Latest KFF Health News Stories
Dueling Rulings On Health Law Subsidies Leave States In Lurch
States are pondering their places in the health law’s federal- or state-based health insurance exchanges after a pair of contradictory appeals court rulings Tuesday threw up in the air if states that use the federal exchange can offer subsidies to their residents to help afford coverage.
CNN Poll: Half Of Americans Say Obamacare Has Helped Their Families Or Others
A CNN poll finds that more than half the public says the health law helped their families or others, but fewer than one in five say they have personally benefited. Meanwhile, election-year politics in Ohio may lead to the release of 2015 premiums on Oct. 1, and business and consumer groups seek to influence benefits.
Undercover Agents Get Health Insurance Subsidies With Fake IDs
Federal investigators, working undercover for the Government Accountability Office, said they had been able to obtain subsidized insurance under the health law using fictitious identities and false documents. The administration said it was working on remedying the verification problems.
Marketplace Confronts Confusion In Face Of Conflicting Rulings
News outlets report that providers and insurers worry the two appellate court decisions could undermine the stability of the newly expanded health insurance markets. Meanwhile, governors in those states that opted not to set up their own marketplaces may face pressure if consumers who used healthcare.gov to shop for coverage lose their subsidies.
Obama VA Nominee Gets Warm Reception From Lawmakers
Members of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs indicated Tuesday they would likely endorse Robert McDonald, President Barack Obama’s nominee to take over the Department of Veterans Affairs. A full Senate vote could come as early as next week.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Colorado, Maryland, Kansas, Missouri, Washington state and Minnesota.
Contraception Accommodation For Religious Groups To Be Broadened
The Obama administration said Tuesday it will create a new option for certain religious nonprofits that object to the health law’s contraception mandate that does not entail submitting a form that they say also violates their religious beliefs.
Viewpoints: Halbig Decision Is ‘Ominous,’ ‘Major Victory For The Rule Of Law,’ ‘Far From Last Word’
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage and analysis of yesterday’s conflicting legal decisions regarding the health law.
D.C. Appeals Court Overturns Subsidies For Fed Exchange; Fourth Circuit Takes Different View
A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruled Tuesday that subsidies may not be offered in the federal health exchange. The decision overturned a lower court ruling. Hours later the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals offered its own decision, which upholds the Obama administration’s arguments that subsidies can be applied in the federal exchange.
Narrow Networks Backlash Being Felt Across The Insurance Marketplace And Campaign Trail
News outlets report that consumer frustration with health law plans’ limited choice of doctors and hospitals is emerging in a number of areas.
Judge Dismisses Sen. Johnson’s Lawsuit Against Health Law Provision
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is challenging the requirement that members of Congress and their staffs get government-subsidized health care through the law’s online marketplaces, but U.S. District Judge William Griesbach in Wisconsin says Johnson and his aide had not been harmed by the law.
Drug Industry News: FDA Offers Warning About Compounding Pharmacy; More On Sovaldi
This latest warning is the Food and Drug Administration’s third in 15 months.
Out-Of-Pocket Costs Rising Significantly For Medicare Beneficiaries: Report
The analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation examines seniors’ costs from 2000 to 2010. Also, another story focuses on a new Medicare effort to find ways to exempt beneficiaries from the requirement that they be in the hospital for three days before they qualify for nursing home coverage.
Debate Heats Up Over Physicians’ Skill Reviews
In other news regarding medical practice, the federal database detailing payments to doctors from the drug and device industries is plagued by error messages.
Newborns’ Health Indicators Improve Despite Economic, Health Disparities
The Washington Post reports on this development.
Senate, House Conference Panel Makes Small Advances On VA Bill
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said the Senate will accept some offset on the cost of the package, a demand from the House. But the negotiations still have other issues to resolve. Meanwhile, the nominee to lead the agency prepares to testify before the Senate, and a new report examines problems at the VA.
Health Policy And The Campaign Trail: Reports From Minnesota And Virginia
Headlines highlight how health policy issues — and the health law in particular — are playing in these races.
Despite Controversies And Doubts, Cover Oregon Board Meeting To Plan For The Future
The board directing the troubled Oregon health exchange is meeting this week to begin making recommendations about next steps and the future. In addition, Washington’s health benefit exchange faces challenges of its own.
Viewpoints: ‘Entitlement Meltdown;’ Improving Medicare Advantage; ‘Sloppy Work Habits’ At CDC
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
