Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Marketplace Reportedly Using Wrong Guidelines For Subsidies

Morning Briefing

An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer notes the problem. In other implementation news, recent statements by a Treasury official are being touted by Republicans as evidence the Obama administration has overstepped its statutory authority.

Research Roundup: New Medical Coding System; Choosing A Hospice

Morning Briefing

This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, the Annals of Family Medicine, JAMA Psychiatry, The Kaiser Family Foundation, Texas A&M University’s Private Enterprise Research Center and the National Center for Policy Analysis.

First Edition: March 21, 2014

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a new examination of Ezekiel Emanuel’s book about the crafting of the health law and President Obama’s latest push to boost enrollment.

Higher Insurance Premiums Forecast For 2015

Morning Briefing

With less than two weeks to go in open enrollment, analysts size up the likelihood of reaching signup targets for young people and worry about the impact of that and other factors on 2015 premiums for exchange plans. The role of insurance brokers is also examined.

State Exchanges Report Stepped Up Activity As Sign-Up Deadline Nears

Morning Briefing

According to The Denver Post, Colorado’s marketplace is seeing an acceleration in the rate of enrollment,while the Los Angeles Times highlights specific outreach efforts as the clock ticks toward March 31. In Oregon, though, the countdown is on for the release of a report detailing what went wrong. And, in Connecticut, GOP state legislators want to know any of the consumers using the state’s online portal were previously uninsured.

Study Finds New Heart Guidelines Would Put About Half Of Older Adults On Statins

Morning Briefing

The New England Journal of Medicine study is the first independent assessment of guidelines released last fall on the use of the heart medications, and it shows 56 million people between the ages of 40 and 75 are eligible for the treatment.

Medicaid Expansion Compromise Fails In Nebraska Legislature

Morning Briefing

This “carefully crafted” approach fell short of the needed support, but its backers vow to return next year with a new proposal. News outlets also provide updates on expansion efforts in Nevada, Virginia and Ohio.

First Edition: March 20, 2014

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the GOP is challenging the Obama administration’s authority regarding the health law on various fronts, including the employer mandate delay and the birth control coverage mandate.

A Blip, A Plan, A Hotline … What’s New With The Exchanges?

Morning Briefing

On Tuesday, the federal online marketplace — healthcare.gov — went down for 30 minutes even as officials were pointing out a spike in sign-ups. Meanwhile, news outlets offer reports about the states that are integral to the administration reaching its enrollment target as well as updates from Maryland, Massachusetts, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.

Arrests In Ga. After Medicaid Expansion Protests

Morning Briefing

Several dozen people were arrested Tuesday after protests at the Georgia state capitol targeting Gov. Nathan Deal’s decision to not expand Medicaid under the health law. Elsewhere, Medicaid expansion makes news in New Mexico, New Jersey and California.