Latest KFF Health News Stories
This week’s articles come from Health Affairs, The New York Times, The Atlantic and The Weekly Standard.
Today’s headlines from major new organizations, including several previewing how the online health insurance website is expected to work after the Obama administration’s deadline this weekend for fixes.
Supreme Court Will Decide Health Law Contraception Challenge
The justices will review provisions in the Affordable Care Act requiring employers of a certain size to offer insurance coverage for birth control and other reproductive health services without a co-pay.
FDA Orders Halt To Marketing For DNA Test Kit
The agency says the tests haven’t been proven effective.
Tactics To Sell The Health Law: Moms And Local News
The administration, as well as insurers and advocacy groups, will rely on several tactics to sell the public on the health law, appealing to mothers to recruit their adult children and seeking positive news coverage from local, rather than national, media. Community groups, meanwhile, are encountering challenges in enrolling Latinos, reports The Chicago Tribune.
Medical Advances, Teaching Hospital Procedures Inflate Health Care Costs
Hospitals are examining “post-intensive-care syndrome” and other elements of their procedures to measure the impact on their bottom lines.
In addition, a Colorado lawmaker is fuming over “racy” ads to promote the state health insurance exchange.
Health Law Coverage Bringing Changes To An Array Of Consumers
News outlets explore some of these issues, including new costs for people with “Cadillac” coverage, “narrow networks” of doctors and other health providers, new options for part-time workers and unexpected effects on smokers. In the meantime, exchanges are bracing for a busy December, and Covered California launches a hotline to help people having sign-up problems.
Troubled Effort To Devise New Cholesterol Guidelines
The New York Times explores what went wrong as a group of doctors struggled to find common ground on how heart issues should be treated. Other stories also look at consumer frustration about a landmark settlement on hip implants and concerns being reviewed by the FDA about emergency contraceptive pills.
Anthem Blue Cross Exposes 24,500 Doctors’ Social Security, Tax Numbers
Data breaches in Vermont and in Oregon’s health insurance exchanges also make news.
Chances For Small-Bore Budget Deal Said To Improve
Despite a polarized Congress, The Associated Press reports that the prospects for a modest, end-of-year budget deal are looking up. Neither party would achieve its biggest priority with such an agreement, however.
Medicaid Expansion: Florida Stalls; Ohio Lawsuits; Kansas Hospitals Weigh In
States dominated by Republican governors and legislatures continue to wrestle with decisions about expanding Medicaid to poor people who don’t currently qualify.
Miami-Area Seniors Get ‘White-Glove’ Treatment From Private Plans
The Miami Herald reports that seniors in South Florida have benefited from the highly lucrative and super competitive world of privately managed Medicare Advantage plans.
Administration: Healthcare.gov On Target To Work For Most By Nov. 30
Administration officials and consumer advocates say that the enrollment website serving residents of 36 states is becoming easier for people to use, but insurers warn that flaws continue to hinder health plans.
After Son’s Death, Virginia Official Vows To Help Change State’s Mental Health System
Former gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds, who was stabbed repeatedly by his son before the young man took his own life, says, “I am alive for a reason, and I will work for change.”
A selection of editorials and opinions from news organizations around the country.
First Edition: November 26, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including examinations of health law impacts on insurers’ networks of doctors, appeals to mothers to convince their children to enroll and a new press strategy by the administration.
Healthcare.gov Progress Reports And Post-Mortems
A KHN report looks forward about what is next in the queue in efforts to fix the website — including possible fixes that would allow insurers and web-based brokers to enroll customers directly into subsidized coverage. Meanwhile, other news outlets analyze the factors that contributed to the balky rollout. Still, Obama administration officials stay positive.
Administration Moves Health Plan Sign-Ups To Mid-November In 2015
On Friday, the Obama administration announced that starting next year, it will push back the start of the sign-up period for those buying insurance until mid-November, rather than mid-October. Republicans called the shift a blatantly political move. The White House also pushed back this year’s deadline — to Dec. 23 from Dec. 15 — for coverage that takes effect Jan. 1.
Enforcement Of Health Law Mandate A ‘Crucial Test’ For IRS
The Washington Post reports that enforcing the requirement that almost all Americans have health insurance represents the biggest boost in the agency’s responsibilities in decades. A USA Today story looks at how the analysis of large data sets, such as medication usage or hospital readmissions, is being driven by industry trends as well as the health law, and is enabling providers and policymakers to make smarter decisions.
