Latest KFF Health News Stories
Poll: Health Law Support Declining Among The Uninsured
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s monthly tracking poll found that 47 percent of the uninsured said they have unfavorable views of the law — an increase since December. Most were also unaware of many of the law’s benefits.
Longer Looks: Doctor Guilt; An Abortion Provider’s Hidden Record
This week’s articles come from The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, 60 Minutes, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
First Edition: January 30, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories about a new poll examining how uninsured people — one of the groups the health law was designed to help — view the overhaul.
Obama Urges People To Sign Up For Coverage In State Of The Union
The president extolled the health law during his State Of The Union address, describing those who are benefiting and challenging Republicans for their ideas. Utah Sen. Mike Lee hit back, calling the law “an inequality Godzilla that has robbed working families of their insurance, their doctors, their wages and their jobs,” while Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers cited its troubled rollout.
DelBene Takes On Challenge Of Correcting Healthcare.gov’s Flaws
Kaiser Health News profiles the Obama administration’s new website fix-it guy. And, in other news, The Associated Press reports that some workers at a federal health care call center for the health exchanges are now suing the government because they allegedly were forced to work unpaid overtime.
Lawmakers File Briefs In Hobby Lobby Health Law Contraception Case
Democrats and Republicans are sending the Supreme Court letters detracting from or supporting the case the Christian-owned hobby store has brought challenging the health law mandate that employers cover contraception in their health plans.
The new numbers are expected to get a skeptical reception from Virginia’s House Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Coburn Pays Out-Of-Pocket To See Cancer Doctor
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, says the new insurance plan he purchased under the health law doesn’t include his long-standing oncologist. He says he is paying out of pocket to see that doctor and is “doing well from a health standpoint.”
House Passes Bill To Ban Health Law Subsidies For Abortion Coverage
But the restriction, which would apply to private plans bought with the help of health law subsidies, stands no chance of passage by the Democratic-controlled Senate.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Will Doc Cuts Like Those In Conn. Become More Common?
A selection of health policy stories from Connecticut, California, Vermont, Minnesota, Virginia and Georgia.
First Edition: January 29, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the health law played in last night’s State-of-the-Union address by President Barack Obama.
Health Law Launch Frustrations Set Scene For State Of Union
News outlets analyze the challenges and opportunities in the president’s annual address to Congress while assessing his record on fulfilling past proposals.
Three GOP Senators Offer Plan To Replace Obamacare
The measure, dubbed the Patient Choice, Affordability, Responsibility and Empowerment Act, is being advanced by Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Orrin Hatch of Utah and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. It may provide a window into how Republicans plan to handle health reform issues in the upcoming election cycle and beyond.
The survey, released by the National Center for Health Statistics, also found that one in 10 families face medical costs they can’t pay at all. Meanwhile, in other developments related to the cost of coverage, SunTrust cancels its health plan for Medicare-eligible retirees and is offering them an alternative.
Virginia Legislators Harden Line Against Medicaid Expansion
And in Georgia, protesters are arrested after conducting a “sit in” at Gov. Nathan Deal’s office to press him to accept a letter urging expansion of the state’s Medicaid program.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Texas, South Carolina, Virginia, Kansas, Florida, Rhode Island and Georgia.
Contractor Got Extra $8.7M Days Before Healthcare.gov Launch
Politico reports that federal officials made the emergency payment to Verizon Terremark after discovering the federal website was unable to handle sufficient traffic. Also in the news, the Maryland House is scheduled to vote on legislation to provide insurance to people who tried unsuccessfully to buy coverage through the state website. The state will also push back the launch of a website for small businesses.
Study Finds Health Law Offers Income Boost To Poorest People; Insurers’ Experiences Are Mixed
News coverage offers different looks at how the health law is impacting consumers and insurers.
