Latest KFF Health News Stories
Early Enrollment Numbers Far Below Administration Targets
The projections, which put the total number of enrollees so far at fewer than 50,000 people, are just a fraction of the tally the Obama administration initially was hoping for.
Insurers Push For Workaround That Would Allow Them To Directly Enroll People
The New York Times reports on this push, which is one of several ways some are discussing to get around the current technology problems plaguing the Obama administration’s enrollment effort. Also in the news, The Wall Street Journal reports that some of these difficulties are trickling down from the federal online insurance marketplace to certain state exchanges.
For vulnerable House Democrats, the task of blunting criticism of the overhaul is especially important. Meanwhile, House Republicans have a plan to keep playing offense on the issue, with a number of votes planned this week.
Challenge Of Signing Up Young Adults; Subsidies Key To Insurance Decisions
NewsHour looks at the efforts in Wisconsin to interest the “young invincibles” in health care coverage. Meanwhile, news organizations in Connecticut and Minnesota look at the complicated calculations for premium subsidies.
Searching For A Fix To The Canceled Policy Problem
Politico reports that finding a fix that won’t disrupt the insurance market is no easy task. Meanwhile, in California, Anthem Blue Cross has announced that it will grant a two-month extension to a portion of its canceled policyholders.
Unlike Health Law Counterparts, Young Adults Can’t Stay On TRICARE To Age 26
Young adult dependents are not allowed to stay on TRICARE until age 26 unlike under the health law, Fox News reports. Some health law fine print means states have significant leeway in deciding how much or how little dental coverage to offer to children.
Senate Compounding Pharmacy Oversight Bill Faces ‘Obamacare’ Test
A Senate vote is planned for Tuesday on whether the federal government can exercise tighter control of compounding pharmacies like the one that killed more than 60 people last year. The vote faces an “Obamacare” hurdle, however, from Sen. David Vitter, R-La.
Tech Companies Ready New Tools To Cash In On Health Law Enrollment
Tech companies are preparing new software and apps to cash in on the million of Americans who will soon be making insurance decisions for the first time. In the meantime, how three 20-somethings were able to get an insurance-shopping website up and running when more than 50 contractors could not.
Lawmakers Face Their Own Health Law Reality: Navigating The Online Exchanges
Lawmakers and some of their aides are preparing to navigate the health law’s online insurance exchanges to buy coverage. An Alaskan senator is declining the employer contribution subsidy to buy coverage, and some senators will ask for a full investigation of the troubled startup of Healthcare.gov.
Oversight Investigation Turns Up CMS Memo About ‘High’ Website Security Risks
But news outlets are reporting that the project manager working on the healthcare.gov website was not made aware of these issues.
The Associated Press reports on the larger enrollment in states that are expanding their Medicaid programs. However, The New York Times points out that the snags on the marketplace websites may be holding up thousands of others who will be eligible for the state-federal program for low-income people.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, the District of Columbia and California.
Insuring Your Health: Prevention Programs For People Without Insurance Still Play Key Role
Although the health law could expand coverage to millions, many low-income people and others will not have insurance and will still have to rely on these programs for preventive care.
First Edition: November 12, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports and analysis about the number of people — an amount far fewer than the administration’s target — who enrolled during October in a health plan through the health law’s online insurance marketplaces.
GOP Sees Potential In Health Law’s Problems, As Roll-Out Takes Toll On Obama’s Ratings
Even as Republican lawmakers took a hard line during the weekend talk shows, Democrats still maintain the measure will, in the end, be a political advantage.
Zients Warned Years Ago About Problems With Federal IT
News outlets report on the various approaches being taken to healthcare.gov’s problems.
Health Law Overview: At The State Level, Divided Gov’t Still Appears To Function
Some states have had more success striking compromises that expand health insurance coverage.
State Highlights: Wide Variation In Indigent Care Among California Counties, Report Finds
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Oregon and Iowa.
More Numbers Expected This Week On October Health Law Enrollment
In related news, The New York Times reports that state and federal exchanges are using “happy talk” to market the new health coverage options available through the online insurance marketplaces, but they rarely mention the penalty. Other news outlets report on developments from Maryland, Oregon and Colorado.
