Latest KFF Health News Stories
Looking Ahead: The President’s State Of The Union Address Talking Points
The Washington Post notes that key among President Barack Obama’s messages will be the defense of the health law.
Longer Looks: Leaving Antidepressants; The Lack Of Tech-Savvy Doctors
This week’s articles come from Al Jazeera, The Atlantic, Medscape, KevinMD and The New Yorker.
First Edition: January 23, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a new survey indicating that the nation’s uninsured rate dropped modestly this month.
Target To Drop Health Coverage For Part-Time Workers
A corporate blog post by the company’s human resources chief cited the health plans now available on public health exchanges as part of Target’s decision, as well as the fact that only about 10 percent of its estimated 360,000 employees participated in the plan that is being discontinued. Those workers will be given $500 because their current coverage is ending.
Despite Gains, Covered California Lags With Latinos
California’s health exchange has enrolled more than 625,000 people in private insurance plans, but the state’s struggle to reach uninsured Latinos is drawing criticism.
Arkansas Official: No Back-Up If ‘Private Option’ Medicaid Expansion Is Blocked
The head of Arkansas’ Department of Human Services said he doesn’t have an alternative budget if lawmakers block the state’s Medicaid expansion plan when they reconvene next month. Meanwhile, news outlets in Florida, Idaho and Maine report on debates over whether to pursue the expansion.
State Highlights: N.Y. Hospitals Wait For Medicaid Waiver
A selection of health policy stories from New York, California, Washington and Georgia.
High Court Justices Debate Union Rights For Home Health Care Workers
The case was argued before the Supreme Court Tuesday and the justices seemed split. Justice Antonin Scalia may be the swing vote.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Maryland Advances Bill To Cover Frustrated Applicants
The Maryland Senate has sent the House of Delegates a measure to provide immediate health insurance to people who sought unsuccessfully to enroll in the state’s troubled health exchange. Meanwhile, Texas’ top insurance regulator released new rules for navigators and Minnesota’s exchange woes are covered.
Health Law Touching People Who Have Insurance Through Their Workplace
News outlets examine this issue as well as other parts of the health law and how they may impact consumers, including how to avoid tax surprise related to the overhaul and an examination of how young adults may or may not find value in obtaining coverage.
First Edition: January 22, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report that Target announced its plans to stop offering health coverage to part-time workers.
The New York Times also notes that many of these new Medicaid beneficiaries are people who have not had insurance before. Meanwhile, news outlets continue to track developments regarding how governors continue to wrestle with Medicaid decisions — including those in Virginia, Michigan and Maine. Also in the news, a problem with Maryland’s Medicaid enrollment.
Trials, And A Few Unexpected Triumphs, For Insurance Exchanges
A procurement document posted on a federal website gives the newest Obamacare contractor until mid-March to build the back end of healthcare.gov, predicting dire consequences if the work is not completed on time. Other media outlets report exchange developments from Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin, Georgia and Minnesota.
Supreme Court Today Hears Case On Medicaid Home Health Workers’ Right To Form Public Employee Union
The case involves workers in Illinois who serve Medicaid patients at home. The state says allowing a union helps provide a more stable workforce, but opponents argue that the move was a “political payback” by state Democrats.
As Specialists Become ‘Entrepreneurial,’ Patients’ Costs Soar
The New York Times reports on this trend.
Media outlets present a variety of views on impact of the health overhaul.
HHS To Start With Beneficiaries Backlog In Medicare Claims Appeals
The Department of Health and Human Services moves to break up a big backlog of Medicare claims appeals, with beneficiary hearings taking precedent. In the meantime, The Fiscal Times looks at overpayment in private Medicare Fee-For-Service plans.
Abortion Rights Fight Central To Midterm Election Races
Abortion rights have yet again become a central issue in midterm elections while an order of nuns finds itself in the center of the health law’s contraception coverage mandate.
As Some States Look To Kill Obamacare, Maryland Bill Would Boost Enrollees
While legislators in at least seven states contemplate measures to stop implementation of the health law, Maryland’s Senate advanced a bill to provide insurance to those who were unable to enroll in that state’s troubled health exchange website.
