Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Wrestle With Medicaid Expansion Challenges
Application backlogs are an issue in Missouri and South Carolina. In Florida, a medical association makes clear its support for expanding the low-income health insurance program, and in Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal carves out a limited exception to his opposition to expanding Medicaid.
Aetna Quarterly Profits Up Amid Record Membership And Revenue
The insurer’s bottom line was helped by its acquisition of Coventry Health Care. Meanwhile, HealthSouth reported that its second-quarter profits were cut nearly in half.
State Highlights: Calif. Insurance Commissioner Asks For Premium Power
A selection of health policy stories from California, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, New Mexico, Kansas and New York.
Consumers Who Receive Insurance Subsidies Will Be Asked To Verify Income, Other Information
Meanwhile, news outlets report the latest on health exchanges in New Mexico, Oregon, Minnesota and Illinois.
Viewpoints: Medicare’s Future Finances; ‘Promising Deal’ On VA; Texas ‘War On Abortion’
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of the latest Medicare trustee report and the details of the veterans care legislation on Capitol Hill.
Trustees Project An Additional 4 Years Of Solvency For Medicare
Report by the trustees for Medicare and Social Security estimates the health insurance system for seniors will remain solvent until 2030.
Deal Said To Address VA’s Short- And Long-Term Needs
Negotiators on Sunday reported reaching an agreement, which is expected to authorize billions of dollars in emergency spending to bring more physicians, nurses and clinic sites to the Veterans Affairs system. Legislation is to be unveiled today. Lawmakers have only about five working days before the August break to finalize the agreement.
Plan Renewals, Narrow Networks Draw Scrutiny
Some industry officials say the automatic renewal of some health law insurance plans could have a negative impact on the financial aid that consumers receive. Meanwhile, narrow networks continue to be the subject of backlash.
States Explore Strategies To Protect Exchanges, Subsidies From Court Decisions
News outlets report that states are working hard to demonstrate that they are now or will soon be operating their own online insurance marketplaces. Meanwhile, states are pushing for more time and support from the federal government for exchange planning and construction.
Medicare Turns Up Heat On Fraud Investigations
One U.S. attorney in South Dakota says such cases will be one of the fastest-growing areas of criminal investigations, while some providers are crying foul.
New Wave Of Patients Boosting Hospital Earnings
Earnings reports offered last week by two hospital operators offer evidence that the health law’s coverage expansion is leading more patients to seek treatment.
Ga. Working Through Medicaid Application Backlog After Federal Scrutiny
In the meantime, some in Alabama say no Medicaid expansion there is hurting economic development in rural parts of the state.
Hardship Exemptions Allow Some To Continue To Buy Coverage On Health Law’s Marketplaces
Elsewhere, the San Jose Mercury News examines who can opt out of the health law’s mandate to have insurance on religious grounds.
Health Law Playing Key Role In Virginia Politics
News outlets examine how the overhaul is factoring into the state’s Senate race and changing the political landscape.
State Highlights: Va. Lt. Gov. Juggles Politics And Pediatrics
A selection of health policy news from Virginia, Maryland, Florida, New York, Wisconsin, Washington state, New Jersey and Kansas.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Tape Recording Reveals Health Subsidy ‘Gotcha Moment’ For Health Law Architect
Tape-recorded comments made by MIT economist Jonathan Gruber in 2012 are being used by backers of the latest legal challenge to the health law to support the argument that the overhaul’s subsidies were not intended to be used by consumers shopping for coverage on the federal exchange.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the deal reached by House and Senate negotiators regarding veterans’ health care.
Obama Administration Moves Forward On Employer Mandate
A signal came Thursday when the Internal Revenue Service posted drafts of forms that employers will have to fill out to comply with the requirement that they provide workers with health insurance.
