Latest KFF Health News Stories
California Vows To Cut Medi-Cal Backlog To 350,000
Responding to federal pressure, state officials said they would slash the number of waiting applicants nearly in half over the next six weeks. Kansas, meanwhile, promised to fix its computers so they can communicate with the federal system.
Study Finds No Sign That Health Law Has Created Crush Of Medical Demand
The industry study finds that visits to doctors are down slightly over 2013. Another study looks at how nurses could do more in managing chronic illnesses to relieve stress on doctors.
Senate Dems Aim To Reverse Hobby Lobby Decision, Undermine State Abortion Restrictions
Democrats have scheduled a Senate vote Wednesday on legislation offered to respond to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling. And, on Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony about another measure that would void some state abortion restrictions.
More Insurers Want You To See A Doctor Virtually
Insurers like WellPoint and Aetna are offering patients the option of e-visits with doctors as a way to cut costs, but some see problems with that, reports Bloomberg. Other media outlets explore the controversy over Sovaldi, an expensive new drug for hepatitis C.
North Carolina Lawmakers Move Closer On State Medicaid Funding
In a major move, Senate negotiators have backed away from proposed cuts in eligibility for many aged, blind and disabled people.
Texas Medicaid Rolls Grow Even Without Expansion
More than 80,000 Texans have enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program since the rollout of the Affordable Care Act last fall, despite the state’s decision not to participate in the health law’s expansion of eligibility. Enrollment and marketplace developments in Colorado and Maryland are also tracked.
House GOP Launches Effort Today To Sue Obama On Health Law
Despite many confrontations with the White House, Republicans have decided the best strategy is to focus this legal challenge on actions President Barack Obama has taken on the health law.
The statutes, known as Laura’s Law in California, have become popular in various states after the recent wave of mass shootings.
State Highlights: Health Insurance Changes Catch Detroit Teachers Off Guard
A selection of health policy stories from Michigan, Tennessee, California, Wisconsin, New York and North Carolina.
Viewpoints: Lower Health Spending Is Welcome News; Media Bias Against Health Law Success
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Congressional Budget Office’s latest estimate on federal health care spending.
North Carolina Gov. Leaves ‘Door Open’ To Medicaid Expansion
The Republican governor said he wants to fix the current system first but would consider expansion if federal officials allow the state to craft its own plan. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that sign-ups for coverage in North Carolina beat those in nearly every other red state.
Survey: More Than 10 Million People Received Help From ‘Assisters’
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, about 28,000 assisters nationwide were involved in helping as consumers explorde their new health insurance options under the ACA.
HHS Offers $100 Million In Funds For States Medicaid Programs To Improve Payment Systems
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is offering the assistance in hopes that states will be able to streamline processes in ways that will ultimately lead to better patient care.
VA Makes Disability Payments Without Evidence To Cut Backlog
The Department of Veterans Affairs is making disability payments to thousands of veterans without adequate medical evidence they deserve the benefits as the agency attempts to cut a huge backlog of claims, a department watchdog says.
Help Wanted: CEO For Hard-To-Manage Federal Insurance Website
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell is expected to name someone to oversee the operations of healthcare.gov to keep it from becoming a joke again on late night TV. Also in the news is an examination of the small business marketplaces.
Fact Checker Finds Dems’ Rhetoric On Hobby Lobby Decision Overheated
The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler says in some cases the response from Democrats “has gotten way ahead of the facts.” Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., says the House Republicans push to sue President Barack Obama has no legal merit.
Florida Hospital To Pay $1M Settlement In False Claims Case
The settlement comes in what has been a closely watched Medicare overbilling case filed against Halifax Hospital. The Department of Justice still must sign off on the settlement. Advocate Health and Hospitals Corp. swatted away a class-action suit over last summer’s data breach, but more are pending. Also in the news, a possible health worker strike in New York, and a North Carolina mayor walks to Washington to focus attention on the difficulties of rural hospitals.
Viewpoints: ‘Tradeoffs Among Access, Quality And Costs’; Obamacare As A Political Issue
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Feds Scrutinize Medicaid Backlogs
In two recent letters, Health and Human Services officials have demanded remediation plans from a handful of states to resolve application backlogs.
