Latest KFF Health News Stories
GAO Official: Report Intended To Identify Trouble Spots In Health Law Fraud Controls
But Republicans saw it as evidence of more problems with the health overhaul.
$1,000-A-Pill Hepatitis C Drug Boosts Gilead’s Fortunes
Sales of the new hepatitis C drug Sovaldi reached $3.5 billion in the second quarter, putting it on track to become one of the world’s best-selling medicines and intensifying concerns about its costs. Two advocacy groups and a Democratic lawmaker demanded that Medicare be able to negotiate with Gilead and other drugmakers to bring down such costs.
Healthcare.gov Active With Special Enrollments
ProPublica reports that the once problem-plagued federal exchange handled an estimated 960,000 transactions between April 19 and July 15.
Medicaid Residents Sue Tennessee On Enrollment Delays
The suit claims that the state’s decision to require residents to apply through the health law marketplace slowed down enrollment. In other Medicaid news, The Associated Press examines problems in Oregon caused by the rush of enrollment.
Viewpoints: Looking To The Supremes For Answer On Subsidies; ‘Personhood’ Laws
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more analysis of this week’s conflicting appeals courts’ decisions regarding a key part of the health law.
Questions Abound As Courts Split On Legality Of Health Law Subsidies
Two U.S. courts of appeals reached different decisions regarding the issue of whether the health law’s subsidies can be used by consumers shopping for health coverage on the federal exchange, because their states opted against setting up their own online insurance marketplace. This development injects confusion as the Obama administration works toward the next open enrollment season, which is slated for November. Ultimately, the issue could land before the Supreme Court.
How Will The Latest Health Law Decisions Affect You?
News outlets offer consumer impact insight over Tuesday’s rulings on the health law’s subsidies to buy health insurance on the federal and state marketplaces.
Dueling Rulings On Health Law Subsidies Leave States In Lurch
States are pondering their places in the health law’s federal- or state-based health insurance exchanges after a pair of contradictory appeals court rulings Tuesday threw up in the air if states that use the federal exchange can offer subsidies to their residents to help afford coverage.
CNN Poll: Half Of Americans Say Obamacare Has Helped Their Families Or Others
A CNN poll finds that more than half the public says the health law helped their families or others, but fewer than one in five say they have personally benefited. Meanwhile, election-year politics in Ohio may lead to the release of 2015 premiums on Oct. 1, and business and consumer groups seek to influence benefits.
Undercover Agents Get Health Insurance Subsidies With Fake IDs
Federal investigators, working undercover for the Government Accountability Office, said they had been able to obtain subsidized insurance under the health law using fictitious identities and false documents. The administration said it was working on remedying the verification problems.
Marketplace Confronts Confusion In Face Of Conflicting Rulings
News outlets report that providers and insurers worry the two appellate court decisions could undermine the stability of the newly expanded health insurance markets. Meanwhile, governors in those states that opted not to set up their own marketplaces may face pressure if consumers who used healthcare.gov to shop for coverage lose their subsidies.
Obama VA Nominee Gets Warm Reception From Lawmakers
Members of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs indicated Tuesday they would likely endorse Robert McDonald, President Barack Obama’s nominee to take over the Department of Veterans Affairs. A full Senate vote could come as early as next week.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Colorado, Maryland, Kansas, Missouri, Washington state and Minnesota.
Contraception Accommodation For Religious Groups To Be Broadened
The Obama administration said Tuesday it will create a new option for certain religious nonprofits that object to the health law’s contraception mandate that does not entail submitting a form that they say also violates their religious beliefs.
Viewpoints: Halbig Decision Is ‘Ominous,’ ‘Major Victory For The Rule Of Law,’ ‘Far From Last Word’
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 and analysis of yesterday’s conflicting legal decisions regarding the health law.
D.C. Appeals Court Overturns Subsidies For Fed Exchange; Fourth Circuit Takes Different View
A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruled Tuesday that subsidies may not be offered in the federal health exchange. The decision overturned a lower court ruling. Hours later the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals offered its own decision, which upholds the Obama administration’s arguments that subsidies can be applied in the federal exchange.
Narrow Networks Backlash Being Felt Across The Insurance Marketplace And Campaign Trail
News outlets report that consumer frustration with health law plans’ limited choice of doctors and hospitals is emerging in a number of areas.
Judge Dismisses Sen. Johnson’s Lawsuit Against Health Law Provision
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is challenging the requirement that members of Congress and their staffs get government-subsidized health care through the law’s online marketplaces, but U.S. District Judge William Griesbach in Wisconsin says Johnson and his aide had not been harmed by the law.
