Latest KFF Health News Stories
Website Problems Cast New Doubts On Obama’s Vision
President Barack Obama has struggled throughout his presidency to convince the American public that the government can be used to address seemingly “intractable” problems and make transformational changes, but the recent difficulties with healthcare.gov could amount to a serious test to this philosophy.
Administration Announces Website Will Be Fixed By November
Even as U.S. officials and the contractors they hired delve into the online marketplace’s problems, issues arise in paper and phone applications too. Meanwhile, the familiar photo on the website is gone.
Delaying Coverage Mandate Not A Simple Idea
News outlets examine the political and policy issues involved in delaying the health law’s requirement that almost everyone have health insurance.
State Exchange Updates: Football Marketing, Slow Starts And Calif.’s Litmus Test
News outlets provide updates on state health insurance exchanges in Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota and California, the state that many believe will provide a litmus test on how, and if, the state-based exchanges can work elsewhere.
IRS Offers Preliminary Glimpse Of How Many People Were Able To Use Healthcare.gov
According to the Internal Revenue Service, the federal government has delivered 330,000 premium subsidy calculations to people who have gotten far enough to find out whether they qualify for health insurance subsidies. Meanwhile, CNN looks deeper into some of the numbers currently being quoted.
As the health law’s online marketplaces continue to experience problems, opinion writers look at the politics behind the health law and the effects on consumers.
Verizon Data Failure Takes Down Health Insurance Websites
Computer servers hosting a key part of the health law’s infrastructure relied upon by all 14 state-run health websites, as well as by the federal website that serves 36 states, failed Sunday. Terremark, a unit of Verizon that operates the servers, could not immediately give officials a timeline for fixing the problems.
The Wall Street Journal reports that a “lack of direction” may have been in play as the federal health exchange was being developed while CBS News offers a long look at how the health insurance system became what it is today.
So Far, Health Law Not Hurting Insurer Stock Prices
Health insurance stocks don’t seem to be hurt by implementation of the health law. In fact, share prices for the top five publicly traded firms have risen faster than the larger market. Elsewhere, The New York Times examines options for buying insurance outside the federal or state marketplaces, and some coverage is getting pricier.
Health Law Broadens Coverage Possibilities For Many People With HIV, AIDS
Stateline reports how the health law will broaden benefits for many of the 1.1 million Americans infected with HIV, especially those who live in the 25 states that are expanding Medicaid. Meanwhile, the Obama administration stresses that information an individual submits to sign up for health coverage cannot be used to enforce immigration law.
Republicans Eye Health Law Opportunities To Make Midterm Inroads
Republicans are set to pounce on the health law’s rollout problems as a way to make inroads in 2014’s midterm elections. Among the strategies they are considering is leaving the law out of budget negotiations but voting again in the House to delay the law. They plan further hearings to question officials on the rollout issues, and some are calling for Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ resignation.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Obama To Talk Health Law Importance In Boston As Sebelius Testifies
President Obama will try to bolster the health law Wednesday when he travels to Boston to talk about the law while HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill about healthcare.gov’s problems. In the meantime, the White House is busy trying to rally support for the law from congressional Democrats.
States Report Medicaid Surge As Result Of Health Law Rollout
Several media outlets examine how some states are signing up tens of thousands of new Medicaid enrollees in the first month of the health law’s rollout, while enrolling fewer people in private insurance policies. In addition, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett touts his alternative to Medicaid expansion using private insurance.
Questions About Medical Necessity For Some Surgeries, Screenings
The Washington Post looks at the dramatic increase in spinal fusion surgeries and whether all are necessary, while Kaiser Health News examines screenings for stroke and heart disease, some of which are not recommended for healthy people. The New York Times examines how the Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation to limit prescriptions for narcotic painkillers was years in the making.
UnitedHealthcare Cuts Doctors From Medicare Advantage Plans
UnitedHealthcare is dropping 10 to 15 percent of its doctors from Medicare Advantage plans around the nation, a move that will force some seniors to find new doctors or change plans.
A selection of health policy stories from Vermont, Maryland, Florida and Kansas.
First Edition: October 28, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of the health law’s federal online insurance marketplace — healthcare.gov — and its continuing challenges, troubles and the plans to get it fixed.
GOP Officials Press For Health Law Delay, Sebelius To Resign; Democrats Urge Patience
The troubles with the health website took center stage on the Sunday news shows and in the Saturday weekly addresses from the president and the Republicans.
Administration Announces Details Of Marketplace Website Fix
Jeffrey Zients, who was named by President Barack Obama to watch over the repairs to healthcare.gov, told reporters Friday that it should be running well by the end of November. Here’s a sampling of the afternoon coverage.
