Latest KFF Health News Stories
High Court Weighs Whether To Hear Health Law Challenge
This week, the Supreme Court is expected to announce whether it will hear another legal challenge to the health law, King v. Burwell, which could potentially roll back subsidized insurance in many states.
Tweaks To Small Business Exchange Still Underway
Administration officials say the website for small-business employees will be ready by Nov. 15. Meanwhile, healthcare.gov — the site for individual consumers — is expected to be more user-friendly this time round but will still have back-end issues making it difficult for insurance plans to get timely and complete information. And a Bankrate survey projects that half of Obamacare enrollees may not re-enroll.
First Edition: November 3, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Ebola Errors; McConnell’s Mixed Message; Shifts In Mental Health Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: The Effects Of ACOs; Declines In Medical Liability Payments
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
State Highlights: Ga. Official On Insurer’s Contract With Docs; Calif. Nursing Home Audit
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Montana, West Virginia and Louisiana.
Florida Medicaid Lawsuit Delayed Again
Medicaid lawsuits and settlements also make news in Kansas and Louisiana. In the meantime, a proposal in Alaska to limit Medicaid payments for physical, occupational and speech therapy draws protests.
Candidate Credentials Hinging On Health Law
Elsewhere, a “health care compact” to give states more control over their health care, and less power to the federal health law, becomes a campaign issue in Kansas.
Debate Heats Up Over Mandatory Quarantines For People Who Are Not Sick
NPR reports that legal experts contend that certain states may be going too far. In addition, The Associated Press examines how the Ebola protocols for returning military and civilian workers are different.
Aging Baby Boomers Spark High-Tech Health Innovation
Entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are building companies to address the needs of baby boomers as they age. Meanwhile, health insurers Cigna, Aetna and Humana continue to report revenue increases as the financial losses from the Affordable Care Act decline in the third quarter.
HHS Watchdog Criticizes Medicare Rule That Allows Drug Purchases After Patient’s Death
Also, in other Medicare news, officials cut $60 million from Medicare spending on home health services.
Democrats Face Voter Appeal Challenges On Health Care, Safety Net
The Wall Street Journal looks at how Democratic messaging on health care and other social and safety-net issues is playing during this election season. Also, the Sacramento Bee and CBS News parse the veracity of campaign ads.
As GOP Election-Day Confidence Grows, McConnell Reiterates Obamacare Opposition
Earlier in the week, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who hopes the mid-terms will not only result in his re-election but also GOP control of the Senate and his own rise to majority leader, made comments that repeal of the health law might not be in the cards. Since then, however, he has sought to reassure conservatives about his opposition to the overhaul. Meanwhile, other news outlets analyze how a Republican majority in the Senate, and other electoral outcomes, might impact the health policy agenda.
Insurers Predict Surge In Obamacare Sign-Ups
Reuters reports that insurers selling 2015 health law plans expect at least 20 percent growth in customers and more than a doubling in some states. Also in the news, reports about enrollment efforts in California and premium cost confusion in Minnesota and North Carolina.
First Edition: October 30, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Views On Ebola: Quarantines Will Cripple Fight Against The Disease; Feds, States Must Cooperate
News outlets offer a variety of opinions on the strategy to fight Ebola and on the issue of quarantining health care workers.
Viewpoints: Health Law ‘Pushing Back Inequality’; Mississippi’s ‘Shame’; Medicaid Vote In Maine
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: How A Quarantine Works; GOP Plan To Sue Obama Hits A Stumbling Block
Every week KHN reporter Shefali Luthra selects interesting reading from around the Web.
State Highlights: GOP Looks For Legislature Control; Abortion Key In Tenn. Election
A selection of health policy stories from Arkansas, California, Tennessee, Michigan, North Carolina and Maryland.
Maine Nurse Defies Quarantine Order, Testing States’ Efforts On Ebola
The nurse opts to go for a bike ride Thursday morning against orders from the governor. Meanwhile, California also announces it is setting up a 21-day home quarantine policy for any health care workers returning from West Africa.
