Latest KFF Health News Stories
Political Playbooks Direct Lawmakers To Find Obamacare ‘Stories’
Lawmakers are being urged by their respective parties to publicize constituents’ experiences with Obamacare — horror stories, in the case of Republicans, and success stories showing the law “delivering on its promise” for Democrats. Meanwhile, a CNN/ORC poll shows that Democrats have lost their post-government shutdown lead among registered voters in a generic ballot.
How Washington State Made Its Health Insurance Exchange Work; Philly Plans Big Exchange Push
Health insurance exchanges in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, California and Oregon make news.
Supreme Court To Hear Arguments On Health Law’s Contraceptive Coverage Mandate
The justices accepted a pair of cases that raise questions not just about religious freedom and equality for female employees, but whether the religious beliefs of the owners of secular corporations allows them to not comply with a law.
Consumers Urged To Give Healthcare.gov Another Try — Just Not Too Many Of Them
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday that healthcare.gov is “improved every day.” But the administration delayed a big marketing campaign planned for December and is asking allies to hold back their enrollment pushes to avoid a crush of new users.
Marketplace News: Private Health Insurance Exchanges; Health Costs Rise For Big Firms
Issues in the health care marketplace make news: Private health care exchanges, not the ones associated with the health law, are becoming more prominent. In addition, health care costs for large businesses in Los Angeles rise 4.5 percent.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
This week’s articles come from Health Affairs, The New York Times, The Atlantic and The Weekly Standard.
Today’s headlines from major new organizations, including several previewing how the online health insurance website is expected to work after the Obama administration’s deadline this weekend for fixes.
Supreme Court Will Decide Health Law Contraception Challenge
The justices will review provisions in the Affordable Care Act requiring employers of a certain size to offer insurance coverage for birth control and other reproductive health services without a co-pay.
FDA Orders Halt To Marketing For DNA Test Kit
The agency says the tests haven’t been proven effective.
Tactics To Sell The Health Law: Moms And Local News
The administration, as well as insurers and advocacy groups, will rely on several tactics to sell the public on the health law, appealing to mothers to recruit their adult children and seeking positive news coverage from local, rather than national, media. Community groups, meanwhile, are encountering challenges in enrolling Latinos, reports The Chicago Tribune.
Medical Advances, Teaching Hospital Procedures Inflate Health Care Costs
Hospitals are examining “post-intensive-care syndrome” and other elements of their procedures to measure the impact on their bottom lines.
In addition, a Colorado lawmaker is fuming over “racy” ads to promote the state health insurance exchange.
Health Law Coverage Bringing Changes To An Array Of Consumers
News outlets explore some of these issues, including new costs for people with “Cadillac” coverage, “narrow networks” of doctors and other health providers, new options for part-time workers and unexpected effects on smokers. In the meantime, exchanges are bracing for a busy December, and Covered California launches a hotline to help people having sign-up problems.
Troubled Effort To Devise New Cholesterol Guidelines
The New York Times explores what went wrong as a group of doctors struggled to find common ground on how heart issues should be treated. Other stories also look at consumer frustration about a landmark settlement on hip implants and concerns being reviewed by the FDA about emergency contraceptive pills.
Anthem Blue Cross Exposes 24,500 Doctors’ Social Security, Tax Numbers
Data breaches in Vermont and in Oregon’s health insurance exchanges also make news.
Chances For Small-Bore Budget Deal Said To Improve
Despite a polarized Congress, The Associated Press reports that the prospects for a modest, end-of-year budget deal are looking up. Neither party would achieve its biggest priority with such an agreement, however.
Medicaid Expansion: Florida Stalls; Ohio Lawsuits; Kansas Hospitals Weigh In
States dominated by Republican governors and legislatures continue to wrestle with decisions about expanding Medicaid to poor people who don’t currently qualify.
Miami-Area Seniors Get ‘White-Glove’ Treatment From Private Plans
The Miami Herald reports that seniors in South Florida have benefited from the highly lucrative and super competitive world of privately managed Medicare Advantage plans.
Administration: Healthcare.gov On Target To Work For Most By Nov. 30
Administration officials and consumer advocates say that the enrollment website serving residents of 36 states is becoming easier for people to use, but insurers warn that flaws continue to hinder health plans.
