Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, Ohio, Colorado, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Alabama, Connecticut and Kansas.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report about federal health care subsidies and an update on states small business health exchanges.
Indiana Gov. Offers Alternative Medicaid Expansion Plan
Gov. Mike Pence announced a major push to expand Medicaid — but in his own way — to cover an additional 350,000 low-income Indiana adults.
Insurers Feel Pinch From New Exchange Enrollees, Other Health Law Factors
In Oregon, insurers note the hardship caused when new Cover Oregon policy holders don’t pay their premiums. Also, Massachusetts’ top three insurers posted steep first quarter losses they link to the health law’s new taxes and fees.
Using Health Data To Identify People In Need During Emergencies
The New York Times reports on how federal officials examined Medicare claims to pinpoint people who might have health needs, and shared these names with local public health authorities for outreach during disaster drills.
Novartis Successfully Delays Generic Version Of Leukemia Drug
In the meantime, Gentiva Health Services — a health and hospice company — rejects a takeover bid by Kindred Healthcare.
Employer Health Costs May Rise 9% This Year
But a separate study says better health care transparency could save more than $100 billion in the health system over 10 years.
Detailing Which Doctors Are Frequent Billers For Medicare High-End Office Visits
Propublica digs into recently released Medicare pricing data.
Health Law Reverberations Continue On The Campaign Trail
Politico reports how Scott Brown, in his current New Hampshire senatorial campaign, is being haunted by both the Massachusetts and federal health overhauls. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports on an attack ad in South Dakota.
Consumers Sue Blue Shield Of California Over Doctor, Hospital Network
Elsewhere, California extends the deadline for people on COBRA to get health exchange coverage, and the Associated Press looks at “reference pricing” that could mean bigger bills for some consumers.
Report: Women Unaware Of Health Law’s Benefits; Obstacles To Care Remain
The study from the Kaiser Family Foundation also found that one in five women were uninsured late in 2013 and that structural barriers to getting care remain.
Lawmakers Question VA Secretary Over Wait Times, Possible Deaths
Amid growing calls for his resignation, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki answered a Senate panel’s questions Thursday over allegations that a VA hospital in Phoenix kept secret lists to make wait times seem shorter.
Lawmakers Call For Investigation Of ‘Do Nothing’ Health Law Workers
GOP Sens. Roy Blunt and Lamar Alexander want an investigation into what’s happening at a health law insurance processing center in Kentucky after some employees say they sit idle. Their company, Serco, was awarded up to $1.25 billion to process health law insurance applications.
Viewpoints: ‘A Lot To Explain’ At VA; Pence’s Medicaid Plan; Lack Of Competition In Some Markets
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Medical Malpractice On Calif. Ballot; Missouri Abortion Battle
A selection of health policy stories from California, Missouri, Nevada, Iowa, Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin.
Research Roundup: Evaluating Hospitalists’ Workload; Hispanics And Medicare Part D
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, JAMA Internal Medicine, the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, the journal Cancer and JAMA Surgery.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Indiana governor’s alternative plan to expand Medicaid.
Confirmation Path Appears Smooth For Obama Pick To Take The Helm At HHS
Sylvia Mathews Burwell received a friendly reception from both sides of the aisle during her second confirmation hearing, during which she pledged to try to recoup any taxpayer funds that may have been misused on flawed state websites and defended the “unilateral” changes the Obama administration has made to the health law.
Oregon Confronts New Costs, Deadlines In Switch To Federal Exchange
In addition, allegations are emerging about the Wentzville, Mo., processing center that handled paper applications for new health law insurance coverage.
Three Large Insurers Join Forces For Health Care Price Transparency
A partnership was announced Wednesday among insurers UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Humana and the Health Care Cost Institute to create a payment database that will be available at no cost to the public.
