Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: A Sugar Cube Pyramid; The Suicide Checklist
Each week KHN finds interesting reads from around the web.
First Edition: August 14, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report about an uptick in VA referrals to private physicians.
Citizenship, Immigration Issues Threaten Health Coverage For 310,000 People
The federal government has mailed notification to the people in three dozen states. These people have until Sept. 5 to present green cards, citizenship documents or other information to prove their eligibility for health insurance purchased through the online insurance marketplace. If this deadline is missed, the coverage will end as of Sept. 30.
Study Finds Big Range In State Workers’ Health Costs
A first-of-its-kind study by two charitable organizations found that states paid nearly $31 billion on employee insurance last year – making it the second largest category of state health care spending after Medicaid. But the costs borne by state workers varied widely.
Actor’s Suicide Shows Complexities Of Depression And Its Treatment
The Washington Post looks at how Robin Williams’ death has reignited a national conversation about mental health issues and treatment, and whether public attitudes toward diagnosis and treatment are changing.
CEO Joseph Swedish said the change was motivated by the company’s belief that it was important to go with the name people know best — Anthem. It is happening at a time when, because of the health law and changes in how employers offer workers insurance, consumers increasingly shop for their own coverage.
World Health Organization Approves Use Of Experimental Ebola Treatment
The drugs have not yet been through FDA testing, but WHO says they can be used for “compassionate use” to help in the African outbreak. However, manufacturers may not have many supplies available.
Insurance Rate Hikes Could Be Issue In Key States
Although rate hikes average 7.5 percent nationally for the individual health insurance market, consumers in politically key states such as Florida and North Carolina may see higher increases– and insurers are partly blaming the administration’s decision to allow consumers to hold onto their old policies. Other stories look at the long-term challenges faced by for-profit hospitals and insurers under the health law and the tech issues plaguing the website designed to show how much drugmakers give to doctors.
Viewpoints: Medicaid’s Good Deal; Medicare Hospital Errors; CBO On Exchange Coverage
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: New Rules Could Disrupt Care For Disabled Kansans
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Georgia, Colorado, California and Texas.
First Edition: August 13, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that more than 300,000 people who obtained new insurance through the health law could lose it if they do not provide proof by Sept. 5 that their immigration or citizenship status makes them eligible for it.
Healthcare.gov Fixer Takes Top Spot Of New ‘U.S. Digital Service’
The White House says it wants to apply the approach that was used to resuscitate the federal online insurance marketplace after its disastrous launch to the government’s other troubled websites and computer systems.
Tax Day 2015 May Be Another Health Law Hurdle
Some consumers are likely to face headaches sorting through new IRS forms about their health insurance coverage and whether they might be exempt from penalties.
Screening Test For Colon Cancer Wins FDA Approval
The test, called Cologuard, can detect genetic mutations in patients’ stool samples that are associated with cancerous and precancerous growths.
If Senate Flips In November, Health Law Likely To Face More Challenges
The GOP plan includes a series of votes on legislation to roll back all or parts of the overhaul. Such measures would set up a face-off with President Barack Obama.
Average Obamacare Premium Increase Estimated At 7.5 Percent
The estimate was part of an analysis done by the Health Research Institute at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Meanwhile, a separate analysis, this one by Citigroup, offers details regarding what California consumers can expect regarding premiums for coverage purchased through the state’s exchange.
Retiree Health Fund Pushes Postal Service Into Red
Nearly all of the Postal Service’s products produced revenue increases, but the agency is in debt because of a congressional requirement that it pay about $5 billion into a future retiree health care fund.
Feds Say Texas Responsible For Unnecessary Medicaid Spending
Elsewhere, a report says Kansas improperly claimed $10.7 million in Medicaid reimbursements for school-based services.
A selection of health policy stories from Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia, Massachusetts and California.
Silicon Valley Startup Pitches Self-Insurance Software
Collective Health says it can help employers save money with software that helps them pay workers’ health costs directly. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Apple is preparing to roll out ‘HealthKit,’ a monitoring app, as part of the iPhone 6 this fall.
