Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Oregon Struggles To Clear Health Insurance Exchange’s High-Tech Hurdle

Morning Briefing

Oregon’s state-based health law online insurance exchange is still struggling in its quest to sign people up, and officials there are using paper applications to get the job done — a time-consuming task. Exchanges also make news in Kentucky, California, Mississippi and Washington state.

Obamacare ‘Navigators’ Hope For Do-Over

Morning Briefing

The groups charged with helping people sign up for health coverage are looking for a fresh start after experiencing the same difficulties getting plan information as many consumers. Other stories look at the challenges of enrolling Spanish-speaking consumers, as well as those living in rural areas.

Medicare Looks To Narrow Discrepancy On What It Spends In Different Parts Of U.S.

Morning Briefing

Medicare wants to narrow the discrepancy on what it spends on some health services in different parts of the country. In the meantime, UnitedHealthcare is dropping hundreds of doctors from its Medicare Advantage plans and the Government Accountability Office says Medicare doesn’t know how well its contractors’ anti-fraud efforts are working.

First Edition: December 2, 2013

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major new organizations, including reports about healthcare.gov’s status, the challenges that lie ahead and the concerns being expressed by consumers and insurers.

Nearly 400,000 Poor Americans Flock To Expanded Medicaid

Morning Briefing

The Washington Post reports the rollout of the law’s expanded Medicaid program appears to be ‘the silver lining’ in the health law’s implementation — signups of nearly 400,000 people appear to be going smoothly. Meanwhile, news outlets cover Medicaid developments in Wisconsin, Ohio and South Carolina.

Doctors Tell White House About Their Health Law Concerns; New Insurance Regulations Raise Some Flags

Morning Briefing

At a meeting Tuesday, physician groups said they are worried that insurance plans on the health care website offer only limited networks of providers and cut reimbursement rates for doctors. Also, regulations released this week come under scrutiny.

Political Playbooks Direct Lawmakers To Find Obamacare ‘Stories’

Morning Briefing

Lawmakers are being urged by their respective parties to publicize constituents’ experiences with Obamacare — horror stories, in the case of Republicans, and success stories showing the law “delivering on its promise” for Democrats. Meanwhile, a CNN/ORC poll shows that Democrats have lost their post-government shutdown lead among registered voters in a generic ballot.

Supreme Court To Hear Arguments On Health Law’s Contraceptive Coverage Mandate

Morning Briefing

The justices accepted a pair of cases that raise questions not just about religious freedom and equality for female employees, but whether the religious beliefs of the owners of secular corporations allows them to not comply with a law.

Consumers Urged To Give Healthcare.gov Another Try — Just Not Too Many Of Them

Morning Briefing

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday that healthcare.gov is “improved every day.” But the administration delayed a big marketing campaign planned for December and is asking allies to hold back their enrollment pushes to avoid a crush of new users.

Marketplace News: Private Health Insurance Exchanges; Health Costs Rise For Big Firms

Morning Briefing

Issues in the health care marketplace make news: Private health care exchanges, not the ones associated with the health law, are becoming more prominent. In addition, health care costs for large businesses in Los Angeles rise 4.5 percent.