Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Reads: Hospice Drains Medicare; False Obamacare ‘Horror Stories’
This week’s articles come from The Washington Post, The Weekly Standard, Health Insurance, Cincinnati Magazine, Slate and The New York Times.
First Edition: January 9, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the politics of the health law continue to play out on Capitol Hill.
Jobless Benefits For Health Law Suspension? Dems Say No.
Republicans are pushing proposals involving suspending parts of the health law in return for extending unemployment aid. Lawmakers also are making progress on a $1 trillion spending bill, again with health law negotiations at the center.
RNC Launches ‘Obamacare’ Attack Ads
The advertisements, which will run in 12 states this week, target Democratic senators and representatives who supported the health law by attempting to link them to President Barack Obama’s failed promise that people who like their coverage could keep it. The administration, meanwhile, will run ads during the Winter Olympics, urging people to sign up for coverage.
Feds Develop ‘Workarounds’ To Make Sure People Who Are Eligible Get Covered By Medicaid Expansion
Medicaid officials have developed methods to get around healthcare.gov’s limitations in transmitting applications to state agencies, Modern Healthcare reports. But as election-year politics begin to heat up, some states continue to wrestle with the concept of expanding the low-income health insurance program.
A selection of editorials and opinion on health care from around the country.
Federal Report Finds Electronic Health Records Push Lacks Key Safeguards
The New York Times reports on this development.
A New Health Insurer Raises Funds After Rapid Growth
A new health insurer is betting that it can enter a crowded, but lucrative market. In the meantime, health care stocks helped markets surge Tuesday.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Florida and Minnesota.
170,000 Oregon Residents Enrolled In Coverage
Cover Oregon officials reported that 170,000 residents signed up for new health coverage effective Jan. 1 despite problems with that state’s site. Meanwhile, Anthem Blue Cross extended the payment deadline for Connecticut applicants until Jan. 15, and MNsure officials are under pressure to get their site working smoothly.
The Challenge Of Spreading Positive Obamacare News
Politico reports on the uphill climb faced by the White House as it attempts to make sure the overhaul’s satisfied customers get as much attention as those who have faced difficulties. Meanwhile, one administration official says the measure is making a comeback from its touch start.
Health Industry Insiders Analyze, Predict And Prescribe
Kaiser Health News checks in with former HHS chief and current health care consultant Michael Leavitt while CQ HealthBeat details insights from another insider, Robert Laszewski.
First Edition: January 8, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news from Capitol Hill about how current events offer a window into the dynamics of the 2014 campaign season.
Health Care Spending Grew At Record Slow Pace
Americans’ spending on health care rose a relatively modest 3.7 percent in 2012 — slower than the growth of the overall economy — dropping from 17.3 percent of U.S. spending to 17.2 percent, according to an annual report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Texas Hospital Officials Criticize Proposal To Limit Obamacare Navigators
Texas hospital officials and Democrats complained about proposed state legislation to impose greater training requirements and fees on navigators, while a Florida group gets a grant for outreach to Hispanics. Meanwhile, California exchange officials extended the payment deadline for January premiums because of continuing glitches, and a Minnesota auditor probes the troubled launch of the MNsure website.
Sen. Johnson’s Suit On Obamacare Blasted By Fellow Republican
Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., is attacking the lawsuit filed Monday by Sen. Ron Johnson, also a Wisconsin Republican, that seeks to change how the health law is applied to Congress and to cut off federal government payments.
Barriers Persist To New Approaches To Medical Liability, Studies Find
Issues of medical liability and tort reform, as well as how they interact with rising health care costs, continue to draw study and discussion in the news.
Study Debunks Concern That People Would Move Across State Lines To Get Medicaid
This concern has been a part of the debate over the health law’s Medicaid expansion. Meanwhile, in Kansas, a new push is underway.
Medicare Seeks To Tighten Drug Program Rules To Fight Fraud
Draft regulations issued Monday would overhaul the prescription drug program and could save up to $1.3 billion over five years.
Maryland’s Troubled Exchange Spurs Political Debate
Democratic and Republican critics of Maryland’s dysfunctional exchange urged state officials to consider alternatives to the current online insurance marketplace. The issue has also become campaign fodder for gubernatorial candidates.
