Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obama In Texas: While Defending Health Law, He Went On Offense About Medicaid Expansion
President Barack Obama continued to lament the problems plaguing the federal online insurance marketplace, but he also scolded the Texas government for its resistance to the health law’s Medicaid expansion, which, he said, left more than a million of the state’s people uninsured.
Humana Offers Perspective On How Botched Healthcare.gov Rollout Has Affected Insurance Industry
In a Wednesday call with investors, the company’s chief operating officer said Humana assumes that, because of the website problems, the government will extend the open enrollment period beyond its current March 31 cutoff. The insurer also scaled back its estimates of how many people will sign up for new coverage options.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Officials Seek Public Watchdog For Health System Money
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, Florida, California and Oregon.
Top IT Official For Healthcare.gov Resigns
Tony Trenkle, the federal official responsible for Healthcare.gov’s launch and security, is moving to the private sector. CBS News reports that Trenkle was supposed to sign off on the site’s security before launch but didn’t.
Longer Looks: Bad Behavior Treatment; End Of Life Decisions
This week’s articles come from the Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Stanford Medicine, the Baltimore Sun and the Center for Investigative Reporting.
First Edition: November 7, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about President Barack Obama’s efforts to bolster support for the health law, as well as the tough questions faced by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in her appearance before the Senate Finance Committee.
Obama Resets The ‘Keep Your Insurance’ Pledge, Heads To Texas
President Barack Obama will be visiting an area — Dallas County — that has one of the highest concentrations of uninsured people in the nation. He is expected to urge Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a staunch opponent of the health law, to follow the lead of other Republican state executives and pursue the overhaul’s Medicaid expansion.
Sebelius Faces More Questions — This Time From A Senate Panel
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will face a new round of questioning as she appears before the Senate Finance Committee to face growing concern and criticism about healthcare.gov and about recent news surrounding health plan cancellations.
Officials Stepping Up Pressure On Insurers To Stop Cancellations, Or Explain Them
Insurance industry officials meet with White House officials, and California convinces one company to delay cancellations for three months.
What’s Behind The Medicaid Enrollment Jump?
Stateline examines the reasons why Medicaid enrollment is soaring in the 25 expansion states. Meanwhile, in Missouri, Gov. Jay Nixon may be attempting to resurrect his state’s conversation.
Study: Premiums In Red States After Health Law Rose More Than In Blue States
The Heritage Foundation reports that premiums for people who live in “red” states — those with more Republicans — are seeing their health coverage premiums rise more on average than those in “blue” states. In the meantime, an analysis shows how many people will be eligible for health law coverage subsidies in Georgia and Oregon.
Tavenner Tells Senate Panel To Expect 800K Enrollees By End Of Nov., Answers Security Questions
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said Tuesday that fixes have been made to the federal website to improve users’ experiences. She also answered questions about an exchange security breach that she said is fixed. In the meantime, the Obama administration faces growing skepticism from those in its own party on the rollout.
The Health Law’s Impact On Food Stamp Eligibility; Will Unions Get The Tax Relief They Are Seeking?
News outlets offer the latest news on a range of health law implementation issues.
UnitedHealthcare CEO: Medicare Advantage Benefit Cuts Are ‘The New Frontier’
The Tampa Bay Times looks at cuts to the provider networks in Medicare Advantage plans marketed by AARP and whether they indicate more changes are coming for the popular insurance plans for seniors.
Sens. Landrieu, Manchin Seek Support For Bills To Amend Health Law
The Democrats are offering legislation that would seek to stop the cancellations of individual market policies and delay fines set up by the health law for people who don’t secure coverage.
‘War Room’ Notes Offer View Of Chaos That Surrounded Healthcare.gov Launch
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, released more than 100 pages of documents showing how the difficulties and glitches were chronicled.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
HCA Profits Up, CVS Forecasts The Same On Filling More Prescriptions
HCA reports greater profits over higher admissions to their hospitals, while CVS Caremark forecasts higher profit on filling more prescriptions.
State Highlights: New Va. Governor-Elect Pledges To Expand Medicaid
A selection of health policy stories from Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida, California and Colorado.
