Latest KFF Health News Stories
Will Embrace Of Medicaid Expansion Hurt Some GOP Presidential Hopefuls?
Some Republican governors said to have presidential aspirations, including Chris Christie of New Jersey and John Kasich of Ohio, have expanded the program in their own states, even as the party tries to unravel the law. Meanwhile, New Hampshire’s Republican Senate blocked efforts to expand the program, Montana expansion advocates work to put the issue to voters and Maine’s hiring of a conservative consultant to study the issue gets scrutiny.
This week’s studies come from JAMDA, George Washington University, the National Center for Health Statistics, the Urban Institute, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Georgetown University, Mathematica and news outlets.
First Edition: November 22, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Obama administration will push back 2015 Obamacare enrollment by a month, starting Nov. 15, 2014, instead of Oct. 15, 2014.
White House Struggles With Health Law Messaging
As President Barack Obama is pilloried for the rocky rollout of the law, the White House struggles with how to refocus the public’s attention, since some of the strongest arguments for the law are longer-term benefits that are harder to comprehend.
State Regulators Share Insurance ‘Fix’ Concerns With Obama
In a meeting at the White House Wednesday, a group of state insurance commissioners expressed concerns about President Barack Obama’s proposal to extend canceled plans for one year that don’t meet the requirements of the health law. Both sides acknowledged that each state must come to its own decision about how to proceed.
Healthcare.gov: It’s Getting Better All The Time — But System Flaws, Failures Persist
Some states and insurers are contemplating alternatives if the website isn’t ready by a critical December deadline. Meanwhile, just as Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was talking up the website in Florida, it crashed before her eyes.
New Medicaid ‘Doughnut Hole’ Creating Some Pressure On States, Federal Officials
Health law advocates are concerned about the low-income residents who are left out of health overhaul in states that are not expanding Medicaid. Meanwhile, in other states, new enrollment in the joint federal-state program is strong.
The Wall Street Journal reports on the latest developments regarding this federal inquiry.
Narrow Choices For Doctors And Hospitals Could Keep Costs Down But Add To Consumer Concerns
The Associated Press offers examples of limited networks that exclude some of the most prestigious hospitals in the Chicago and New York City areas.
Oregon Insurance Exchange Never Worked, Officials Questioned On Problems
Oregon residents are facing a state health exchange application deadline in two weeks to get coverage at the beginning of 2014, even as the online aspect of the marketplace still doesn’t work — and never did. In the meantime, Oregon lawmakers question officials on the exchange’s problems and when they knew about them.
GOP Formulates New Attack Strategy To Swell Opposition To Health Law
Republicans are planning new health law attacks with an arsenal of tactics including issuing talking points to members and hammering Obama administration officials at hearings all in an attempt to further unravel the law.
How The Health Law Is Playing In The States
The Washington Post offers a table documenting how the overhaul is doing while USA Today chronicles successes and failures in three specific states.
State Highlights: N.Y. Hospitals Scramble To Sign Uninsured Up For Care
A selection of health policy stories from New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Kansas and Georgia.
Proposed Cancellation ‘Fix’ May Have Limited Reach
It remains unclear how many consumers may be affected because some state regulators and insurers are unlikely to go along. Meanwhile, in congressional testimony, an administration official placed the blame for the canceled policies on insurers, saying they had the opportunity to extend grandfathered plans.
Commentators weigh in on the continuing troubles in the health law rollout.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Parents’ Crusade On Rare Diseases; Fighting Obesity
This week’s articles come from The Wall Street Journal, Medium, The New York Times, Marketplace, Time and Al Jazeera.
First Edition: November 21, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about President Barack Obama’s White House meeting with state insurance regulators.
Obama Seeks To Redirect Some Of The Blame For Health Law Difficulties Toward Republicans
Speaking Tuesday to the Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council, President Barack Obama talked about the challenges his administration has faced recently — and still faces in the future — regarding the roll-out of the health overhaul.
Administration Tech Official Says About 40% Of Healthcare.gov Remains To Be Built
Henry Chao, who has overseen much of the work on healthcare.gov, said much of the “back office” work, including the system to send insurers their payments, has not been completed.
