Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
State Highlights: Wash. State Cost And Quality Bills; Okla. Privatized Medicaid
A selection of health policy stories from Washington state, Oklahoma, Florida, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Georgia.
Accommodations Sought For Chronically Ill, Victims Of Domestic Violence
Advocates press for help for thousands of consumers with pre-existing illnesses who face a March 31 closure of high-risk insurance pools and also for married victims of domestic abuse to allow them to qualify for subsidized coverage. Meanwhile, the administration signals that, because health plans have seen added costs caused by the troubled rollout of the health exchanges, the government may relax a requirement that insurers spend 80 percent of all premium dollars on medical care because of their added expense due to the troubled rollout of the exchanges.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about which states are doing well with health law enrollment and implementation, and which ones are not.
Officials Look For Budget Fixes For Minnesota’s Insurance Exchange
In Minnesota, a proposed budget indicates that some officials want to spend $12.5 million to continue repairing the marketplace website and call center as well as spend $5 million in grants next year when the exchange is supposed to be self-sufficient.
Va. Officials Using Two-Week Respite To Bolster Arguments On Medicaid Expansion
The state’s legislature adjourned without a budget because of arguments over growing the program for low income residents, and lawmakers will come back to try again March 24. Meanwhile, state efforts on similar questions also make news in Maryland, Georgia and Maine.
