Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: A ‘Success Story’ In McAllen, Texas; ‘Uniquely High Prices’ In Health Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: September 24, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports of the Obama administration announcement that the number of insurers offering health plans in the health law’s online marketplaces is going up.
The New York Times reports that a redesign to the federal marketplace will allow a majority of consumers to use a simpler online form when attempting to buy health coverage, and The Associated Press details findings out today by the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general that report on government hackers’ attempts to breach the site.
GAO Advises CMS To Step Up Tracking Of Health Law Implementation Funding
The watchdog agency says the federal government has spent $3.7 billion during the current fiscal year on the marketplaces. News outlets also report on developments related to exchanges in California, Minnesota and Montana.
State Highlights: Medicaid Bankruptcy Ruling Could Save Some Nursing Homes
A selection of health policy stories from Florida, Texas, California and Colorado.
Drugmakers Warned Against Giving Coupons To Medicare Beneficiaries
While brand-name drugmakers regularly use coupons to boost sales, it is illegal to induce Medicare Part D enrollees to use them. Meanwhile, a researcher asks members of the public how they would fix Medicare.
Court Dumps Obamacare Lawsuit Brought By Doctors
A federal appeals court in Chicago tosses a lawsuit challenging the administration’s delay of the health law’s employer mandate — a case similar to the one that House Republicans plan to file. Meanwhile, advocates for the drug, device and biotechnology industries raise concerns about the public database set to go live next week, showing how much doctors get from those groups.
Hospitals Seek To Control Costs By Setting Standards For Care
One group in Delaware looked at high spending on cardiac monitoring for patients who really didn’t need it and encouraged doctors to instead use guidelines from the American Heart Association. Costs fell by 70 percent for the monitoring, a study finds.
Police, Parents Learning To Better Handle Mental Illness
And in Arizona, a judge approved an agreement to expand services for the people with serious mental illnesses, ending a 30-year-old class action lawsuit.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: September 23, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about work being done on healthcare.gov in anticipation of the next open enrollment period, which begins in mid-November.
Feds Vow Improved, But Not Perfect, Healthcare.gov
Officials running the federal health insurance website hope to resolve glitches before open enrollment begins Nov. 15, but warn consumers not to expect a seamless experience. Meanwhile, the unusually low enrollment in Obamacare plans in Iowa and South Dakota stemmed from one insurer’s business decisions.
New Medicaid Enrollees Pleased With Coverage, But Note They Still Face Obstacles
Focus-group research finds that people who received Medicaid coverage under the health law’s expansion are generally happy but find roadblocks to getting care, The Washington Post reports.
Viewpoints: CHIP Funding Needed; GOP’s Flawed Plan To Make ‘The Pill’ OTC; Millenials’ Health Issues
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Many Gynecologists Still Using Surgical Tool Despite FDA Warning
Federal officials warned in April that the tool, called a morcellator, can spread undetected cancer.
Congress Approves Measure To Tighten Scrutiny, Inspections Of Hospices
The Washington Post reports on this development.
Two Recent GAO Reports Help GOP Refocus Health Law Opposition
Meanwhile, House Republicans also replaced the law firm handling their lawsuit against President Barack Obama with another Washington firm. The lawyer now handling the case was previously an outside counsel for a House panel when it sued Attorney General Eric Holder in connection to “Operation Fast and Furious.”
GOP Candidates Explore Middle Move Ahead Of Election
Democrats, in the meantime, try a new tactic — talking up their commitment to Social Security and Medicare. Elsewhere, Sens. Kay Hagan and Mark Warner face campaign fights centering largely on the health law.
Medicare Experiment Shows Initial Promise
Accountable care organizations, an Affordable Care Act model that rewards providers who produce better quality at lower cost, are showing promise in Wisconsin and Iowa. Meanwhile, a top Medicare adviser outlines other needed changes.
State Highlights: La. Struggles With State Worker Health Program Costs; Aging In Ky.
A selection of health policy stories from Hawaii, Louisiana, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Missouri.
