Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: September 16, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about new polling indicating that the health law still faces an uphill climb.
As House GOP’s Intra-Party Fiscal Fight Continues, Dems’ Strategy Is To Not Give In On Health Law
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, is seeking Democratic support to advance fiscal talks to avert a government shut down and raise the debt ceiling. Meanwhile, a bloc of Republican lawmakers unveiled a year-long funding bill that would delay the health law’s implementation for a year — adding to the budgetary chaos on Capitol Hill.
Pa. Governor Likely To Back Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, is reportedly considering models similar to those being pursued by Iowa and Arkansas that rely on private-sector plans to cover the state’s poorest residents. News outlets also report on developments in Arizona and California.
Eli Lilly Files International Drug Patent Lawsuit Against Canadian Government
Politico reports on the lawsuit’s specifics.
MedPAC Contemplates Link Between ACOs and Medigap Plans
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission is considering whether Medicare should create supplemental “Medigap” coverage that would encourage patients to seek treatment from an accountable care organization.
Several media outlets explore the reasons for the AFL-CIO’s criticism of the health care law this week, including concerns about the viability of multi-employer plans which insure about 20 million people and the impact of a “Cadillac tax” starting in 2018 on the most generous plans that may affect some unions’ coverage.
House Passes Bill To Hold Obamacare Subsidies Until Eligibility Verified
The bill directs that insurance subsidies be held up until eligibility is confirmed, something Republicans insisted was needed after HHS granted some states leeway on implementing Obamacare over the summer. The bill appears to be headed nowhere in the Senate.
In Texas, cost and coverage questions are emerging as the launch date of the federal exchange within that state approaches. Also, Trader Joe’s is sending its part-timers to health exchanges for their coverage.
State Highlights: Calif. Skilled Nurses Avoid Pay Cut
A selection of health policy stories from Indiana, Connecticut and California.
Research Roundup: Insurer Payments To Doctors Vary Across U.S.
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA Pediatrics and news websites.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
States Continue Health Exchange Enrollment Dance
The dust up in Florida surrounding health exchange “navigators” and their ability to set up shop in the same buildings as state health department staff has created a stir. Also in the news, Minnesota’s exchange authorized additional funding for enrollment outreach efforts within that state and Connecticut’s enrollment focus is using some new and some traditional marketing approaches.
First Edition: September 13, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories highlighting how the health law factors into Capitol Hill’s current political dynamics.
With Shutdown Looming, GOP Rift Over Obamacare Stalls Budget Bill
House Republican leaders delayed a vote Wednesday on the stopgap funding measure that would have kept the federal government financed until mid-December after conservatives balked because it didn’t explicitly end funding for the health care law.
Several States Still Facing Debates About Medicaid Expansion
Pennsylvania and Ohio are among the states where the Medicaid question is still in play this year. Meanwhile, in Arizona, an effort to get a referendum to block the expansion fails, and an advocacy group vows to bring a lawsuit to stop it.
Federal Data System For Health Exchanges Passes A Test
Reuters reports this system has now been tested and certified as secure. Meanwhile, Medicare beneficiaries are increasingly confused by the media blitz surrounding the law’s new online insurance marketplaces.
Native Americans Feel Burden Of Mental Health Budget Cuts
NPR reports on this development.
McConnell’s legislation would delay for a year the requirement that individuals get insurance.
Professional Soccer Team Signs Up To Help D.C. Health Exchanges
On the other side of the issue, Heritage unveils a new billboard in New York City.
News outlets report on the ambitious plans of a handful of health insurance co-ops starting from scratch after being funded by the law, how smokers may be charged higher premiums if they don’t take cessation classes and the challenge of explaining the law in multiple languages.
