Latest KFF Health News Stories
Despite Gains, Covered California Lags With Latinos
California’s health exchange has enrolled more than 625,000 people in private insurance plans, but the state’s struggle to reach uninsured Latinos is drawing criticism.
Arkansas Official: No Back-Up If ‘Private Option’ Medicaid Expansion Is Blocked
The head of Arkansas’ Department of Human Services said he doesn’t have an alternative budget if lawmakers block the state’s Medicaid expansion plan when they reconvene next month. Meanwhile, news outlets in Florida, Idaho and Maine report on debates over whether to pursue the expansion.
State Highlights: N.Y. Hospitals Wait For Medicaid Waiver
A selection of health policy stories from New York, California, Washington and Georgia.
High Court Justices Debate Union Rights For Home Health Care Workers
The case was argued before the Supreme Court Tuesday and the justices seemed split. Justice Antonin Scalia may be the swing vote.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Maryland Advances Bill To Cover Frustrated Applicants
The Maryland Senate has sent the House of Delegates a measure to provide immediate health insurance to people who sought unsuccessfully to enroll in the state’s troubled health exchange. Meanwhile, Texas’ top insurance regulator released new rules for navigators and Minnesota’s exchange woes are covered.
Health Law Touching People Who Have Insurance Through Their Workplace
News outlets examine this issue as well as other parts of the health law and how they may impact consumers, including how to avoid tax surprise related to the overhaul and an examination of how young adults may or may not find value in obtaining coverage.
First Edition: January 22, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report that Target announced its plans to stop offering health coverage to part-time workers.
The New York Times also notes that many of these new Medicaid beneficiaries are people who have not had insurance before. Meanwhile, news outlets continue to track developments regarding how governors continue to wrestle with Medicaid decisions — including those in Virginia, Michigan and Maine. Also in the news, a problem with Maryland’s Medicaid enrollment.
Trials, And A Few Unexpected Triumphs, For Insurance Exchanges
A procurement document posted on a federal website gives the newest Obamacare contractor until mid-March to build the back end of healthcare.gov, predicting dire consequences if the work is not completed on time. Other media outlets report exchange developments from Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin, Georgia and Minnesota.
Supreme Court Today Hears Case On Medicaid Home Health Workers’ Right To Form Public Employee Union
The case involves workers in Illinois who serve Medicaid patients at home. The state says allowing a union helps provide a more stable workforce, but opponents argue that the move was a “political payback” by state Democrats.
As Specialists Become ‘Entrepreneurial,’ Patients’ Costs Soar
The New York Times reports on this trend.
Media outlets present a variety of views on impact of the health overhaul.
HHS To Start With Beneficiaries Backlog In Medicare Claims Appeals
The Department of Health and Human Services moves to break up a big backlog of Medicare claims appeals, with beneficiary hearings taking precedent. In the meantime, The Fiscal Times looks at overpayment in private Medicare Fee-For-Service plans.
Abortion Rights Fight Central To Midterm Election Races
Abortion rights have yet again become a central issue in midterm elections while an order of nuns finds itself in the center of the health law’s contraception coverage mandate.
As Some States Look To Kill Obamacare, Maryland Bill Would Boost Enrollees
While legislators in at least seven states contemplate measures to stop implementation of the health law, Maryland’s Senate advanced a bill to provide insurance to those who were unable to enroll in that state’s troubled health exchange website.
Insurance Execs Offer Views On Health Costs, Reform
Former Kaiser Permanente CEO George Halvorson and Blue Shield of California CEO Paul Markovich share their perspectives on where Obamacare is headed and how the nation can curb health care spending.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Studies Providing Mixed News On Effects Of Health Law
Separate Rand and McKinsey studies examined how coverage will be affected by cost and accessibility of plans on the exchanges. Also, USA Today looked at the less-explored phenomenon of co-ops.
State Highlights: R.I. Gov. Plans $43M In Medicaid Cuts
A selection of health policy stories from Rhode Island, California, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, Wisconsin, Missouri and Minnesota.
