Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Highlights: N.Y. Sues Drugmaker Over Alzheimer’s Drug Switch
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Arizona, Texas, California, Florida, Maine, Georgia and Oregon.
First Edition: September 16, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the number of people who will lose their new Obamacare insurance because they failed to prove they were U.S. citizens or legal immigrants who were eligible for coverage.
Advocates To Refine Health Enrollment Message
When sign-ups begin in November, advocates and those giving enrollment assistance will use lessons from last fall to help attract new customers and help those re-enrolling. Also, several news outlets look at the challenges for consumers.
Obamacare Boosts Bottom Lines Of Washington Hospitals
Hospitals attribute the 30 percent reduction in uncompensated care to the expansion of Medicaid and private coverage under the federal health law. Meanwhile, insurers are pushing back against a wave of hospital mergers nationwide.
Study: Subsidy Quirk Means Young People Pay More For Bronze Plans
How the government calculates insurance subsidies makes the cheapest bronze plans more costly for young people relative to those aged 54 to 64, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer. Meanwhile, Oregon budgets $2 million for a lawsuit fight with Oracle over its health insurance marketplace.
Can Cancer Early Detection Be A ‘Double-Edged Sword’?
The Wall Street Journal reports on an emerging discussion about cancer early detection and overdiagnosis.
Gilead To Boost Price Of New Hepatitis C Drug
Gilead Sciences says its next generation drug to combat hepatitis C, slated to launch next month, will be more expensive than $1,000-a-pill Sovaldi, in part because the new treatment will be shorter and simpler. Gilead also struck a deal with Indian generic drugmakers to sell lower-cost versions of Sovaldi in poor countries.
GOP Senate May Not Be Able To Repeal Health Law, But It Could Cripple Key Provisions
News outlets examine what the future could hold for the health law especially as the Senate increasingly appears to be within GOP reach.
Medicaid: 25 Ways States Game The System
The Department of Health and Human Services has identified the key problems the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services need to address to ensure that states pay their fair share of the state-federal low income insurance program.
Appeals Court Considers Texas Abortion Clinic Law
The law, which was ruled unconstitutional last month, would allow Texas to close more than half the state’s abortion facilities.
Health Clinics Getting New $295 Million For Primary Care Through Health Law
The money will go to expanding primary care services, as well as helping health centers stay open longer and provide expanded services not always available at the clinics across the United States.
State Highlights: Calif. Prop 45 Ad Truth Check; Medi-Cal Autism Coverage
A selection of health policy stories from Florida, California, Kansas, Illinois, Washington state and Minnesota.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: September 15, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the health law sales pitch is getting an overhaul in advance of the upcoming sign-up period as well as reports about complications that may occur during the open enrollment season.
State Decisions Impact How Residents Fare Under Obamacare
The report by a Yale University economist found it difficult to generalize about the health law’s impact because it varies greatly state by state.
Groups Get $3.2 Million To Enroll Minorities In Obamacare
Federal health officials award grants to 13 community organizations to sign up racial and ethnic minorities in health plans through online insurance marketplaces. Meanwhile, a group of South Florida hospitals raises money to help low-income patients pay their insurance premiums, and Massachusetts details plans to re-enroll 450,000 residents.
Health Value Of Apple’s Watch Questioned
Health care professionals say there is little evidence the new watch surpasses gadgets already on the market, although more health features may be in store, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, The Associated Press examines tensions between Silicon Valley tech giants and government regulators.
OTC Birth Control Issue Triggers Debate, Campaign Ads
Planned Parenthood Votes is stepping into the fray with new ads arguing that a policy now being embraced by some GOP candidates — over-the-counter availability of birth control pills — is more expensive for women.
State Highlights: Ga. Delays Nursing Home Rate Hike
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, California, Texas, Minnesota, Colorado, Ohio, New York, Illinois and Florida.
House Approves Bill To Extend Some Plans That Don’t Meet Health Law Standards
The legislation would allow people to use the once-canceled policies through 2018. However, the measure is not expected to get a vote in the Senate.
