Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Law’s ‘Uninsurance’ Fine Capped At $2,448 For Individuals
The cap for a family of five is set at $12,240 — an amount equal to the national average annual premium cost of a bronze level plan.
Expensive Hepatitis Drug Challenges Medicaid Programs’ Funding
State officials are nervous about how to afford the new medicine, which can run $84,000 for treatment. Also in Medicaid news, federal data show children using emergency room treatment at night or weekends are often on Medicaid.
For Consumers, Some Pitfalls In Obamacare Coverage Could Lie Ahead
Stateline reports that automatic re-enrollment of health plans bought through the state and federal exchanges could mean that people pay more than they would if they comparison shopped. In addition, The Associated Press reports that inconsistent subsidy amounts are leading some people to go without insurance.
House Panel Backs Lawsuit Against Obama On Health Law
The Rules Committee approved a resolution challenging whether the president has constitutional authority to delay provisions of the law. The full House will likely consider it before its August recess begins.
New Mexico Likely To Decide Health Exchange Plan Today
Also in the news, Colorado’s health exchange chief executive announced she will leave her post to become president of Cigna’s private exchange business.
Consumers In States Around The Country To Get Premium Rebates
Local news outlets report on a federal announcement Thursday showing how much money will be sent back to people and employers under rules that say insurers must spend at least 80 percent of premium payments on medical care.
N.C. Senate Votes For Managed Care Medicaid Overhaul
The move would offer a set amount of money per patient to managed care companies and would set up a new department run by a politically appointed board.
State Highlights: Public Comments On Mass. Hospital Deal; Wash. Insurance Case Brings Allegations
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Washington state, Missouri and Pennsylvania.
GOP And Dems’ Feud Over Funding Threatens Bill To Fix VA
With only a week before the August recess, negotiations broke down over how much money to spend and how to pay for it.
Viewpoints: Ryan’s ‘Thoughtful Blueprint’ To End Poverty; GOP Challenges After Health Law Rulilng
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Of course, CQ Healthbeat reports, this scenario is still a long shot, but it offers a possible workaround if the recent ruling that consumers could not use health law subsidies to buy insurance on healthcare.gov becomes law.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Obama administration is moving ahead in preparations for the health law’s employer mandate.
10 Million Newly Insured Because Of Health Law, Study Says
The study, done by Harvard researchers and published by the New England Journal of Medicine, was based on Gallup polling and data from the Department of Health and Human Services. It also estimated that the uninsured rate declined by 5.2 percentage points in the second quarter of 2014.
Health Insurers To Refund Consumers $330 Million
The refunds are required under the health law when insurers spend less than 80 to 85 percent of health care premiums for medical care. Florida consumers will receive the biggest rebates, with $41.7 million returned, according to government data.
Longer Looks: The Economics Of Infertility; Placebos As Treatment Raises Ethical Dilemmas
Every week KHN reporter Marissa Evans finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Parsing The Health Law Court Decisions: What Does It All Mean?
News outlets analyze this week’s conflicting appeals courts’ decisions regarding a key part of the health law, including the impact the ultimate outcome of the cases could have on coverage, politics and the marketplace.
Senate Could Vote On VA Nominee’s Confirmation Before The August Break
Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell named Leslie Dach, a former Wal-Mart vice president, to be a senior adviser as part of Burwell’s effort to head off difficulties in the upcoming health law enrollment period.
Rep. Paul Ryan To Propose Consolidation Of Anti-Poverty Programs
The proposal calls for melding a range of safety net programs — from food stamps to housing vouchers — into a single grant offered to states, which would come with strict accountability standards. The proposal, which does not include Medicaid, is part of a GOP effort to rethink how conservatives approach antipoverty programs.
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, New York, Texas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Maryland and North Carolina.
Health Care Occupations Offer Pathway For Lesser-Educated Workers
According to a Brookings Institution report, the number of people with less than a bachelor’s degree working in 10 specific health care occupations increased from 46 percent to 39 percent between 2000 to 2011.
