Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about the inner-workings of some state-based health exchanges.
Hagan Defends Medicaid Expansion, Criticizes GOP Rival In Burwell Hearing
During a nomination hearing Thursday for Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Sen. Kay Hagan — a North Carolina Democrat in a tough re-election battle — criticized North Carolina Republicans for declining to expand the Medicaid program under the health law. Her GOP opponent, Thom Tillis, is the state House speaker.
Mass. Plan For New Health Insurance Exchange Has Estimated Price Tag Of $121 Million
After millions of dollars have already been spent on attempts to fix Massachusetts’ online marketplace, known as the Health Connector, insurers and some exchange board members say the cost is too high. Meanwhile, news outlets also report on developments from Connecticut, Maryland, California, Oregon and Illinois.
Obama’s Pick To Head HHS Draws Bipartisan Praise In Confirmation Hearing
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, who has been nominated by the White House to become the next Health and Human Services secretary, also faced tough questions about the health law’s implementation and the trouble-plagued healthcare.gov.
VA Secretary Shinseki Subpoenaed In VA Wait List Probe
The subpoena asks for all email and other correspondence to look into the alleged secret wait list that sought to make wait times at a Phoenix VA hospital seem shorter than they really were.
Senate To Vote On Exempting Veterans From Employer Mandate
Meanwhile, USA Today looks at Congress’ failure to pass legislation that would address the fragmentation of mental health services following the 2012 shootings in Newtown, Conn., and Sen. Lindsey Graham plans to push a bill that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Virtual Doctors Visits Await Regulation, Grow In Popularity
And recommendations on digital privacy protections for electronic health records could come as early as June.
Viewpoints: House Chairman Calls For Shinseki Resignation; Hagan’s Case For Obamacare
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Federal Judges Hear ‘Origination Clause’ Challenge To Health Law
The case, brought by the Pacific Legal Foundation in Sacramento, Calif., argues the law’s insurance mandate is unconstitutional because the Constitution’s origination clause requires all revenue-raising measures to originate in the House of Representatives and this legislation began in the Senate.
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Connecticut and Minnesota.
Research Roundup: Unearthing Factors In Hospital Readmissions; Dissecting The Enrollment Surge
This week’s studies and briefs come from the University of Pennsylvania, Health Affairs and the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports from the first Senate confirmation hearing for Sylvia Mathews Burwell, President Barack Obama’s pick for Health and Human Services Secretary.
Confirmation Hearings Begin For Obama’s Pick To Head HHS
Today the first of two scheduled hearings will take place for Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Though she is expected to be confirmed as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, she is also expected to face some tough questions about the health law.
Insurers: Payment Rates Above 80% For Plans Purchased On Health Exchanges
Officials from the major insurance companies were not following themes of gloom and doom and instead told the Energy and Commerce Committee that the overhaul has not triggered a government takeover of their industry, and that their stock prices are doing well.
Drugmakers Realign To Reduce Costs
Meanwhile, their trade group warns that the patient cost-sharing requirements in some health law plans could restrict prescription drug access.
American Legion Calls On VA Secretary To Resign Over Health System
Accusations that records were kept secret or falsified and over preventable deaths and mismanagement are part of a larger problems within the Veterans Affairs health system, some say.
Federal Exchange Spent $647 Per Enrollee — A Relative Bargain
Meanwhile, Oregon names an official to oversee its shift to the federal exchange, while other stories examine the slow start of California’s small business exchange and the higher costs faced by some Arizona families forced to switch their children from the Children’s Health Insurance Program to private insurance when that state ended the program.
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Grows Despite Health Law Cuts
Also, more insight into Humana’s smaller earnings in the first quarter.
N.C. Senate GOP Nominee Calls For Obamacare Repeal
In Massachusetts, former Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services head Don Berwick runs for governor on a single-payer health care platform, and Maryland’s Democratic primary for governor sees a health care clash.
Viewpoints: Insurance And Death Rates; Massachusetts ‘Exit Plan’; Obamacare Premiums
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
