Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Highlights: Kan. Employment Support For Those With Mental Illness
A selection of health policy stories from California, Kansas, Washington state and Maryland.
Va. Legislators Return To Bitter Medicaid Expansion Debate, Kill Plan Without Formal Vote
Elsewhere, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert may be gaining ground in Washington with the state’s alternative Medicaid expansion plan, but the concept still faces opposition at home.
Viewpoints: Ezekiel Emanuel’s Choice Of An Age To Die; New Enrollment Numbers Still Confusing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: September 19, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports from a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform where the Obama administration provided its latest number — 7.3 million — of people who bought private insurance through the health law.
Expert Panel: End-Of-Life Care In U.S. Needs Improvement
The 21-member Institute of Medicine panel concluded in its new report that incentives exist within the health system that often run contrary to dying patients’ wishes. More conversations and planning are among the recommendations.
Competition Among Health Exchange Plans Curbing Prices, Says Humana Exec
Also in the news, data from Connecticut’s exchange shows who purchased new coverage and if they have used it, and more on the staggered launch planned for Maryland’s online marketplace.
FTC Wary Of Growing Number Of Hospital Mergers
The agency is “raising a lonely but powerful voice” against the trend, The New York Times reports. Also in the news are reports about a big insurer and seven hospital groups creating a new health system in the Los Angeles area and the shift from doctors’ offices to retail outlets for vaccinations.
Medi-Cal Patients, Advocates Sue Calif. Over Application Wait
The lawsuit alleges that hundreds of thousands of people are going without health care as a result.
After Health Stock Scandal, Lawmakers Plan Bill Regulating ‘Political Intelligence’
Elsewhere, advocates for the Children’s Health Insurance Program express optimism that the program will be renewed, and scrutiny of the VA continues.
Census Shows Health Insurance Coverage Winners, Losers
Among the 25 biggest cities, uninsured rates last year ranged from almost 25 percent in Miami and 23 percent in Houston to just more than 4 percent in Boston and 7.5 percent in Pittsburgh, according to Census data.
Virginia Lawmakers Expected To Return To Debate Over Medicaid Expansion
The topic will come up during a special session of the Virginia House of Delegates, which is dominated by Republican lawmakers who are on record opposing the approach. A poll released Wednesday, however, found the majority of Virginians support the expansion.
Viewpoints: Many Beneficiaries Of Health Law Don’t Vote; Reboot For Healthcare.gov
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
States’ Customized Efforts To Expand Medicaid Could Complicate Reform
Some conservative states have won concessions from the administration in exchange for moving forward on expansion, and other states are carefully weighing those choices.
State Highlights: L.A.’s New Mental Health Program; N.Y. Nurses Push For More Staff
A selection of health policy stories from California, North Carolina, New York and Texas.
Many See Health Law Coverage As Affordable, Survey Finds
That’s most true among low-income consumers who receive subsidies to help pay their premiums, according to the Commonwealth Fund survey.
Health Law’s Ripple Effects On Hospitals, Schools, Uninsured
The Kansas City Star reports that some uninsured patients fall through the cracks as hospitals cut back on charity care to persuade people to sign up for coverage. Some schools, meanwhile, are turning to private substitutes to avoid having to pay for their health coverage next year. In Colorado, Denver Health is back in the black, partly due to a dramatic decrease in uninsured patients.
Longer Looks: Lithium In The Water; Controlling Cancer; Recovering From Brain Injury
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
First Edition: September 18, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details of a report by the Institute of Medicine on how end-of-life care should be overhauled.
GAO Warns of Security Risks In Healthcare.gov
Despite improvements, the federal health insurance website has continuing security holes that put consumers’ personal information at risk, the nonpartisan watchdog agency said in a report Tuesday.
Exchange News: Md. To Stagger Rollout; Vt. Temporarily Shuts Website
Maryland officials are planning a gradual rollout of the state’s health insurance website to avoid problems, and Vermont officials cite security concerns as part of the reason for taking down Health Connect. Developments in Minnesota, Connecticut and Oregon are also covered.
