Latest KFF Health News Stories
Some State Marketplaces That Had Problems With Sign-Ups Last Year Show Progress
While Maryland and Minnesota report some improvements, officials in Washington state are still holding hearings about issues left over from the 2014 enrollment.
First Edition: November 20, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
State Highlights: Medicaid Rule Could Hurt Nursing Home Alternatives; Tenn. Lowers Uninsured Rate
A selection of health policy stories from Tennessee, Arizona, California, Hawaii, North Carolina, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota and Kansas.
Two Major Calif. Insurers Overstate Doctor Networks, Regulators Say
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Cross Blue Shield of California may have violated state law if it listed physicians in online directories that were no longer taking Covered California patients.
Care For 2 U.S. Ebola Patients Costs More Than $1 Million
And Americans say that the disease is a top priority to them, a Gallup polls suggests.
New Allegations Of VA Wrongdoing At Minn. Clinic
Elsewhere Veterans Affairs officials start the second phase of their attempt at reforming the system — including helping vets waiting for care know where they stand with “choice cards.”
Group Advising Congress Seeks End Of Medicare’s ‘Two-Midnight’ Rule
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MedPAC, is looking at ways to get rid of Medicare’s “two-midnight” rule by eliminating the category of observation status at hospitals. Meanwhile, patient groups join regulators in advocating for greater federal oversight of certain diagnostic tests.
Patient Group’s Success Developing Drugs Earns Kudos, Criticism
About 15 years ago, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation began investing in a biotechnology firm to develop drugs to treat the lung disease. That funding has produced new drugs, but their price tags have spurred criticism of the group, reports The New York Times. Meanwhile, the FDA delays a rule for updating generic drug labeling.
Feds: Employers Cannot Give Workers Stipends To Shop On Government Exchanges
The Labor Department warns businesses against giving workers money to buy individual insurance policies in government-run exchanges. Other stories look at the cost of such policies and also advise workers with employer-sponsored coverage what issues to consider during their annual open enrollment.
White House Stresses That Gruber’s Role Was Limited
Meanwhile, as controversy continues about the former adviser’s remarks about the strategy for pushing through the law, several outlets examine his comments in relation to the tax on Cadillac plans.
House GOP Hires Jonathan Turley To Sue Obama
The choice of Turley, who says he voted for President Barack Obama in 2008, comes after two law firms backed out of earlier commitments to represent the Republicans.
Even As President Pitches Health Law’s Positives, New Implementation Problems Emerge
For instance, CQ Healthbeat reports on some of the challenges faced by people who bought exchange plans last year and were then offered employer coverage, too. Meanwhile, a provision of the overhaul is pinching retired cops in Dallas.
Idaho Medicaid Expansion Advocates Tweak Plan In Effort To Gain Lawmaker Support
Elsewhere, Missouri veterans groups are joining a push for an expansion of the low-income health insurance program even though its prospects are dim. And, in North Carolina, a key legislator raises questions about any efforts to expand the program.
What’s Working And What Isn’t: A Progress Report On State Exchanges
States are reporting varying degrees of success. Kentucky’s Kynect is viewed as a model, while news outlets in Maryland and Washington report on what’s been improved over last year and what remains a trouble spot. Also in the news, states made a final run at federal grants to help them set up their own marketplaces. And, in Illinois, state lawmakers are facing one more chance to establish their own exchange.
Immigrants, Others, Still Struggle With Healthcare.gov
Despite a smoother start to this year’s open enrollment, immigrants report there is no clear way to upload copies of their green cards to show they are legal residents, while others have trouble with sign-ins and passwords.
First Edition: November 19, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ACA Obstacles And Reality Checks; Impolitic Comments, Transparency And IPAB
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Kaiser Permanente, Target Set Up Clinics; Mass. Town Irate About Smoking Plan
A selection of health policy stories from California, Kansas, Arizona, Massachusetts, New York and Iowa.
Court System Set Up To Help Families Hurt By Vaccines Is Clogged
An Associated Press analysis finds the efforts are not working and instead have “heaped additional suffering” on families.
