Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Estimates A Third Of Uninsured Won’t Enroll In Health Plans
The Fiscal Times reports that the study by Bankrate.com shows government outreach efforts are falling short. Meanwhile, news outlets look at enrollment efforts in New Jersey, Montana, Maine, Washington, Pennsylvania, Ohio and California.
House Ties ‘Doc Fix’ To A Delay In The Individual Mandate
The Senate is expected to refuse to accept the Republican plan to fix the way Medicare pays doctors and that could fray a bipartisan effort to find a long-term solution to the problem.
Sickest May Keep ‘High-Risk’ Coverage For Additional Month, Officials Say
The program to cover those with pre-existing health conditions was initially set to expire at the end of 2013, but officials have extended it for the third time.
White House To Expand Federal Marketplace Plan Standards in 2015, Broaden Choices
The Obama administration will rely less on state insurance regulators and private groups in determining which plans will meet standards to sell insurance on the federal marketplace.
NRA Opposition May Sink Obama Pick For Surgeon General
Intense lobbying by the National Rifle Association has made Senate confirmation of Dr. Vivek Murthy difficult, if not impossible, media outlets report. Murthy has advocated for stricter gun control laws, calling it a public health issue.
Virginia Business, Hospital Groups Launch Ads Promoting Medicaid Compromise
The radio promotion is trying to drum up support for a private option plan that would help insure thousands of low-income residents. Gov. Terry McAuliffe also is barnstorming around the state seeking to put pressure on Republican lawmakers who are opposed to the expansion of Medicaid.
A selection of health policy stories from North Dakota, Arkansas, Connecticut, New York, California, Missouri, Arizona and Minnesota.
Obama: Enough People Have Signed Up — Health Law Will Work
In a Friday interview with WebMD, President Barack Obama offered assurances that the health law’s new marketplaces have had enough customers to ensure that insurance companies will stay in the system.
Colon Cancer Rates Plunge After Screenings Increase, Study Reports
As use of colonoscopy has increased, the number of colon cancer diagnoses dropped 30 percent in the past decade in Americans over the age of 50.
Viewpoints: The Lesson From Florida’s Special Election; Hospital Deaths; Costs Of Treating Hep C
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 about new health coverage rules and guidance announced by the Obama administration.
RNC Chair Says Health Law Is ‘Poison” For Democrats
Democrats are reviewing their political strategy after the surprising loss of a special congressional election in Florida last week. Although the GOP is making health care a key target in the mid-term elections, the White House says it will not delay the individual mandate.
Rule Raises More Questions About The Individual Mandate’s Reach
News outlets report that a hardship exemption was added that could potentially make it much easier for people to get around the requirement that they have health insurance.
When It Comes To Enrollment Rates, Some States, Regions Outpace Others
The Washington Post notes that the Northeast appears to be doing the best with enrollment, but western states are doing well with implementation. Still, state marketplace directors are predicting strong gains in health insurance coverage. Meanwhile, Republicans are pushing hard to find out how many new enrollees have actually paid their premiums.
Lawsuit Shines Light On Doctor-Device Maker Relationship
The Wall Street Journal looks at a lawsuit that is revealing just how doctors — and thusly consumers — are influenced by device makers. And Google moves into the emergency room.
GOP, Former Mass. Sen. Brown Eye New Hampshire Seat
In Nebraska, a Republican Senate candidate opposing the health law once consulted for firms trying to implement it.
GOP Triumph In Florida Sets Anti-Obamacare Strategy
Congressional Republicans plan to build on their victory in the Florida special election this week by extending their campaign against Obamacare to races across the nation. Democrats, meanwhile, embark on a large-scale public opinion survey to try to blunt that strategy.
Calif. Reports More Than 900,000 People Have Signed Up For Health Plans
But officials note that the number of Latinos and young people enrolling on the state marketplace is still below expectations. Meanwhile, the troubled Maryland exchange is reportedly gearing up to adopt the technology used by Connecticut.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Eligibility; Tracking Discontinued Randomized Trials
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the Journal of the American Medical Association, The Urban Institute, The Kaiser Family Foundation and JAMA Neurology.
