Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of health care news from Virginia, Florida, North Carolina and Iowa.
Small Businesses Wrestle With Higher Insurance Costs, Confusion
Many small businesses are facing significant rate increases under the law and have opted instead to renew existing policies, reports The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The law’s impact on the Hollywood film and television industry, which relies heavily on freelancers, and the latest extensions granted to those buying coverage in new online exchanges also get coverage.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: December 16, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including findings from an Associated Press poll probing Americans thoughts about the health law.
Poll: Insured Americans Blame Health Law For Rising Expenses
The AP-GfK survey finds many people think that their increasing health insurance premiums and deductibles are tied to the health law. Meanwhile, Republican officials say they will continue to seek to defund or overturn the law.
Feds Announce Steps To Avoid Coverage Lapses
The Obama administration announced Thursday a series of actions — including giving consumers more time to pay their premiums and a one-month extension of a high-risk insurance program — to help prevent lapses in insurance coverage as key parts of the health law kick in Jan. 1.
High-Risk Pool Extension Gives Sick People More Time To Pick A Health Plan
The decision will give an estimated 85,000 people who were enrolled in the pre-existing condition insurance plans created by the health law, which were originally scheduled to expire on Jan. 1, an extra month to enroll in new coverage.
Insurers, Officials Try To Push Through Website Data Problems To Enroll New Customers
A healthcare.gov website data delivery glitch is keeping insurers from fully enrolling people in coverage under the health law’s new online exchanges. In the meantime, Health and Human Services officials are asking insurers to allow consumers to pay premiums late and to let them temporarily see doctors who may not be on their health plans.
Celebrities Sell Obamacare Using Rap, Social Media
Since spring, the White House has worked with stars like Jennifer Hudson and Amy Poehler to engage 18- to 34-year-olds. Now states like California are also getting into the act, enlisting rap artists and others.
When Will The First Premium Payment Be Due?
Although the new rules announced on Thursday finalized the administration decision to extend the enrollment deadline for Jan. 1 coverage until Dec. 23, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius also asked insurers to give consumers more time to pay their premiums.
Already-Covered Minnesotans Find Better Coverage On Health Insurance Exchange, But No Subsidies
About two-thirds of people who signed up for coverage on Minnesota’s health insurance exchange won’t get financial assistance, but are still finding better coverage options there. And the director of the exchange comes under fire for a two-week vacation while problems with the website persisted.
Groups Say Md. Health Insurance Exchange Problems Could Leave People Without Jan. 1 Coverage
In the meantime, despite considering delaying the launch of the exchange, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said Thursday that he is confident that problems with the website will be fixed and that the exchange will meet its goal of enrolling 260,000 by the end of March 2014.
Calif. Exchange Enrolls 7,100 A Day, But Latinos Lag
More than 156,000 have selected plans in California’s online health insurance exchange, officials said, but some enrollees have not gotten confirmation from insurers, which means their policies may not start Jan. 1.
Red State Residents Enrolling In Obamacare At Lower Rates
People in GOP-controlled states are signing up for coverage in the health law’s exchanges at lower rates than those in blue states, reports the Associated Press. Meanwhile, news outlets offer snapshots of how signups are going in Montana, Wyoming, Connecticut, Colorado, Oregon and Washington state.
Many Health Law Exchange Plans Have ‘Narrow Networks’
Many new health insurance plans sold through the health law’s online insurance exchanges — in an effort to keep premiums down — severely limit where new enrollees can get care.
Rep. Murphy Introduces Bill To Change Mental Health Treatment
The legislation is a response to the shootings in Newtown, Conn., that killed 20 elementary students and six adults.
Citing Security Concerns, HHS Says ‘No’ To Issa Document Demand
Rep. Darrell Issa has issued a subpoena to MITRE, a government contractor, to turn over documents on healthcare.gov security testing. HHS says Issa has already seen the documents he is seeking.
Budget Deal, With 3-Month ‘Doc Fix’ Moves To Senate
At the last minute as the the House approved a budget deal, Republicans included a provision to prevent a scheduled pay cut for doctors who treat Medicare patients.
State Highlights: Minn. Health Spending Growth Slows
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, Minnesota, California and Florida.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
