Latest KFF Health News Stories
Federal Officials Begin Sending States Applications From Residents Eligible For Medicaid
The administration is delivering the data to states so that they can enroll new applicants. Meanwhile, in Virginia, the legislative panel holds its last meeting of the year without a recommendation about Medicaid expansion, and Colorado reports its latest enrollment figures.
Insured, Uninsured Are Uncertain Over Impact Of Health Law On Them, Poll Finds
Both insured and uninsured Americans worry about what the health law means for them, a new poll reveals. In the meantime, however, another poll says that despite concerns over the measure, the public is not keen on giving control of the law to Republicans over Democrats in next year’s elections.
Bipartisan Budget Opens Door To Hope For More Cooperation
The Senate is nearing final passage of a bipartisan two-year budget proposal that is giving lawmakers on both sides of the aisle hope that cooperation on other legislation is on the way.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Lady Promotes Health Law To Moms, Minorities
In addition to joining her husband in a White House meeting with mothers, Michelle Obama will do a series of interviews with the nation’s most popular African-American radio hosts to encourage people to sign up for coverage through the health law.
Workers And Some Employers Wary Of Incentives To Improve Health
The health law allows job-based health plans to boost the rewards for workers who adopt healthier habits.
Under Fire, MNsure Director Resigns Abruptly
The head of Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, April Todd-Malmlov, resigned Tuesday after facing criticism over the troubled rollout and a questionably timed vacation in Costa Rica.
State Highlights: Va. Governor-Elect Will Keep Republican’s Health Secretary
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, Illinois and Connecticut.
Insurers Struggling To Meet Health Law’s Shifting Deadlines
The administration’s effort to stretch the enrollment period after the botched rollout of the healthcare.gov website has complicated efforts by insurers and left some consumers concerned about their coverage.
First Edition: December 18, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the former Microsoft executive who has been tapped by the Obama administration to take over the repairs of healthcare.gov.
Fix In Health Website Helps Stop Freefall In Obama’s Popularity
An ABC News/Washington Post poll suggests opposition to the health law has eased in the past month. Meanwhile, the administration says that the president will soon name someone to replace Jeffrey Zients to oversee the operation of the insurance website.
Obama Seeks Advice On Healthcare.gov From Tech Giants
President Barack Obama was slated to meet Tuesday with executives from leading technology companies, including Google, Microsoft and Apple, to solicit suggestions on the federal health care exchange website. The impact of federal surveillance efforts on those companies’ customers is also expected to come up.
Texas Navigators In The Hot Seat During Congressional ‘Field Hearing’
After allegations of wrongdoing, a congressional hearing held Monday in Richardson, Texas, focused on the required training, and the lack of background checks and fingerprinting, for those who were on the job.
Insurers Object To Charity Helping Poor Buy Health Coverage
The charity, A Better LA, said it would sign up 50 low-income Californians for Obamacare plans, but insurers protested that such help could skew insurance pools toward sicker people, The Wall Street Journal reports. Other media explore the increase in challenges to the tax breaks traditionally given to nonprofit hospitals and Medicare’s release of data rating hospitals on hip and knee replacement surgeries.
New Report: Medicaid ‘Gap’ Hurts Minorities Most; Va.’s Outgoing Governor Ponders Expansion Review
And, The Washington Post profiles Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, a Republican whose state is expanding Medicaid and has its own insurance exchange.
One Week And Counting Until Dec. 23 — An Important Health Law Deadline
News outlets report that the Department of Health and Human Services says healthcare.gov is ready and able to meet the needs of the many customers who visit the site in order to obtain insurance by Dec. 23 — the deadline for Jan. 1 coverage. About 1.9 million people have made it deep into the online process so far but have not yet selected coverage.
Problems In States’ Health Insurance Exchanges Persist As Officials Ready Deadline Push
In Maryland, Gov. Martin O’Malley has hired new contractors to make sure the state’s online health insurance exchange works properly even as new problems arise. In the meantime, Minnesota lawmakers are sparring over fixes to that state’s exchange, and California’s marketplace faces enrollment challenges as deadlines loom.
Immigrants, LGBT Americans, Small Business Employees — Does The Health Law Help Them?
News outlets examine the various groups that might be falling through the health law’s coverage gaps, or that might face higher costs as well as some of the efforts underway to reach them.
Glaxo To Stop Paying Docs Worldwide For Drug Advocacy
The pharmaceutical giant ended the practice in the U.S. in 2011.
A selection of health policy stories from the District of Columbia, Virginia, Georgia and Illinois.
