Latest KFF Health News Stories
Federal Judge Rules Idaho Hospital Must Unwind Merger With Physicians Group
The court supported a case brought by the Federal Trade Commission that argued the merger reduced competition in the local marketplace.
Businesses Consider Best Strategies To Cover Part-Time Workers, Spouses
Target is the most recent in a line of large companies to drop health coverage for some workers and place the blame with the health law. But these decisions do not appear entirely straightforward.
States Use Waivers To Expand Medicaid Their Way
Also in the news is the Missouri Chamber of Commerce’s hiring of retired Republican Sen. Kit Bond to help the state’s Democratic governor lobby GOP state lawmakers to expand Medicaid.
A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds that 71 percent of Americans who have tried to sign up for health coverage, or live with someone who tried, had difficulties with the insurance marketplaces. Meanwhile, some GOP leaders are seeking a policy alternative to replace the overhaul.
The View From Two Counties With Soaring Uninsured Rates
The Texas Tribune looks at how Houston officials are using techniques honed in hurricanes and other public emergencies to try to enroll the uninsured. Kaiser Health News looks at the health law’s impact on the county in Florida that has the state’s highest uninsured rates.
State Lawmakers Consider Legislative Fixes For Health Insurance Exchange Problems
Lawmakers in Maryland and Oregon consider legislation that would help residents sign up for health insurance coverage — in some cases after deadlines to sign up have passed. In the meantime, the Obama administration reports more than 3 million people have signed up for coverage under the health law.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Getting Obamacare To Harder-To-Reach Groups
Reaching underserved populations who are newly qualified for coverage remains a major concern and challenge to advocacy groups like Families USA. For insurers and government officials, the target is healthy people who will help balance new risk pools.
When Cut From Medicare Advantage Plans, Doctors Face Dilemma About Patients
Doctors are trying to find the best way to tell some of their patients that they have been cut from Medicare advantage plans — cuts they say threaten patient care. In the meantime, Medicare is trying to crack down on habitual overcharging by doctors.
High Court Gives Temporary Contraception Coverage Exemption To Nuns
The Little Sisters of The Poor doesn’t want to have an outside administrator for its health plan, which covers employees of their nursing facilities.
State Highlights: N.Y. Revises Its Request For Medicaid Adjustment
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Washington state, California, Virginia, Idaho, Connecticut and Georgia.
First Edition: January 27, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report about a new Associated Press poll that found some negative views of the health law may be easing.
Saga Ends: Texas Woman Disconnected From Ventilator
The devices that had kept a pregnant woman’s heart and lungs working were turned off this morning, after a court order.
Supreme Court Gives Nuns Temporary Reprieve On Health Law’s Contraceptive Mandate
The Little Sisters of the Poor will not have to meet the requirement to provide contraceptive coverage to employees while their case is being heard in the court system.
Health Law Enrollment Hits Approximately 3 Million In January
Though this number is shy of earlier projections, it is getting closer to hitting monthly expectations. The administration, though, did not provide data about payment.
Judge Bars Missouri’s Limits On Health Law Navigators
A federal district judge ruled Thursday that Missouri officials were illegally obstructing the activities of insurance guides funded by the federal government to help consumers enroll in coverage under the health law. More than a dozen Republican-led states have imposed additional requirements on the guides, also known as navigators.
Medicaid ‘Death Debt’ Causes Some To Step Away From Coverage
A little-known aspect of Medicaid allows states, in certain cases, to recoup medical costs by claiming deceased people’s homes, which is causing some people to avoid coverage, even those who are newly eligible under the health law’s expanded eligibility.
GAO: Most Medicare Advantage Plans Meet Medical Expense Standard
The federal health law requires the plans to pay out at least 85 percent of their premium dollars on medical expenses or refund the excess revenue to the government.
Covered California Gets Federal Grant To Improve Customer Service, Boost Enrollment
Also in the news, reports about state exchange challenges and difficulties in Nevada, Texas, Maryland, Hawaii and Minnesota.
White House Health Care Adviser To Leave His Post
Chris Jennings, the White House’s coordinator for health reform, resigned after six months citing personal reasons and family considerations.
