Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: August 29, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Obama administration and Pennsylvania reaching an agreement to expand Medicaid in that state.
Health Law Provision Seeks To Rein In Executive Compensation At Insurance Companies
News outlets report that this little-noticed provision puts in place stricter limits regarding the amount companies can deduct from their federal tax bills. Also in the news, The Associated Press reports on ways health plans discourage sick people from enrolling and The New York Times examines the health law’s efforts to expand mental health coverage.
Consumers Unable To Update Healthcare.gov Data With Deadline Looming
Hundreds of thousands of people risk losing subsidized health insurance if they don’t resubmit immigration information by the end of next week, but many have been unable to comply because of glitches with healthcare.gov. Other stories look at the millions spent on healthcare.gov and at exchange developments in Connecticut, Oregon and Washington.
CBO: Smaller Deficits Projected As Medicare And Medicaid Spending Declines Slightly
In the Congressional Budget Office’s latest forecast, reduced costs for medical services and labor have trimmed the 10-year projected cost of Medicare and Medicaid by $89 billion.
A selection of health policy stories from Colorado, Minnesota, Georgia, Virginia, California, New York, Michigan and Tennessee.
Pennsylvania Officials Say Medicaid Expansion Talks Are In Final Stage
But the state offered few details about where the negotiations with the federal government are heading. Also in news about changes from the health law in the states, the Arizona Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal of a case that could unravel that state’s Medicaid expansion.
Obama’s Plans For Vets Include Development Of Computer Chips To Stop Pain
The novel effort will be spearheaded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Also, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., tells an American Legion convention that Congress will continue to revamp the VA.
Viewpoints: Medicare No Longer ‘Busting’ The Budget; A ‘Nightmare’ Trying To Get Coverage In D.C.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: A New Kind Of Abortion War; Foster Kids And Psychotropic Drugs
Each week KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
First Edition: August 28, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Congressional Budget Office’s latest projections regarding Medicare and Medicaid spending.
Conn. Exchange Chief To Run Healthcare.gov
Federal officials tap Kevin Counihan, who helped launch Connecticut’s successful online health insurance marketplace, to oversee the federal exchange, which is used by residents of three dozen states, and to prevent the problems that plagued it last fall.
Federal Investigators Request Firms’ Documents On Troubled Md. Exchange
The head of Noridian Healthcare Solutions says the HHS inspector general’s office sought documents related to the company’s work on Maryland’s online health insurance marketplace.
Open Payments Website Plagued By Delays, Difficulties
The site, which is supposed to make transparent payments between drugmakers and physicians, is slated to go public by Sept. 30. But as the deadline nears, the pharmaceutical industry is pressing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to be more transparent in explaining what’s going on with the database.
Futile Medical Care Crowds Out Other Patients
Also, one insurer and one business have end-of-life conversations with patients by phone.
Exchange Roundup: 2,000 Oregonians Must Switch Plans; Georgia Medicaid Applicants Still In Limbo
Media outlets cover exchange and Medicaid developments in Oregon, Georgia and Florida.
Nonprofit Hospitals’ Financial Woes Detailed In Report By Moody’s
Income for these hospitals declines as the government and insurers change the way they pay them.
Obama Vows Better Health Care, Other Initiatives, For Vets, Military
Addressing the American Legion’s national convention, the president announced steps to expand access to mental health care and an initiative to lower home loan costs for military families. He also promised a new “culture of accountability’ at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
State Highlights: Calif. Hospital Chain Sues Union; Texas Sues Xerox Again
A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Colorado.
Ariz. GOP Primary For Governor Won By Treasurer
Doug Ducey defeated former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. Smith had the backing of Gov. Jan Brewer after supporting her Medicaid expansion proposal. Also, other Arizona Republicans who backed the Medicaid expansion there withstand challenges from more conservative candidates. Elsewhere, former GOP Florida Gov. Charlie Crist won a Democratic primary to challenge Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
Minn. Home Health Care Workers Vote To Unionize
The Service Employees International Union will represent about 27,000 home health care workers — many of whom care for relatives — who are paid through Medicaid.
