Latest KFF Health News Stories
Commentators offer a range of opinions as pressure builds over the closing of the government.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: October 3, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the federal and state health exchanges worked on their second day of operations. In the background, the congressional budget stand off continues.
Despite Snags, Online Insurance Marketplaces Open For Business
The technical glitches were complicated by the millions of people who visited the online health exchanges on Tuesday, their first day of operations. For instance, Health and Human Services officials reported that 2.8 million unique visitors had been to the federal website.
Traffic Reports: High Volume Causes Health Insurance Shoppers To Face Delays
Across the country, states reported computer problems and long wait times as consumers tried to check out the new insurance options available through the health law’s online insurance marketplaces. At the same time, though, many states reported tallies of applications and hits that exceeded expectations.
Figuring Out How To Shop Around On Health Exchanges
News outlets report on the efforts by states, navigators, organizations and others to help uninsured people find their way through the challenges of applying for health insurance on the new online marketplaces. In places ranging from Florida, Ohio and California to Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota, there was a buzz surrounding outreach efforts, and sometimes frustration on the part of consumers attempting to find out about coverage.
Small Insurers Play Larger Role In Health Exchanges
Media outlets examine the rise of small insurers in the new online health insurance marketplaces, the expected increases in physician demand and the importance of enrolling young people to balance the costs of caring for those who are older and sicker.
State Highlights: As Nation Implements Health Law, Mass. Eyes Lowering Costs
A selection of health policy stories from California and Massachusetts.
The impasse in Washington sparked many opinions.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Marketplaces’ ‘First-Day Jitters’; The Need For Healthy Young Adults To Enroll
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Gov’t Shutdown Takes Focus Off GOP’s Obamacare Opportunity
Some say Republicans missed a political opportunity Tuesday to point at the difficulties Obamacare’s new online exchanges were having because news of the government’s shutdown dominated headlines. In the meantime, Ohio has become a political battleground for fights over the health law as the state is home to both Republican House Speaker John Boehner — who is central to repeal efforts — and Gov. John Kasich, whose support for the law’s Medicaid expansion has him split from other conservatives.
Obama Admonishes Republicans On ‘Ideological Crusade’
Surrounded by beneficiaries of the federal health law, President Barack Obama blamed Republicans for the government shutdown, noting the law’s insurance marketplaces had opened for business even as most of the federal government had shut down.
New Ads, New Conservative Appeals For Obamacare Repeal
A conservative group and the National Republican Congressional Committee are aiming new ads at Democrats and Obamacare, urging the law’s repeal via radio and other avenues.
Neither Side Budging On Health Law As Gov’t Shutdown Continues
Neither Republicans nor Democrats appear ready to budge in the short-term to end a government shutdown and their impasse over funding for the health law. House Republicans are looking to pressure moderate Democrats in the Senate by sending the upper chamber a series of bills aimed at funding popular government services, but Republicans are beginning to feel the pressure building over who will get the blame for the shutdown.
First Edition: October 2, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news reports about how the health law’s new online insurance marketplaces — glitches and all — went live at both the federal and state levels.
Obama Says Marketplaces Overwhelmed By Demand
In remarks in the Rose Garden to mark the opening of these centerpieces of the health law, the president says federal officials are working to overcome the technical problems.
Live Blog: Exchanges Launch, Government Shuts Down
Celebrity tweets, presidential remarks, computer problems, consumers enrolling, and more, in continuous updates from KHN throughout the day.
It’s Oct. 1 — Health Exchanges Go Live … Glitches And All
Despite three-and-a-half years of political intrigue and hijinx culminating with a government shutdown, this key health law provision is rolling out. Administration officials expected some glitches, but are confident in the marketplaces ultimate success. However, if the exchanges are to achieve their intended goal, people will have to sign up.
50 States, 50 Views Of Health Exchanges
Media outlets across the country spotlight the opening of federal and state-run websites that are designed to be a portal into new insurance marketplaces where those without group coverage can compare and purchase plans. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel describes a fund created by the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics to pay the premiums of those who would have been eligible for expanded Medicaid had the state opted into that health law program. The Texas Tribune spotlights potential problems as a result of state restrictions on the navigators who are supposed to act as consumer guides.
HHS Warns Of Early Hiccups As It Premieres Insurance Website
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is asking the public and press to be patient as the law unfolds.
