Latest KFF Health News Stories
Oregon Sues Oracle Over Failed Website
Oregon filed its long-anticipated lawsuit against Oracle America and the company’s top executives, blaming them for the state’s non-functioning health insurance exchange and saying they lied, breached contracts and engaged in “a pattern of racketeering activity.”
First Edition: August 25, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations include reports on Medicare ratings of nursing homes, the growing demand for home-health aides and accounts of the Obama administration’s new contraception coverage rules.
Religious Employers Are Offered Fix On Birth Control Coverage
News outlets report that the regulations, expected to be published later today, will allow religious nonprofits — and perhaps later religious business owners — to notify the government that they object to providing contraception coverage. Federal officials would then arrange for the workers’ insurance.
Parsing The Mixed Messages Regarding Health Plan Costs
The Huffington Post breaks down the good and bad news surrounding what people may pay next year for coverage in the wake of the health law. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare takes a look at how the Obama administration decision to let people keep health coverage that didn’t comply with the overhaul’s standards is impacting premium rates.
Some Embattled Democrats Embracing Obamacare
News outlets look at Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor’s promotion of the health law in a campaign ad as a sign the law may be less radioactive. Meanwhile, Politico notes that 30 of the 34 House Democrats who voted against the law are no longer in office as the partisanship that it engendered grows.
State Highlights: Only 1/3 Chose Medicaid Plan In Fla.; Calif. Prop 46 Money
A selection of health policy stories from Florida, Oregon, California, New York, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey.
Seniors Are Less Able To Afford Prescriptions, Study Finds
In its first few years, Medicare’s Part D prescription drug program helped seniors pay for their medications, but that trend appears to be reversing, researchers found. Meanwhile, drugmakers fight over the rules for naming cheaper versions of biologic drugs.
Patient Deaths Raise Questions About Lethal Doses In Hospice
The Washington Post examines the deaths of some hospice patients who were not close to death but who received large doses of powerful pain-killers.
Viewpoints: Employers And Health Benefits; Sen. Pryor’s ACA Endorsement; Waging War On Hep C
A selection of editorials and opinions about health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Surgical Site Infections; Medicare Drug Plans
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
First Edition: August 22, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of issues related to hospice care.
Texas Faces Barriers To Signing Immigrants Up For Coverage
Outreach is also proving a big barrier to signing Latinos up for health insurance in California, many say.
Special Election Secures GOP Control Of Va. Legislature
The results are expected to hamper efforts by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to expand Medicaid.
Sen. Pryor Debuts Campaign Ad Embracing Health Law Provisions
The Arkansas Democrat, who is in a tough reelection fight, talked about his own struggle with cancer and how the health law provisions that prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage to people with medical problems could have helped him.
Handicapping How ‘Obamacare,’ Other Health Issues Play Into Campaigns
The New York Times examines how the outcome of midterm elections and subsequent efforts to replace parts of the health law could factor into the presidential campaign landscape. Meanwhile, a recent poll notes that small business owners are less concerned about the health law than previously.
Lawsuit Challenges Employer Wellness Program
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission brought a lawsuit on behalf of a former employee of Orion Energy Systems, based in Manitowoc, Wis., saying she was punished and then fired for refusing to participate in a company wellness program. Another story looks at how companies are buying or subsidizing fitness-tracking devices to encourage employees to be more fit.
Poll: Californians Support Stronger Regulation Of Insurance Rates
The ballot initiative, which will likely be the subject of a costly campaign battle, is championed by consumer groups but opposed by many in the medical and insurance industries.
State Highlights: Ill. Plans Medicaid Contraception Boost; Minn. Union Vote
A selection of health policy stories from California, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
How Chinese Hackers Stole Patient Data
The hackers exploited ‘Heartbleed’ — a hole in widely used data-protection technology — to steal data on 4.5 million patients of Community Health Systems, according to Bloomberg News. Another report looks at why your medical information might be vulnerable.
Viewpoints: ‘Raw Judicial Politics’ On Health Law; Texas Abortion Trial; Suicide And Gender
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
