Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Finds Hospitals Getting Safer
The administration credited the improved safety at least partially to the Affordable Care Act.
A selection of health policy stories from Missouri, North Carolina, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, Michigan and Alaska.
‘Face Of Campaign’ Initially Unable To Get Coverage
It took a reporter’s intervention to obtain coverage for a Chicago resident who had touted the law’s benefits at a news conference last year but who had been mired in computer and other problems. Other reports look at how free preventive services may reduce health disparities and whether insurers can charge higher premiums to those who smoke e-cigarettes.
Every week KHN reporter Marissa Evans finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports from a Capitol Hill hearing featuring health insurers’ testimony about their experiences with new enrollment under the health law.
Insurers Say Most Obamacare Enrollees Pay First Premium
But they say the eight million enrollment figure includes many duplicate signups, The New York Times reports. News outlets also report on a health law provision that extends Medicaid coverage for former foster children until they turn 26.
DC OKs Health Insurance Tax To Pay For Exchange
The 1 percent tax will be imposed on all health-related insurance products sold in the nation’s capital. Meanwhile, four more companies apply to sell insurance on the Washington state exchange and The Oregonian examines the reasons that state opted to participate in the federal insurance marketplace.
Humana’s Profit Shrinks On Higher Expenses
The insurer said it expects to add more customers to its Medicare Advantage and individual plan businesses. Meanwhile, a few hospitals say they are doing simple surgeries for some uninsured patients for free to keep their problems from turning into emergencies that would be more expensive to treat, and those who developed meningitis as a result of tainted products seek compensation.
Obama Official: Make Health IT Real For People To Speed Adoption
Elsewhere, only four hospitals are enrolled in stage 2 of “meaningful use” — where they are paid for using electronic health records, and concierge medical services expand.
House Democrats Offer Alternative Mental Health Proposal
Many view the plan as controversial because it could hinder efforts toward bipartisan mental health reforms. Republicans offered their own measure about six months ago. In other congressional news, Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, who chairs the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, told hospital executives Tuesday that addressing the two-midnight rule is a high priority for him.
GOP Establishment Candidate Wins N.C. Senate Nomination
North Carolina’s Senate race is being closely watched because the incumbent, Democrat Kay Hagan, is considered one of the most vulnerable this campaign season because of her support of the health law. Also in the news, The Washington Post does some fact checking in regard to the latest round of Obamacare attacks, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launches a major ad buy.
State Highlights: SEIU, Hospital Strike Deal In Calif.; N.Y. Medicaid Audit; Dental Therapists
A selection of health policy stories from California, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana and North Carolina.
Viewpoints: Evidence For Obamacare Saving Lives; A Continuing Role For MinnesotaCare
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a story noting that insurers say about 80 percent of new enrollees have paid their first premiums for new insurance coverage under the health law.
Uninsured Rate Drops To Lowest Since 2008
The percentage of American adults without health insurance dropped to 13.4 percent in April — the lowest level since polling organization Gallup began tracking the rate in 2008. Gallup attributed the decline to “the surge in late health insurance signups to meet the official March 31 deadline” under the health law.
Massachusetts Starts Over With Insurance Exchange
The state also will prepare to join the federal insurance marketplace, as a back-up plan in case the new system is not ready in time for this fall’s open enrollment period.
Colorado Exchange Officials Debate Financial Plan
Connect for Health Colorado officials are scrambling to come up with a financial plan that does not raise fees. Meanwhile, a top executive with the company that Maryland hired to build its dysfunctional exchange is fired, and a new chairman takes over the Washington state board that oversees that state’s exchange.
Viewpoints: Obamacare A ‘Hispanic Success Story’; Another Day In Court For Health Law Challengers
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Health Law Plays Central Role In Key Senate Races
News outlets examine how the overhaul is being used in campaign ads in North Carolina, where a primary election is being held today, as well as in Iowa. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, the political spin has raised some eyebrows.
Insurer WellCare Doubles Profit Amid Higher Membership
In the meantime, Tenet Healthcare loses less after it acquires Vanguard Health Systems, Pfizer looks again to woo AstraZeneca into a purchase and Bayer AG moves to buy Merck’s consumer business.
