Latest KFF Health News Stories
Census: Number Of People Without Health Insurance Largely Unchanged In 2012
According to the Census Bureau, the percentage of people without health insurance coverage declined to 15.4 percent in 2012 ? from 15.7 percent in 2011. However, the 48.0 million people without coverage in 2012 was not statistically significantly different from the 48.6 million in 2011.
The fiscal choices set up intra-party fissure for Republicans and draw more tough talk from President Barack Obama.
Expect Influx Of Newly Insured To Doctor Offices
The Associated Press reports on how the influx of newly insured people brought about by the health law could create a back log for physicians while the Los Angeles Times explores how group appointments may be one of the solutions.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Medicaid Expansion Increasingly In Vogue With Republican Governors
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder are among the most recent to step forward and express interest and even support for the health law’s Medicaid expansion.
As The Clock Ticks Down, Premium Information Still Elusive In Some States
The St. Louis Beacon reports that Missouri consumers will have to wait for the Oct. 1 launch date to get answers about how much the new coverage will cost. Other news outlets offer state-specific coverage of how the marketplaces are taking shape and what types of impact they might have.
Health Insurance Exchange News: Investors Say 4 Million Americans Will Initially Enroll
This number is well below the Congressional Budget Office’s prediction of seven million. Meanwhile, USA Today reports that many Americans will pay less than $100 a month in premiums, based on an HHS report to be released today.
State Highlights: New Iowa Nursing Home Regs Under Fire
A selection of health policy stories from Iowa, California, New York and Washington, D.C.
First Edition: September 17, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories detailing how the health law’s new online insurance marketplaces will work.
New Polls Highlight The Health Law’s Uphill Climb
A poll by the Wall Street Journal/NBC News found that many Americans still don’t understand the overhaul and don’t think it will help them. Also, A USA Today/Pew poll finds that the public view of this sweeping initiative is still very negative.
Health Law Enrollment: Gearing Up To Get The Message Out
Health law outreach efforts are proceeding with fits and starts, as one company returns its “navigator” grant because of the high level of scrutiny, while others vow they will be ready to begin enrolling people in the health law’s new coverage.
Corbett, a Republican, is reportedly likely to call for a hybrid program similar to what Arkansas is doing. In Virginia, Democrat Terry McAuliffe’s vows to expand the program for low-income people could hold the state’s budget hostage, Republicans argue.
GOP Keeps Health Law In Political Sights As Others Join In
Republicans continue their drumbeat for defunding and repealing the health law with a menu of political moves — including taking a page from a powerful conservative group’s playbook and making fundraising and radio address appeals.
Final Countdown On For Health Exchange Launches
Federal officials are happy with what may turn out to be a soft launch of the health law’s insurance exchanges Oct. 1. In the meantime, states are busy readying consumers for the exchanges’ kickoffs with informational sessions and campaigns designed at creating a better-informed public.
Long-Term Care Panel Releases Recommendations
Though the panel narrowly approved proposals on Friday, it did not reach a consensus on how to pay for these often expensive services.
Young People Remain In The Dark As Obamacare Exchanges Prepare To Open
Several newspapers explore how uninformed many young people are about new online insurance exchanges which open in two weeks, even though their participation is considered crucial to the markets’ success. Bloomberg News documents how little Texans know about the law, although millions stand to gain coverage. Meanwhile, the New York Times describes a faculty uprising at Pennsylvania State University over a new employee wellness plan that takes some ideas from the law.
State Highlights: N.M. Fraud Investigation Disrupts Mental Health Care
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, New Mexico, California, New York and Kansas.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Obama Blasts GOP Efforts To Defund Health Law
The president, Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” said Republicans are trying to use the debt ceiling as a “lever to radically cut government.”
Obama Administration Turns Down Unions’ Request On Health Law
Organized labor had sought to get premium subsidies for workers who get insurance through union benefit plans sponsored by more than one employer, which are common in some industries.
