Latest KFF Health News Stories
Physicians Voice Concerns About What The Health Law Will Bring In January
News outlets report on some of the specific issues that are causing physician organizations to worry.
Obamacare ‘Navigators’ Hope For Do-Over
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.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Medicare Looks To Narrow Discrepancy On What It Spends In Different Parts Of U.S.
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.
State Highlights: States Push Mental Health Spending After Sandy Hook
A selection of health policy stories from the states including news from Connecticut and Wisconsin.
First Edition: December 2, 2013
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.
Administration Gives Positive Progress Report On Health Care Website Fixes
Obama administration officials announced Sunday morning that they had met their deadline in terms of making improvements to healthcare.gov.
Fixes For Health Website Running Up Against The Clock
Administration officials say the enrollment site has improved significantly but acknowledge that the work will continue past today’s deadline.
Administration To Small Businesses: Online Health Insurance Exchange Delayed
HHS says the SHOP online portal now won’t be available until Nov. 2014.
Nearly 400,000 Poor Americans Flock To Expanded Medicaid
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.
Philadelphia Hospital Reaches Out To Homeless
The program helps reinforce the importance of health care for shelter residents and their children.
A selection of health policy stories from South Carolina, Montana and California.
Doctors Tell White House About Their Health Law Concerns; New Insurance Regulations Raise Some Flags
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’
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.
How Washington State Made Its Health Insurance Exchange Work; Philly Plans Big Exchange Push
Health insurance exchanges in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, California and Oregon make news.
Supreme Court To Hear Arguments On Health Law’s Contraceptive Coverage Mandate
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
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
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.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
This week’s articles come from Health Affairs, The New York Times, The Atlantic and The Weekly Standard.
