Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: Health Care In Jail; Preventing Medicare Drug Fraud; New Medical Codes
This week’s articles come from Health Affairs, Time Magazine, The Weekly Standard, NewsHour and ProPublica.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories about new studies that attempt to measure the health law’s headway in signing up uninsured Americans for health coverage.
Administration Unveils New Round Of Health Law Rule Changes
Among the wide-ranging set of changes, the one drawing the most attention is the Obama administration’s decision to allow some consumers to keep health coverage into 2017 that does not comply with the overhaul’s minimum standards. Other changes include an extension of next year’s enrollment period, more backup for plans in insurance exchanges dealing with high patient costs and more time for states deciding whether to run their own marketplaces.
Groups, Insurers, Officials Mobilize For Health Law Enrollment Push
March 31 is the deadline for signing up for insurance, and young adults and minorities are among the groups being targeted.
After surviving an effort earlier this week to defund it, supporters of the state’s private option are now working on alterations that will smooth its future. Meanwhile, the back-and-forth over whether to pursue the expansion continues in Virginia and Utah.
Feds To Probe Troubled State Exchanges
The Government Accountability Office, an investigative arm of Congress, will look at what went wrong with several state exchanges, including Oregon’s, which failed to deliver despite large infusions of federal money. Meanwhile, a state lawmaker has sued California for refusing to allow consumers with canceled health policies to keep them, and Florida has a high rate of uninsured Latinos.
House Votes To Delay Individual Mandate
The House took its 50th vote to change the health law, passing a bill that would delay the individual mandate to carry health insurance for one year. The measure will likely never be taken up in the Democrat-led Senate.
White House Says Risk Corridors Will Be Budget Neutral
In news on the implementation of the health overhaul, administration officials seek to rebut Republican charges that the risk corridors will be a “bailout” for the insurance industry. Meanwhile, Gary Cohen, who helped oversee many of the rules for rolling out the law, is leaving the government.
Viewpoints: Revamping Health Law Regs — Again; Arkansas Decision On Medicaid Reverberates Nationwide
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Va. Mental Health Budget; Nurses’ Practice In Minn.
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, California, Minnesota, Illinois and Colorado.
Arizona Sued Over Abortion Restrictions
Abortion providers filed suit Wednesday to block new state regulations that limit the use of the most common abortion drugs. Meanwhile, two more Texas abortion clinics are closed as a result of that state’s restrictions, bringing total closures to 12.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about health law rule changes announced yesterday by the Obama administration.
Administration Announces 2nd Renewal For Old Health Plans
Americans who kept health plans that didn’t comply with the health law’s coverage requirements will be able to renew those policies again.
Arkansas House Votes To Fund Medicaid Expansion Private Option
The measure, which extended for one year this “private” approach to expanding health insurance coverage to low-income state residents, failed in four previous votes. Its opponents say the debate is not over — they are just “hitting the pause button.”
$600M For Health Law Implementation In President’s Proposed Budget
In the meantime, the budget also proposes $5.5 billion for “risk corridors” in 2015 to pay insurers who find themselves with a higher number of sicker and older people they must insure. Some call that program a bailout.
CBO Projects Lower Health Law Cost; Oregon Lawmakers Seek Exchange Review
The cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office takes into account lower-than-projected enrollment this year. Meanwhile, Oregon’s Democratic senators ask the Government Accountability Office to examine federal funding of that state’s website a day after House Republicans make a similar request.
President Obama’s Budget: Medicare Means Testing And Lower Drug Costs
The budget proposal includes a provision to make wealthier seniors in Medicare pay more as well and another to try to drive down the cost of prescription drugs. A rival Republican plan is also expected to propose cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.
News outlets report on these and other state efforts to address issues related to expanding the state-federal health insurance program for low-income people.
Va. House Republicans Press For Special Session To Debate Expansion Proposal
The expansion is currently being tackled as part of the state’s two-year budget blueprint, but the House GOP is urging that it be considered separately in order to avert a potential government shutdown.
Highlights: L.A. Nursing Homes Scrutiny
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Virginia and Georgia.
