Latest KFF Health News Stories
A collection of state health policy news from Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Washington state, Iowa and Kansas.
Health Law A Tough Sell, Although Millions Gain Benefits
A New York Times analysis points out that many of those helped most by the health law are the least likely to cast votes to preserve it. CNN notes that Obamacare is a tough sell for embattled Democrats, even as a political analyst questions whether Republicans can be successful if they run against the law but offer no other program.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a GAO report on how the Obama administration raised money from outside groups to promote the health law.
At 8 Million Sign-Ups, Health Law Enrollment Surpasses Target
President Barack Obama hailed the latest tally of people who gained insurance as a result of the health law. News outlets also look inside this latest round of data to find out what information the administration is providing and what is still to come.
Sign-Up Figures Trigger New Round Of Health Law Political Spin
President Barack Obama uses the new enrollment numbers to urge Democrats to be proud of the health law and calls on Republicans to back off in their push to repeal the measure. GOP leaders, though, do not appear to soften their positions.
Physician Groups Deciding How To Spend Health Care Dollars
Some doctors, influenced by their professional societies, are considering how much procedures and medicines may cost the patient and the health care system.
Are Exchanges More Appealing To Insurers Now?
Elsewhere, in Colorado, new fees on consumers and insurance plans would raise $13 million to help run that state’s exchange next year.
California Officials Announce Enrollee Tally, Note Last-Minute Surge
Covered California, the state’s online health insurance marketplace, signed up 200,000 people for coverage during the two-week deadline extension — bringing the state’s total to 1.4 million. The state’s initial goal was about 815,900 for the six-month enrollment period that began Oct. 1, 2013.
Obama Presses Scrutiny Of 2015 Health Insurance Rates
The president made his appeal to state insurance commissioners at a meeting Thursday. Elsewhere, consumer spending related to the health law jumps, the GOP again demands to know the White House’s involvement in the healthcare.gov rollout, and hospitals try their hand as insurers.
Sebelius Says No To Kansas Senate Run
Despite recent appeals from Democrats for outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to run against Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., she has declined. Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that political attack ads are now trying to offer positive alternatives.
UnitedHealth Cites Health Law, Costly Hepatitis Drug In Reporting Lower Earnings
The health law’s effect was mixed, officials said, because the company did not participate in many of the online marketplaces, but it did see more customers for its Medicaid plans. Officials are considering a bigger role in the marketplaces next year.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
This week’s studies come from JAMA Surgery, JAMA Dermatology, the Employee Benefit Research Institute, the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, Mathematica, American Economic Journal and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
State Highlights: Diabetes Telemedicine in Miss.
A collection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Oregon and Mississippi.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports and analysis about President Barack Obama’s announcement that health law sign-ups hit the 8 million mark.
Health Law Strategies Emerge For Congressional Campaigns
Some Democrats are pointing to recent good news about the health law and urging candidates in tough races to embrace the overhaul. At the same time, GOP leaders say criticism of the law will resonate with voters.
News outlets report that outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is contemplating a run for the Senate in Kansas.
Va. Small Business Owners Press GOP To Expand Medicaid
More than 400 have signed a letter to Virginia’s House speaker asking Republicans to drop their opposition to the effort. Meanwhile, Utah’s governor says he is encouraged about his state’s prospects for its plan after talks with federal officials, and a Florida senator is trying to find a way around the logjam there.
MNsure Picks Deloitte To Revamp Exchange
Other state developments include the District of Columbia’s decision to extend enrollment until April 30, New York’s announcement that nearly 1 million residents enrolled in coverage and a Georgia report that only about half of the 220,000 enrollees in that state have paid their first month’s premiums.
Industry Coalition Pushes For Price Transparency
A report put out Wednesday by a coalition of hospitals, insurers, doctors and consumer advocates recommends how providers can make information available about the costs of various tests and procedures. An accompanying guide tells consumers how to find it.
