Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Obese, People With AIDS Encounter Coverage Gaps
Many plans sold through the health law’s marketplaces don’t cover weight loss surgery, and none in Louisiana are accepting payments from a federal program intended to help people with HIV/AIDS. The New York Times explores who benefits from the latest employer mandate extension, and Kaiser Health News answers a question about the health law’s impact on a person covered by COBRA.
Research Roundup: Examining Readmissions; Easing Doctor Burnout
This week’s briefs and studies come from Avalere Health, Health Affairs, JAMA, JAMA Surgery, JAMA Pediatrics, The Employee Benefit Research Institute, JAMA Internal Medicine, The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Urban Institute.
More Doctors Move To Salaried Jobs
Both primary care physicians and specialist doctors are increasingly taking salaried jobs instead of maintaining their own practice.
GOP Lawmakers Seek Probes Of State Health Insurance Exchanges
In separate requests, Republican congressmen have sought federal investigations into the tens of millions of dollars that Maryland and Oregon spent to build online insurance exchanges that are still riddled with problems.
Some States Beating Others To Health Law Enrollment Punch
News outlets take closer looks at the Obama administration’s health law enrollment figures and find that some states are outpacing others. Marketplace problems that persist in some states are also examined.
N.Y., Federal Officials Reach Tentative Accord On More Medicaid Funding
The agreement would add $8 billion to help the state reconfigure its health insurance program for low-income residents and aid some struggling hospitals.
Finding The Meaning Behind New Obamacare Enrollment Numbers
As the president renews his call for people — especially African Americans and Latinos — to enroll for insurance coverage, news outlets detail what is actually known about who has already signed up.
Highlights: N.D. Hospital And Abortion Docs; Calif. Sugary Beverage Bill
A selection of health policy stories from North Dakota, California, Texas, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington state, Florida, Virginia and Georgia.
Some Having Luck With Healthcare.gov, But Others Remain Stuck
Quiet fixes to healthcare.gov are helping some shoppers on the troubled website, but some still remain without insurance coverage. In the meantime, insurers are skeptical the latest marketplace enrollment numbers are cause for health law optimism.
House GOP Attacks Obama On Medicare Advantage Cuts
The letter from the Republican leadership team is a sign the GOP will seize on the cuts and blame the administration, betting the issue will help the party in the midterm elections.
‘Copper’ Plans? A Push For New, Lower-Premium Coverage
Some health law proponents are urging officials to create “copper” plans that offer lower deductibles, but higher out-of-pocket costs than the health law’s gold, silver and bronze plans. In the meantime, the Office of Management and Budget is reviewing a rule that would allow states to create alternatives to the law’s insurance marketplace for low-income people.
Viewpoints: Parsing Obamacare Numbers; Experts On Long-Term Care Insurance; French Cancer Care
A selection of opinions and editorials on health care from around the country.
First Edition: February 14, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on the least expensive health insurance markets and efforts to set up skimpier plans under the health law.
More Than 1 Million People Signed Up For Health Plans In January
According to Obama administration officials, the overall enrollment figure, which tops three million, reflects people who enrolled in coverage through the federal or state exchanges from October through January.
HHS Enrollment Figures Indicate Sign-Ups Even In States Where Officials Have Opposed The Health Law
News outlets offer a sampling of state-specific health plan enrollment numbers. Even Oregon, with its non-working exchange, signed up more than 33,000 people.
GOP States Struggling With Medicaid Expansion Issues
Higher rates of mental health and substance abuse disorders among the newly enrolled will be difficult to treat due to a lack of counselors and behavioral therapists who accept Medicaid patients. Medicaid expansion developments in New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wyoming and Virginia are also covered.
Covered California Infomercial Hits The Web; Koch Brothers Ad Attacks Mich. Dem
Ads are appearing ahead of the March 31st health insurance enrollment deadline and the 2014 congressional primaries.
Senate Sends President ‘Clean’ Debt Limit Bill
The Senate has approved and sent President Obama a “clean” debt limit bill, allowing the federal government to borrow money. The tactic by the GOP to pass the clean bill is criticized by non-Washington conservatives but allows most Republican lawmakers to vote against it. In the meantime, the Senate also passes House-approved legislation to extend Medicare cuts to restore some retiree benefits for veterans.
State Highlights: Ariz. Group Urges Public Hospital Changes
A selection of health policy stories from Arizona, Florida, California and Pennsylvania.
Poll: Uninsured Rate Lowest In Five Years
In other Obamacare implementation news, some regions are finding few plan options. And HHS is trying to resolve some healthcare.gov issues with a personal touch.
