Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

House GOP Health Plan Still Long Way Off

Morning Briefing

Politico examines the difficulties for Republicans in Congress as they weigh offering a health reform plan. Meanwhile, The Fiscal Times highlights four fixes that would help the current law.

Some Well-Known Cancer Centers Are Not Included In Many Obamacare Plan Networks

Morning Briefing

An Associated Press survey finds examples across the country of renowned medical centers left off plans. Meanwhile, other news outlets report on implementation issues related to young people as well as premium costs.

Sign-Up Surge Brings Health Law’s Enrollment Tally To 5 Million

Morning Briefing

In the past two weeks, an estimated 800,000 people have used the health law’s online marketplaces to select health insurance. But doubts persist as to whether the number of enrollees will come close to the Obama administration’s latest target, and questions continue about how many of these shoppers have actually paid their premiums.

In Texas, Enrollment Push Lags

Morning Briefing

Although the number of uninsured is high in the Lone Star State, concerns about cost and opposition to the law have stymied efforts to get people to sign up for policies on the online marketplace.

House Democrats Ask Treasury To Help Domestic Violence Victims Get Health Subsidies

Morning Briefing

Advocates for domestic violence victims and chronically ill people urge the Obama administration to issue rules enabling them to enroll in subsidized insurance. Meanwhile, doctors say they shouldn’t be left holding the bag for new health plan enrollees who have 90-day grace periods.

Former La. Gov. Edwin Edwards Is Running For Congress

Morning Briefing

The once disgraced politician says expanding health care accessibility will be a key part of his campaign. He finds fault with part of the health law but is more critical of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s decision not to expand Medicaid.

Obama Administration Highlights ‘Sweet Sixteen’ Bracket Full Of Reasons To Get Health Insurance

Morning Briefing

The White House is hoping to attract the interest of young people in the health law’s coverage options by using unorthodox approaches such as linking insurance to March Madness and reaching out to “digital influencers.”

First Edition: March 18, 2014

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Obama administration announcement that more than 5 million people have enrolled in coverage under the health law — an increase of about 800,000 in the last two weeks.

Maine’s New Co-Op Plan Wins 80 Percent Of Market Share

Morning Briefing

In Maine, a new startup beats a well-known Blue Cross plan in the competition for enrollees, while enrollment in Oregon’s exchange continues despite the website’s troubles. The success of California’s exchange, meanwhile, is marred by slow progress in reaching Latinos and young people.

Administration Eyes ‘The Big Dance’ As Opportunity To Sell Obamacare Health Plans

Morning Briefing

Officials will launch a marketing campaign in conjunction with the NCAA college basketball tournaments — events they view as offering great potential for reaching young people and urging them to get health insurance.