Latest KFF Health News Stories
The View From The Ground: How The Health Law Is Playing
News outlets examine how political stigma, expectations, understanding and misunderstanding are playing roles in the health law’s impact in states like West Virginia, Kentucky and Colorado.
Relatively Few Seek Relief From The Health Law’s Individual Insurance Mandate
Although people can seek exemptions from this requirement to buy coverage, only about 77,000 have done so, The Washington Post reports. Meanwhile, payment issues are also in the headlines as KHN looks at insurers’ efforts to set the 2015 rates for policies on the health law’s marketplaces, and the New York Times examines a panel’s findings about the law’s effects on doctors and hospitals treating many poor patients.
Experts Examine Medicare Billing Data Limits
And The New York Times looks at one doctor’s Medicare bills for more than $4 million in 2012.
Medicaid Battles Become Political Quagmires
While Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, awaits a federal decision on his request to link a work requirement to Medicaid expansion benefits, Democratic governors and GOP lawmakers in Missouri, Montana and Virginia have battled each other to stalemates on the expansion.
Democrats, GOP Brace For 2016 Health Care Fight
Democrats worry that talking about the health law will not net them any positive gains in elections this year. House Speaker John Boehner also took to the air Saturday to hammer President Obama on jobs and health care.
Co-ops Having Impact In Some Health Markets
Politico Pro reports that some nonprofit co-ops have forced Aetna to withdraw from some state exchanges because of what Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini describes as “irrational pricing.” Meanwhile, the Associated Press features Dr. Peter Beilenson, who is trying to break the mold with his co-op in Maryland.
With First Open Enrollment Season Behind Them, States Move Ahead — Though Slowly
Marketplace reports on the lessons learned by states operating their own online health insurance exchanges and how these experiences will affect the year ahead. In related news, the Colorado exchange reports that it’s on track to meet its goal for this year while New York health officials say they will not require out-of-network coverage on next year’s Affordable Care Act plans.
Viewpoints: Boehner’s ‘Truthful Gaffe’ On Health Law; Larry Kramer’s AIDS Crusade; Costly Drugs
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Bankruptcy Risk For DC Specialty Hospital; Calif. Hospital Errors
A selection of health policy stories from the District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Idaho and Indiana.
Oregon Opts For Federal Exchange
The board overseeing Oregon’s nonfunctional health insurance exchange unanimously approved the Obama administration’s plan Friday to take over the marketplace, making Oregon the first state to drop its enrollment website for healthcare.gov. The Oregonian reports that a task force also recommended the state shelve another Oracle-led project to ‘revolutionize’ information technology for its health services department.
Healthcare.gov Still Under Construction
Though the website has been functioning for consumers buying insurance coverage, Politico reports that critical, back-end elements are still being built, which could have adverse effects on insurers and ultimately on next year’s premiums. Meanwhile, The Washington Post extracts lessons from the rollouts of state exchanges — some of which ran smoothly and others of which were troubled.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a number of stories examining the impact of the health law in various states.
Oregon To Join Federal Health Insurance Exchange
Oregon built what is widely regarded as the worst-functioning state exchange in the nation.
Consumers In High-Risk Pools Can Sign Up For Plans Until June 30
The federal program that provided coverage for people with chronic health problems, which often prevented them from being able to buy private insurance, is shutting at the end of the month, but participants can buy coverage through the exchanges until the end of June.
Study: Health Plans Dropped After Health Law May Have Been Canceled Anyway
A new study says the health law didn’t lead to more cancellations of health plans than what typically occurs every year as part of the normal churn of the individual policy market.
Doctors, Dentists Adjusting To Ups And Downs Of Changing U.S. Health Care System
Several news outlets covered trends in the industry – including how dentists who treat Medicaid patients are coping.
Drug Companies That Are High Medicare Earners Spend Big On Lobbying Activities
USA Today reports on lobbying activities.
Poll Finds Drop In Support For Virginia Medicaid Expansion
A survey conducted by the Wason Center at Christopher Newport University finds that 53 percent of Virginia voters oppose enrolling more people in Medicaid.
A selection of health policy stories from California, New York, Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Arizona.
On The Campaign Trail, Some Democrats Embrace Health Law
One of the most notable examples is taking place in the Pennsylvania primary, where Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls are expressing support for the law.
