Latest KFF Health News Stories
Senate Sends President ‘Clean’ Debt Limit Bill
The Senate has approved and sent President Obama a “clean” debt limit bill, allowing the federal government to borrow money. The tactic by the GOP to pass the clean bill is criticized by non-Washington conservatives but allows most Republican lawmakers to vote against it. In the meantime, the Senate also passes House-approved legislation to extend Medicare cuts to restore some retiree benefits for veterans.
State Highlights: Ariz. Group Urges Public Hospital Changes
A selection of health policy stories from Arizona, Florida, California and Pennsylvania.
Poll: Uninsured Rate Lowest In Five Years
In other Obamacare implementation news, some regions are finding few plan options. And HHS is trying to resolve some healthcare.gov issues with a personal touch.
Indicted Colorado Exchange Director Had Been Fully Vetted, Officials Say
Colorado’s Connect for Health director was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday after being indicted for stealing from her last employer. Meanwhile, the new head of Massachusetts’ exchange pledges to fix it quickly, and Kansas navigators say they’re overcoming healthcare.gov’s rocky start.
Viewpoints: Decoupling Jobs And Insurance; Overblown Fear: Medicaid Willl Take My House
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Longer Looks: Women’s Advantages In Health Law; Health Effects Of The ‘American Dream’
This week’s articles come from The Atlantic, 60 Minutes, U.S. News and World Report, Medscape, Politico and The New York Times.
First Edition: February 13, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of yesterday’s update from the Obama administration regarding the number of people who have enrolled in private health insurance through the health law’s online marketplaces.
Obama: Latest Employer Mandate Delay Is Method Of ‘Smoothing Out’ Health Law Transition
President Barack Obama also said Tuesday during a joint press conference with French President Francois Hollande that he doesn’t see the employer-based health insurance system disappearing.
How Much Relief Will Result From The Latest Health Law Delay?
News outlets take a closer look at the impact of Monday’s Obama administration decision to postpone enforcement of the employer mandate for mid-sized businesses.
Proposal To Change Medicare’s ‘Observation Status’ Gains Congressional Support
After years of trying, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., says he is optimistic that Congress will change the Medicare policy that has left thousands of patients without coverage for nursing home care after leaving the hospital.
State Highlights: More States Gearing Up To Combine Medicare, Medicaid
A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Connecticut.
Rural California Plans New Trauma Centers
Communities in rural California are designating regional hospitals as trauma centers to avoid expensive and often time-consuming patient transfers. Meanwhile, a hospital system in Camden, N.J. overhauls the way it cares for the poorest and sickest patients and telemedicine bolsters intensive care services in rural Maryland.
Viewpoints: Obama’s ‘Cavalier Approach’ To Health Law; CBO Report’s Job Forecast Isn’t Bad News
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Healthcare.gov Contractors Scramble To Recruit Talent, Continue System Work
Meanwhile, even as efforts are ongoing to address the federal health exchange’s back end computer issues, state marketplaces in Maryland, Oregon and Minnesota face challenges.
Some Health Law Provisions Raising Questions, Costs
News outlets examined how Medicaid costs may be affected by the ACA, and the dilemma the law poses for some IRS rules.
First Edition: February 12, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about President Barack Obama’s comments yesterday on his administration’s decision to decision to give mid-sized businesses more time to comply with the health law’s employer mandate.
Officials announced Monday that the government will not enforce the mandate for businesses with 50 to 99 workers until 2016. In addition, larger employers will also be allowed to cover just 70 percent of workers in 2015, instead of the 90 percent originally required.
Weekend Maintenance Will Affect Healthcare.gov
Meanwhile, Maryland officials say the problems with that state’s enrollment website are unlikely to be fixed before the March 31 enrollment deadline. Elsewhere, California is hiring more call center workers, and Illinois is reaching out to young adults with ads in the satirical online newspaper, The Onion.
AOL CEO’s Assertions Spur Skepticism, Privacy Concerns
Experts say that a company the size of AOL, which pays for its employees’ health costs directly, likely has a “stop-loss” policy that covers expenses after they reach a certain point. The New York Times, meanwhile, explores how the comments by CEO Tim Armstrong raise privacy concerns about how employers treat employees’ private medical data.
Republicans are considering tying an increase in the debt ceiling to restoring pension cuts for military retirees and paying for it by extending automatic cuts to programs, including Medicare. The Medicare doctor payment fix that the GOP was considering tying to the raise is now moving on its own track.
