Latest KFF Health News Stories
Popular Or Unpopular, Health Law Rollout Fires Up Backers, Detractors
The popularity, or unpopularity, of the health law in different parts of America remains a flashpoint issue in determining how the law rolls out, as lawmakers and health officials share their points of view with a skeptical public.
Lawmakers Weigh Deal Giving FDA Greater Clout After Meningitis Outbreak
House and Senate negotiators appear to be making progress towards stiffer regulations over the type of drugs that caused last year’s outbreak. In other Capitol Hill news, the GOP pushes to repeal a tax on medical devices, and rural health care providers ask for more time to meet electronic health record deadlines.
Fed, State Work On Medicaid Applications In The Marketplaces Face Delays
Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, the panel tasked with deciding if the state will expand its program faces an Oct. 15 deadline to provide recommendations to the legislature.
State Highlights: N.M. Officials Seek Less Medicaid Money Next Year
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, New Mexico, Florida, Missouri and California.
Many aspects of the health law will be mostly untouched by the looming federal government shutdown. But some officials are concerned that it could jam up the exchanges’ data hub.
Some Consumers May Not Find Obamacare Premiums Affordable
Even as the Obama administration releases average premiums for insurance policies to be sold in each state exchange, some news outlets explore how affordable those options will be for certain groups of consumers.
Obama, Clinton Make Joint Pitch To Uninsured Americans
White House officials said the rare, hour-long appearance by the two presidents was an attempt to focus attention on next week’s opening of enrollment in health insurance exchanges, which are key to the health law’s expansion of coverage.
Outreach Efforts, Especially For Young Adults And Minorities, Take Center Stage
The Detroit Free Press looks at the challenges in getting the message about the new insurance programs out to the uninsured, while in Florida, some officials are defying the governor’s decision to curb federal outreach efforts.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
First Edition: September 25, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about projected health insurance premium costs on the health law’s new online marketplaces, as well as news from Capitol Hill and a joint appearance by President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton to talk about the overhaul.
Senate GOP Leader Poised To Block Cruz’ Defunding Strategy
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced he won’t support the pledge made by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to use parliamentary procedures as he tries to stop Democrats from stripping a provision cutting money from the health law.
Cruz Makes Republican And Democratic Enemies With Defunding Fight
The freshman senator from Texas has led the charge to tie government financing to defunding the health law. The New York Times looks at the role of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the effort. Other media outlets explore Sen. Rand Paul’s suggestions of a compromise and Karl Rove calling out Cruz for misstatements.
As Opening Day Approaches, Confusion Continues About Health Exchanges
With the Oct. 1 launch of the health law’s online insurance marketplaces just days away, news outlets examine questions such as who will use them, what will make them a success, how long will it take to judge whether they are working, and other key issues.
States Question Exchange Readiness, Appropriateness And Effects
Officials in some states are expressing pessimism that the new Obamacare health insurance exchanges will be the place for residents to buy health coverage or are questioning their readiness. In Missouri, the lieutenant governor is telling residents to stay away from the exchanges.
State Political Dynamics Shaping Obamacare Implementation In The States
The fights over Obamacare are far from over in Florida — where a burgeoning Latino population is complicating opposition — and Alabama, where the governor’s stance against the Medicaid expansion and the health insurance exchange is showcasing their resistance.
Battles Have Reduced Health Law’s Impact For Consumers
Politico looks at the how the law squares with what it promised and talks to consumers in Kentucky about their expectations. Also, the Wall Street Journal examines one of the tactics health insurers are using to keep healthy customers.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
A federal court judge dismissed a lawsuit Monday which was filed against the government by 14 Medicare beneficiaries who were denied nursing home coverage because they had been kept in the hospital under “observation status.” Meanwhile, an analysis shows that Medicare penalized every hospital in D.C. and five in the Virginia suburbs for readmission rates, and Healthy Cal looks at efforts to reduce the costs of dual eligible patients.
Battle Brewing Over New Regulations For Compounding Pharmacies
In addition, a bill that would require professional drivers to be tested for sleep apnea flies through the House.
Obama, Bill Clinton To Tout Law In Joint Appearance
The two are slated to appear together Tuesday afternoon to discuss the health care law at an event sponsored by the Clinton Global Initiative, the former president’s foundation, exactly one week before open enrollment begins in new insurance marketplaces.
