonathan Gruber.
Device Makers Experiment With Risk Contracts
Hospitals are pushing the manufacturers to begin to take on risk for products such as pacemakers and other implantable devices, reports Modern Healthcare. Other stories look at contractors seeking new health law business, how health care has delivered the strongest mutual fund performance of any sector over the past five years and how H&R Block is now bundling tax and health care services.
First Edition: December 8, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Schumer’s ‘Puzzling’ Comments; GOP Needs To Offer An Alternative Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Inaccessible Clinical Trials; Post-Acute Care; Elderly And Disabilities
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
State Highlights: 2015 Financial Outlook Is “Stable,” But Medicaid Could Cause Pressure
A selection of health policy stories from California, Florida and North Dakota. News outlets also examine how states are eyeing Medicaid “super-utilizers” to reduce costs and take a look at a state-by-state ranking of mental health services.
Va. To Revise Strict Abortion Clinic Rules
The decision by the state board of health was a victory for Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, who had campaigned on the promise that he would reverse regulations put in place during the administration of Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell. The process could take as long as two years.
Spending Bill Likely To Include Most Of Obama’s Request For Ebola-Fight Funding
Republican leaders are steering the measure toward a smoother path than last year’s effort, which led to a partial government shut-down.
Senate GOP Agenda On Health Law May Hinge On Supreme Court Decision
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who will lead the Senate, says getting the votes needed from Democrats to meet the GOP’s goal of repealing the law would be very difficult.
Minnesota Employer Gets Religious Exemption To Health Law’s Birth Control Mandate
American Manufacturing Co. won the exemption because its owner, Gregory Hall, is an ordained Catholic deacon in Texas. He fundamentally opposes the forms of birth control that are specified by the Affordable Care Act provision that requires this coverage.
