Latest KFF Health News Stories
Administration Offers Fix For Consumers Tangled Up In Health Exchange Flaws
Late last week, the Obama administration announced that some people who, because of technical issues, sought health coverage through the private market — not the health law’s online insurance marketplaces — would still be able to get tax subsidies.
Prospects For Bipartisan Budget Deal Seen As Dim
As President Barack Obama prepares to release his budget proposal Tuesday, he is expected to reverse course on efforts to curb spending on Social Security. House Republicans, meanwhile, plan to release a proposal that would make sweeping changes to antipoverty programs, including Medicaid.
Tom Daschle, With Group Of Former Senators, Focuses On Telehealth Rules
The Washington Post reported on this telehealth development.
Republicans Aim At Senate Seats Using Health Law Stances
The GOP is showing signs it intends to go even further to use the health law to win or retain Senate seats this election cycle.
In Virginia, Budget Negotiators Still Wrestling With Medicaid Expansion Plan
Virginia legislators must come to terms on the state budget blueprint by the legislative session’s scheduled March 8 conclusion. The expansion debate also stays hot in Utah and Arkansas.
State Highlights: Fla. Restaurant’s Health Law Surcharge
A selection of health policy stories from Florida, California, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Clinton Papers Offer Window Into Failed Health Reform Effort
Some of the 4,000 pages of previously confidential Clinton administration documents, released Friday by the National Archives, chronicle Hillary Clinton’s efforts to overhaul the health system.
Shoppers Confront More Glitches, Frustrations From State Health Exchanges
Whether it is long waits for marketplace helplines or news that some people in California will have to redo their applications, problems persist. News outlets offer more examples and updates with reports from Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Georgia and Colorado.
Costly New Hepatitis C Drug Raises Questions About Who Will Pay
The new hepatitis C medication presents a dilemma for Medicaid and other insurers, who must balance the cost against the large numbers of people who might benefit. A single course of treatment costs $84,000.
Viewpoints: Frightening Seniors; Regulating E-Cigarettes; Waiting For Black Lung Drugs
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Plan To Revamp Medicare Drug Plans Meets Resistance
A bipartisan group of senators is criticizing the Obama administration’s efforts to make significant changes to Part D drug plans.
Upper-Bracket Homeowners Who Make Profits On Home Sales Begin Feeling Effect Of Health Law Tax
The controversial tax became effective Jan. 1, 2013. It kicks in for couples who make more than $500,000 in profit on a primary residence sale and single people who make more than $250,000. In other health law implementation news, media outlets report on issues that might impact small businesses, physicians and married couples.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories detailing ongoing challenges with state-run exchanges as well as previews of what’s next regarding the federal budget process.
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that chronically ill consumers who obtain coverage from the online insurance marketplaces may still face high drug costs despite the health law’s ban on discriminatory insurance practices. Also, news outlets report on Time magazine’s cover story that details how the Obama administration almost shutdown healthcare.gov during its early, fitful days.
In States With Failing Exchanges, CMS Opens Door To Retroactive Premium Subsidies
A ruling by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will make it possible for consumers in some states to get federal subsidies even when they buy insurance outside of the Obamacare insurance marketplaces.
Republicans Block Senate Bill To Expand Veterans’ Benefits
Republican senators expressed concerns about how the bill would be funded.
CBO: Republican ‘Fix’ To Health Law Would Hurt Coverage, Cost $74 Billion
The Congressional Budget Office report comes out as House Speaker John Boehner discusses whether there’s a future for a GOP bill.
GOP Signals It Would Attack Hillary Clinton On Health Care
The Wall Street Journal reports that Republican strategists say they would target Clinton’s stance on health care, should she run for president.
Ads Critical Of The Health Law Trigger Attacks And Counter Attacks
The Washington Post fact checks another Americans for Prosperity ad featuring a so-called “Obamacare” victim, and the AFP president responded to criticism waged at the group by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Utah Gov. Rejects Full Medicaid Expansion, Opts Instead For ‘Private’ Plan
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert unveiled a proposal that would use federal money to help qualifying state residents buy private health insurance and would, he said, keep the state in control of the program. In Virginia, the political back-and-forth over expanding the program continues.
