Latest KFF Health News Stories
Rep. Miller, Close Obamacare Ally, To Retire
Rep. George Miller will retire at the end of his term, he announced Monday. The California Democrat is a close ally of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and the health law.
SCOTUS Won’t Hear Appeal On Arizona Abortion Ban
The Supreme Court won’t hear an appeal from Arizona seeking to reinstate an abortion law there that disallowed most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It’s the third time this term the Court has refused to hear an appeal of an abortion-related case.
For Many Working Low-Income Residents, Health Law’s Promise Is Still Unaffordable
Stateline examines the difficulty for many working families to buy insurance while KHN checks how efforts to enroll the uninsured are going at a California hospital. Other news coverage on health law outreach and enrollment looks at narrow networks in some plans and an effort in Connecticut to attract consumers.
State Legislators Contemplate Flaws In New York’s Online Insurance Marketplace
Testimony during a New York State Senate hearing Monday explored problems that have emerged during the rollout of New York State of Health. News outlets also reported the latest related developments from Maryland and California.
State Highlights: Mass. Health Care System Eyes New Expansion
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts and California.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: January 14, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the health insurance enrollment numbers released by the Obama administration.
Obama Administration Proposes Medicare Drug Change
The Associated Press reports on this development related to Medicare drug coverage.
Supreme Court To Examine Abortion Clinics’ ‘Protest-Free’ Zones
The court will hear arguments this week over whether the 35-foot buffer zone around the entrance of Massachusetts abortion clinics is an infringement on free speech.
Wyden’s Finance Committee To-Do List Includes Various Health Policy Issues
The Wall Street Journal outlines how Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the likely successor to Sen. Max Baucus as leader of the Senate Finance Committee, is likely to approach various health issues. Also in the news, GOP senators take various weekend opportunities to speak out against the health law.
House Votes To Boost Health Website’s Security
House Republicans were joined by 67 Democrats to send to the Senate legislation requiring the government to inform consumers within two days of a security breach in the insurance marketplaces.
State Highlights: Va. Gov. Calls For Medicaid Expansion; States Examine Paid Sick Leave
A selection of health policy stories from New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virginia, Connecticut, California and New Mexico.
More GOP Governors Give Medicaid Expansion Another Look
Politico reports that while Republican governors in Texas and Louisiana remain firmly in the no camp, others in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana and Oklahoma are giving the program a second look. News outlets also offer updates from Florida, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Georgia.
O’Malley Defends Md. Exchange Despite Reports That Officials Ignored Warnings
News outlets also report on developments from Florida, Oregon, California and Minnesota.
Commentators offer their perspectives on the federal health law.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Accenture Tapped To Take Over Efforts To Fix Healthcare.gov
CGI, the company that was responsible for the construction of the federal health insurance website, will be replaced next month when its government contract to run the online portal ends.
Early Numbers Show Lagging Enrollment Of Young Adults
A Reuters analysis of data from October and November for the District of Columbia and seven states running their own insurance marketplaces indicates that 18- to 34-year-olds were a smaller percentage of enrollees than had been projected. Also in the news, a look at how small businesses and student health plans are faring under the law.
Insurers Complain Of Slow Payments; Enrollees Wait
News outlets report on consumers struggling to prove they have enrolled in coverage and on insurers wondering when and if they will get paid.
First Edition: January 13, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about how the health law’s enrollment process is working and about the federal government’s decision not to renew the contract for the company that was overseeing the repairs for healthcare.gov.
