Latest KFF Health News Stories
Underinsured Enrollees Flood Community Health Centers
Some low-income consumers who bought bronze plans with low premiums but high deductibles are discovering they still can’t afford health care and are turning to the community health centers, which cannot turn anyone away. Meanwhile, a study finds insurance costs for small businesses are lower through the SHOP exchanges, and South Dakota lifts a $2M cap on employees’ lifetime health costs.
Medicaid Expansion Concept Gains Momentum In Initially Reluctant States
Reuters reports that this development has to do with financial pragmatism — especially in GOP-led states that were at the forefront of opposition to the health law. The Associated Press provides a status check on Indiana’s expansion request.
Many Gay, Bisexual Men Complacent About HIV Testing
Gay and bisexual men say HIV is the No. 1 health issue facing their community, but just 30 percent say they were tested for the virus within the last year as recommended. Another 30 percent say they have never been tested, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Texas Rep. Brady Ready To Brawl For Ways & Means Top Spot
Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, announced he will seek the chairmanship of this powerful House panel. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., was expected to have a smooth path to that position.
Colorado Projects 30 Percent Enrollment Attrition
Meanwhile, a new judge is assigned to hear Oregon’s lawsuit against Oracle after the first one withdraws from the case.
Chicago Retirees Ask For Health Care Cost-Sharing Reprieve
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to save the city $108.7 million per year by making retired city workers pay up to 79 percent more for coverage. Elsewhere, Louisiana’s employee health program faces dwindling funds amid a bid by Gov. Bobby Jindal to make big changes.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Indiana, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Four More Hospital Systems Quit ACO Program
Three years after the Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services selected 32 groups to participate in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization Model program, they are down to 19 players. Officials say that navigating the program’s rules has proved challenging.
Viewpoints: ‘Feud’ Over Health Care Compact; Humane End-Of-Life Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: September 26, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of political and health policy stories.
HHS: Health Law Brings Down Hospitals’ Uncompensated Care Costs
The Obama administration released a report Wednesday projecting that hospitals will save $5.7 billion in uncompensated care costs this year as previously uninsured patients gain coverage through the health law. Most of the savings are in states that expanded their Medicaid programs.
White House ‘Reassessing’ 2015 Enrollment Goals; Major Coverage Gains Made Among Latinos
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said Wednesday that the health law’s insurance programs have reduced the nation’s overall uninsured population by 26 percent.
Drug Firms Shift Sales Calls From Doctors To Administrators Controlling Hospital Formularies
Since many hospitals now work to help keep costs down by watching what drugs are used, pharmaceutical representatives must include administrators in their sales pitches. Also in the news, new concerns about the government’s plan to open a database next week on drug makers’ payments to doctors.
Some Small Businesses Help Workers Buy Individual Coverage
The Associated Press examines health insurance costs from different perspectives — that of a small businessman who provides workers with additional compensation to purchase their own coverage, rather than offering a company health plan, and that of a middle-class family facing mounting financial pressure which includes health premiums.
Failure of Health IT Systems Hinders ACO Cost Savings
The inability of health IT systems to communicate with one another has hobbled the efforts of ACOs to improve care and save money, says a report by Premier Inc. and eHealth Initiative. Meanwhile, a health care executive tells why her organization quit the Pioneer ACO program, and New York’s Mount Sinai urges a judge to dismiss a lawsuit tied to a rule requiring providers to return government overpayments within 60 days.
Study: Healthcare.Gov Costs Top $2B
The finding by a Bloomberg Government analysis exceeds the cost estimates provided by the Obama administration. Meanwhile, an administration official says efforts are “continuing, step by step” to improve the health insurance website, but also steers clear of specific pledges.
State Highlights: N.C. Lawmakers Still Talking About Medicaid Revamp
A selection of health policy stories from North Carolina, Louisiana, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, New York, Maryland and Colorado.
Viewpoints: New Insurers Suggest Health Law Success; Slow Response On Ebola
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: ACOs And Job Shifts; Abortion’s Racial Gap; Having A Stroke At 33
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
First Edition: September 25, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of an Obama administration report projecting that hospitals will save billions of dollars this year as previously uninsured patients gain coverage through the health law.
