Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Will Obamacare Website Be Able To Transfer Medicaid Enrollment Data?
Politico raises questions about whether the transfer of Medicaid enrollment data to 36 states participating in the federal exchange will go smoothly Nov. 1 when it’s slated to begin. The Los Angeles Times looks at how Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s decision to pursue Medicaid expansion in defiance of the right wing of his party may affect his political future.
A Closer Look At HHS Sec. Sebelius’ Health Law Role
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ role in the problems of the health law’s insurance marketplace and the subsequent calls for her ouster are examined. Sebelius’ absence would mean a key post in implementing Obamacare would be vacant.
Longer Looks: Website Problems ‘Could Be Worse;’ Why Poor People Take More Health Risks
This week’s articles come from The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Slate, Computerworld and The New Yorker.
First Edition: October 24, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Obama administration plans to tweak the tax-penalty deadline for signing up for health insurance as well as previews of what might happen when the contractors who built the health law’s online insurance marketplace testify today on Capitol Hill.
Little Evidence Obamacare Is Costing Full-Time Jobs
Reuters and The Wall Street Journal challenge the notion, based on recent jobs data, that the health law is causing an erosion of full-time work. Other media outlets look at the endangered status of new insurance co-ops funded by the law, the high price of many prescription drugs and concerns about the people enrolled in high-risk insurance pools that will close at the end of the year.
Defending Health Exchange’s Rollout Puts Sebelius In Hot Seat
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is being called to Capitol Hill by Republican lawmakers who want her to explain what went wrong with the Oct. 1 unveiling of healthcare.gov. She is also facing calls for her resignation. Still, according to Politico, her job is safe.
The White House Names Zients To Be Healthcare.gov Fixer
Jeffrey D. Zients, who previously served as the Office of Management and Budget chief performance officer, is already a tested administration troubleshooter.
Calif. Marketplace Under Fire For Not Providing Quality Ratings For Plans
News outlets look at a variety of issues that the state-run exchanges are facing.
Health Exchange Status Update: Two Key Fixes Will Take Longer Than Expected
Making the necessary repairs will likely take more talent and more offline time for the online marketplace. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by CBS found that very few Americans think the federal online insurance marketplace’s launch has gone well.
Ohio Opponents Of Medicaid Expansion File Lawsuit
A group of six Ohio lawmakers, along with two anti-abortion groups, brought suit Tuesday, challenging a legislative board’s move to approve that state’s expansion of Medicaid under the health law. Other media outlets look at the estimated 5 million Americans who will go without insurance because their states are not expanding the federal-state program for the poor.
A selection of editorials and comments about health policy from around the country.
Sen. Rubio Readies Bill To Delay Insurance Mandate Penalty
Sen. Marco Rubio is proposing a bill that would delay imposing penalties on people who don’t have health insurance until six months after the Government Accountability Office has certified the federal website is functional. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, is calling on President Obama to extended open enrollment beyond March 31, 2014 and to waive penalties for those who are unable to sign up because of technical problems.
Judge Allows Obamacare Subsidies Lawsuit To Proceed, But Stops Short Of Imposing Injunction
A federal judge Tuesday allowed a legal challenge against the health law’s insurance price subsidies to go forward, but stopped short of imposing an injunction that would have halted the subsidies until the legal matter is resolved. At issue is a challenge to how the Obama administration determines who gets what subsidies and the related tax penalties.
Democratic And Republican Lawmakers Alike Are Anxious For Health Law Briefings
As a senior White House official heads to Capitol Hill to brief House Democrats on the health law’s implementation — especially the troubled rollout of healthcare.gov, Republicans want the same opportunity.
Obama Administration To Loyalists: Help Boost The Health Law
From the White House to YouTube, the administration is hoping to rally the troops who have supported the health law in the past.
State Highlights: Cuccinelli Blasts Health Law, Sebelius To Gain Ground In Va. Governor’s Race
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, New York, California, Oregon, Michigan, Texas and Georgia.
First Edition: October 23, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including continuing coverage about the problems with the healthcare.gov website, how Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is in the hot seat and how the White House has called in reinforcements — a glitch czar.
In Some States, Most Early Marketplace Enrollees Qualify For Medicaid
Many of the uninsured are poor, and applicants don’t have to pay anything to sign up for Medicaid. Shoppers applying for private health coverage through the marketplace have to pay their first monthly premium before they are fully enrolled.
Obama Admits Healthcare.gov Problems, But Says Health Law Is Bigger Than The Website
In a Rose Garden speech, President Barack Obama said there was “no excuse” for the bungled rollout of the online health insurance marketplaces and promised that the difficulties would be ironed out.
