Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Hepatitis C Drug Fuels Cost Debate
A panel of experts said this week that the drug represents a “low value” to the health system because of its cost.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories about the Obama administration’s latest Obamacare sign up tallies and the outcome of a Florida special election that was marked by health law themes.
Administration Reverses Course On Proposed Medicare Drug Changes
After advancing a number of changes to the Medicare Part D program earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services withdrew its plan, which had drawn significant opposition from patients, drug companies and lawmakers in both parties.
As Enrollment Deadline Looms, Subsidies Still Confuse Some Consumers
The Wall Street Journal unveils a calculator to help explain these tax credits, or subsidies, while the CT Mirror looks at last-minute consumer questions.
Legal Concerns Raised Over Making Medicaid Recipients Work In Missouri
Elsewhere, some business groups enlist help to get their states to expand the program. Also, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urges Georgia’s governor to accept the expansion, which also makes news in New Hampshire and Utah.
Senate Dems Launch Counterattack On Koch Brothers
Charles and David Koch have underwritten millions of dollars’ worth of ads criticizing Democratic candidates on the federal health law and their ties to President Barack Obama. Meanwhile, The Washington Post’s fact checker gives one of those ads claiming a cancer patient had lost her “wonderful doctor” three Pinocchios.
GOP To Vote Friday On Tying Medicare Doctor Pay Fix To Repeal Of Health Law’s Insurance Mandate
The strategy could force Democrats into a difficult vote.
Cancer Doctors Push For Payment Changes
Also, some health companies are trying to improve patient outcomes by using predictive software to deliver care more efficiently, and a company lost another court decision to patent a genetic test.
Uninsured Rate Hits Lowest Point In Five Years
According to a Gallup survey released Monday, the health law appears to be achieving its central goal — reducing the number of Americans without insurance. But NBC News reports that Latinos continue to be more likely to be uninsured than white or black Americans.
HHS Inspector General To Examine Maryland’s Troubled Health Exchange
Rep. Andy Harris, the state’s only Republican member of Congress, requested the investigation even as lawmakers from both parties — who have used the difficulties of the online insurance marketplace in the run up to this year’s gubernatorial election — say they welcome the review. News outlets also track developments in California, New York, Missouri, Hawaii, Georgia, Colorado and South Carolina.
Viewpoints: Exploiting Botched Exchanges; Falling Number Of Uninsured; Medicare Drug Plan Retreat
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Parsing The ACA’s Impact On Farmers, Community Health Centers
Farmers, who often rely on individual policies, may find it easier to get routine medical care through policies sold on the health law’s online exchanges. Meanwhile, community health centers face reduced federal support in fiscal 2016, and the battle over the law’s contraception mandate highlights a dispute over whether certain forms of birth control prevent conception or destroy a fertilized egg.
State Highlights: Calif. Insurer Satisfaction; Md. Mental Health Legislation
A selection of health policy stories from California, West Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut and Minnesota.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is stepping back from proposed changes to the Medicare drug program.
Survey Credits Health Law For Lowered Uninsured Rate
News outlets report on implementation issues including the declining rate of uninsured people, confusion created by recent administrative changes and a union’s assertion that the law will increase inequality.
With Three Weeks To Go, The Sign-Up Push Is On
News outlets report on the creative outreach efforts, including those geared to moms, young people and Latinos, to increase the number of newly insured people before March 31. Even prison inmates are signing up.
Florida Could Be Bellwether State For Obamacare Election Strategies
Both parties are trying out messages in Tuesday’s special election for a House seat. And former Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running again, is also in the news.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Massachusetts Looks To Other States For Website Fixes
Among possible ways to resolve the continuing issues, state officials are contemplating the possibility of buying or leasing technology from states where the online insurance marketplace is working. They also are considering scrapping the current website and starting over. News outlets also track developments in Maryland, California and Illinois.
