Latest KFF Health News Stories
Supreme Court To Examine Abortion Clinics’ ‘Protest-Free’ Zones
The court will hear arguments this week over whether the 35-foot buffer zone around the entrance of Massachusetts abortion clinics is an infringement on free speech.
Wyden’s Finance Committee To-Do List Includes Various Health Policy Issues
The Wall Street Journal outlines how Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the likely successor to Sen. Max Baucus as leader of the Senate Finance Committee, is likely to approach various health issues. Also in the news, GOP senators take various weekend opportunities to speak out against the health law.
House Votes To Boost Health Website’s Security
House Republicans were joined by 67 Democrats to send to the Senate legislation requiring the government to inform consumers within two days of a security breach in the insurance marketplaces.
State Highlights: Va. Gov. Calls For Medicaid Expansion; States Examine Paid Sick Leave
A selection of health policy stories from New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virginia, Connecticut, California and New Mexico.
More GOP Governors Give Medicaid Expansion Another Look
Politico reports that while Republican governors in Texas and Louisiana remain firmly in the no camp, others in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana and Oklahoma are giving the program a second look. News outlets also offer updates from Florida, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Georgia.
O’Malley Defends Md. Exchange Despite Reports That Officials Ignored Warnings
News outlets also report on developments from Florida, Oregon, California and Minnesota.
Commentators offer their perspectives on the federal health law.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Accenture Tapped To Take Over Efforts To Fix Healthcare.gov
CGI, the company that was responsible for the construction of the federal health insurance website, will be replaced next month when its government contract to run the online portal ends.
Early Numbers Show Lagging Enrollment Of Young Adults
A Reuters analysis of data from October and November for the District of Columbia and seven states running their own insurance marketplaces indicates that 18- to 34-year-olds were a smaller percentage of enrollees than had been projected. Also in the news, a look at how small businesses and student health plans are faring under the law.
Insurers Complain Of Slow Payments; Enrollees Wait
News outlets report on consumers struggling to prove they have enrolled in coverage and on insurers wondering when and if they will get paid.
First Edition: January 13, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about how the health law’s enrollment process is working and about the federal government’s decision not to renew the contract for the company that was overseeing the repairs for healthcare.gov.
Most Uninsured Unaware Of Tax Credits, Survey Finds
More than two-thirds of uninsured Americans don’t know they might be eligible for financial assistance to buy health coverage and therefore haven’t visited new online marketplaces, according to a survey of the uninsured released Thursday by Enroll America, a nonprofit with close ties to the Obama administration. Meanwhile, media outlets report on developments in Oregon, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Minnesota.
Medicaid Expansion News: Wis. Gov. Wins Federal Nod For Controversial Plan
Gov. Scott Walker announces that the Obama administration has agreed to his plan that would expand coverage to 83,000 low-income childless adults but shift 77,000 others to the health law’s new insurance marketplace.
Maryland Moves Forward With Bold Hospital Spending Plan
Some say the deal will eventually change the way hospitals in all the states are paid for delivering health care and could become a national model for controlling health care costs.
Observation Care Status: The High Costs Of This Fine Print
NBC News explores this Medicare issue.
Sen. Reid’s Plan To Cut Payments To Medicare Providers Sets Up Showdown On Jobless Aid
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s proposal to pay for reinstating jobless benefits by extending $17 billion in so-called sequestration cuts has set up a fight with Republicans. The Reid plan would cut Medicare provider pay — but not until 2024.
Could The High Court Be Divided Over Contraception Case?
The Los Angeles Times reports on this possibility.
House To Vote Today On GOP’s Healthcare.gov Security Bill
Consideration of the measure, which would require the Obama administration to notify Americans within 48 hours if their identity is compromised via the Obamacare website, is a part of the GOP’s strategy to keep their focus on troubling parts of the health law.
Fact-Checking Rand Paul’s Claims; GOP Attacks Sen. Udall’s Insurance Cancellation Numbers
Politicians’ assertions about the health law come under scrutiny.
