Latest KFF Health News Stories
Gallup Poll: Most Americans Want Health Law Repealed Or Cut Back
Gallup says at least half of Americans have felt that way for the last three years.
Congress Closes In On Modest Budget Deal
Officials say negotiators are cobbling together a deal that offsets planned sequester cuts, but which includes none of the big reductions in Medicare or other entitlements sought by Republicans, nor any of the tax increases sought by Democrats. Instead, it includes targeted measures, such as increased fees for airport-security and federal guarantees of private pensions.
U.S. Charges Russian Diplomats With Defrauding Medicaid In N.Y.C.
Federal officials say 49 Russian diplomats or their spouses defrauded Medicaid of about $1.5 million in improperly awarded benefits over ten years.
State Highlights: Va. Readies New Mental Health Changes
State health policy stories from North Carolina and Virginia.
Research Roundup: ‘Substantial’ Medicare Savings From Avoiding ERs
This week’s studies and briefs come from Health Affairs, The New England Journal of Medicine, Rand Corp., JAMA Pediatrics, JAMA Psychiatry, UCLA and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Ky. Gov. Says State Is ‘Gold Standard’ In Implementing Health Law
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear touted his state’s progress on implementing the health law in appearances on Capitol Hill Thursday during which he also urged his state’s Republicans — including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell — to come see how the exchange is working.
First Edition: December 6, 2103
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about how both the federal and state-based health insurance websites are doing.
The White House’s Latest Health Law Campaign Message
The effort highlights popular parts of the overhaul and how it advances President Barack Obama’s vision of upward mobility and economic security.
Obama Seeks To Connect With Young Adults, Encourages Them To Sign Up For Coverage
The 18-35-year-old demographic is seen as key to achieving stability in the new online insurance marketplaces. But reaching this group is no easy task — their interest and support for the health law appears to be waning.
29,000 Americans Enroll Through Healthcare.gov In 2 Days, Says Source
That total exceeds the number who enrolled during the entire month of October, demonstrating that recent fixes have made the website easier to use.
Nation’s Largest Freight Carriers To Offer Health Benefits To Same-Sex Spouses
The Associated Press reports on this development.
The Ambulance Biz Adds To Health Costs, Do Hospital Observation Services Lower Them?
News outlets examine issues ranging from ambulance costs to hospital observation services.
Viewpoints: Coping With Physician Shortage; ‘Righteous’ Hobby Lobby Cause; Enrolling Millenials
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Hopes Dim For Medicare Doctor Payment Fix This Year, Short-Term Patch Is Likely
Lawmakers may be giving up for this year on permanently fixing how Medicare pays doctors as lawmakers propose another patch to temporarily fix the Sustainable Growth Rate. The Ways and Means Committee, however, is readying to markup a bill next week that would permanently fix the SGR.
Senate Leader Reid Exempting Some Staff From Buying Health Insurance On Exchanges
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is exempting some of his staff from buying health care coverage on the health law’s exchanges, a move the law allows but one that few if any top congressional leadership figures have made. Elsewhere, Rep. Darrel Issa says healthcare.gov could cost $1 billion when the site is finally fully operational.
Medicaid Signups May Be Affected By Website Glitches
The federal government has been unable to transfer full Medicaid applications to the 36 states participating in healthcare.gov, potentially leaving some who sign up for Medicaid without coverage. The administration says it will send states partial files for processing, but some state officials are balking. Other Medicaid developments in Wisconsin, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Texas are also covered.
State Highlights: La. Targets Docs Who Steer Patients Into Some Managed Care Plans
A selection of health policy stories from South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and California.
Poll: Only 44 Percent Of Californians Support Health Law
Californians are split on support for the health law. In the meantime, other polls show 66 percent of the uninsured are planning on getting coverage and that the young are more likely to get insured, despite the popular notion that they would shun coverage.
Widely Varying Drug Costs In New Health Plans
The Wall Street Journal explores out-of-pocket drug costs in plans offered on the health law’s exchanges. Other stories probe so called “aggregation rules” that could affect some small businesses and the law’s potential impact on safety-net hospitals and clinics.
Pace Of Health Insurance Applications Picks Up
News outlets in Wisconsin and Minnesota report increases in applications for coverage through new online marketplaces. But baby boomers, as opposed to so-called “young invincibles,” dominate sign-ups in Colorado, while in California, Democratic lawmakers worry a lookalike website set up by Republican lawmakers will lead some applicants astray.
