Latest KFF Health News Stories
Contraceptive Commentary: Religious Liberty Should Not Be Constrained; Women Employees Are Forgotten
Opinion writers take swipes at the case before the Supreme Court on the health law’s requirement that employers provide contraceptive coverage to their workers.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Obama administration will extend the deadline for signing up for insurance through healthcare.gov.
High Court Hears Arguments Regarding The Birth Control Coverage Mandate
Justices appeared divided over this case, which involves both issues of religious freedoms and a provision of the health overhaul.
High Court To Hear Arguments In Case Mixing Religious Freedoms And Birth Control Coverage
The case, which touches various politically charged issues, could have implications beyond the health law’s birth control coverage requirement.
Report: 32 Million Americans Underinsured In 2012
Those consumers had insurance that didn’t meet their needs, the report finds. Meanwhile, the Associated Press examines the difficulties Latinos have getting insurance. Members of the nation’s largest minority group account for a third of those people nationwide without coverage. But they also face unique hurdles in signing up before the March 31 deadline.
Appeals Court To Weigh Challenge To Health Law Subsidies
Opponents of the health law argue that the legislative language never says subsidies can be used to defray premium costs for low- and moderate-income people who live in states that did not set up their own online marketplaces and are served instead by the federal exchange. Also, in news about how the law is being implemented, a look at who is exempted from the mandate to get insurance.
New Pro-Health Law Bumper Stickers Take Aim At Tea Party
Also, Americans For Prosperity is airing new anti-Obamacare ads. As the political back-and-forth action continues, The Washington Post checks some of the facts.
Study: Many States Do Poorly On Health Care Price Transparency
Also, ProPublica examines doctor-drug company “double-dipping” at some academic medical centers.
Va. Gov.’s Medicaid Expansion Proposal Denied
Republicans in a House committee rejected the proposal, which is holding up a two-year budget deal.
MNsure To Give Some Deadline Flexibility To Last-Minute Health Exchange Shoppers
Minnesota officials announced Monday that people who hit technical snags that prevent them from completing the sign up process by March 31 may still be able to avoid the federal tax penalty for not having health insurance.
Report: Prescription Barriers More Likely In Exchange Plans
The analysis by Avalere Health says that consumers who purchased health law coverage are more likely to have to get prior authorization, among other requirements, when filling prescriptions.
Calif. Health Exchange Shoppers Will Get Voter Registration Form
The state will send voter registration cards to nearly 4 million state residents who visited the online insurance marketplace to ease voting rights group worries.
State Roundup: Calif. Malpractice Cap Ballot Measure
A selection of health policy stories from California, Colorado, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.
Viewpoints: Be Careful What You Pray For; Health Law ‘Freakouts;’ Concerns About Imported Drugs
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories previewing today’s Supreme Court action regarding the health law’s contraception coverage mandate.
Enrollment Push Is Tough In Mississippi
Politico reports on efforts to sign people up for health care as Humana sends a lime green bus through some of the state’s poorest areas. Other outlets look at enrollment campaigns in Maine, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon and Colorado.
Effort To Fix SGR Formula Snagged Over Cost
Prospects are growing dim that Congress will permanently fix Medicare’s outdated payment formula this year because lawmakers have been unable to agree on a way to pay for it. Meanwhile, federal officials have drafted rules to protect seniors when Medicare Advantage plans cut doctors from their networks.
Supreme Court To Hear Health Law Contraceptive Case Tuesday
At issue is whether for-profit companies, such as Hobby Lobby, are entitled to the same religious protections as individuals or religious organizations.
State Highlights: Fla. Employees’ Unequal Premiums; Abuse By Calif. Doctor Alleged
News media report on a variety of health care issues in Florida, Texas, California, Wisconsin, New York, Massachusetts and Minnesota.
