Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: December 24, 2013
The early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the administration’s efforts to deal with the crush of people seeking to sign up for health care Monday.
White House: Consumers Have Extra Day To Sign Up For Plans
The administration extended the deadline for Obamacare policies through Christmas Eve.
States, Feds Struggle To Enroll Consumers In Health Coverage
Officials attempting to enroll people for coverage through the health law’s exchanges are facing education challenges, website headaches and a deadline of today to get people signed up for Jan. 1 coverage. News outlets provide snapshots in Colorado, California, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Minnesota, Texas, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Native Americans Fight Government Over Hospital Compensation
Federal contractors, worried that it could set a precedent, are joining their cause.
A selection of health policy stories from Minnesota, California and New York.
Whom Do Americans Want Care From? Doctors Or Other Practitioners?
Also, doctors who provide personalized care organized themselves into a new group.
Hazards of Dietary Supplements, New Birth Control Device Explored
Dietary supplements account for nearly 20 percent of drug-related liver injuries reported by hospitals, according to The New York Times, while a surge in adverse event reports about Essure, a device hailed as next generation birth control, is explored by the Chicago Tribune. NPR looks at the increase in newborn screening tests.
Racial Divide For Breast Cancer Survival Widens
Despite numerous advances in the screening and treatment of breast cancer, black women are still far more likely to die of the disease than white women.
Keeping Firearms Out Of The Hands Of The Mentally Ill
The New York Times reports on the challenge of keeping firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill, while The Wall Street Journal explores the difficulty finding treatment for many people because of a lack of providers in many places.
Young Adults Remain A Focus Of Insurance Marketplace Outreach
This key demographic is needed to help keep insurance costs lower.
Court Gives Ohio Gov. Kasich Gets Green Light For Medicaid Expansion
Elsewhere, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signs bill to postpone changes to BadgerCare, and Pennsylvania officials seek support for Gov. Tom Corbett’s “Healthy Pennsylvania” plan.
Two Different Rulings On Health Law’s Contraceptive Rule
A judge in Oklahoma ruled against the insurance coverage requirement, while a Washington judge ruled against the Catholic Church.
Fears Of Website Instability As Deadline Nears
Also, The Washington Post looked into the company that built healthcare.gov.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
As Consumers Enroll In Marketplace Plans, Questions Remain For Many
Questions remain about insurance pricing, the cost of reform to taxpayers, and who is and isn’t covered by the employer mandate.
Insurers Unnerved By Rule Changes For Consumers With Canceled Policies
The Obama administration’s announcement last week that consumers whose policies had been canceled could buy catastrophic health plans and were also exempt from the law’s mandate in the first year spurred handwringing in some quarters.
Monday’s Deadline To Buy Coverage Leaves Many Scrambling
People who want policies in place by Jan. 1 face a deadline today, but a series of changes in how the health law is being implemented has complicated the process for consumers and insurers.
First Edition: December 23, 2013
The early morning highlights from the major news organizations examine today’s deadline for enrolling for health insurance that would begin Jan. 1, as well as a variety of other health law stories and several articles on mental health issues.
Manchin Says Health Law Could Be Heading Toward ‘Meltdown’
West Virginia Democrat says that coverage is more expensive and not as comprehensive as people expected and could turn public opinion against it. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Tom Coburn says GOP should start talking about solutions.
President: ‘Screwed Up’ Healthcare.gov But Notes ‘More Than A Million’ New Insured
In his news conference today, President Barack Obama said that the launch of the insurance website was his biggest mistake of the year.
