Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Readies $12M Ad Campaign To Promote Health Law In 13 States
The advertisements, which will begin airing Sept. 30, will encourage consumers in a group of predominantly red states to sign up for insurance available through the health law’s new online marketplaces.
Research Roundup: The Financial Burden Of Hospital Acquired Infections
This week’s studies come from JAMA Internal Medicine, The Kaiser Family Foundation, Preventing Chronic Disease, The Commonwealth Fund and news outlets.
Effort To Fix Doc’s Medicare Pay Formula Gains Momentum
A bill now pending in the House that has cleared the Energy and Commerce Committee would repeal the sustainable growth rate — SGR — formula and replace it with a more quality-based system.
State Highlights: N.M. High Court Rules Malpractice Law Covers Doc Businesses
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, New Mexico, California, South Carolina, Iowa, Florida, Minnesota and Massachusetts.
‘Flurry’ Of New Reports Show Wide Variations On Insurance Rate Costs
News outlets continue to follow recent studies released by several health policy groups about the expected premiums for plans offered on the new online insurance marketplaces.
In States Resistant To The Health Law, Poorest Residents Unlikely To Get Aid
USA Today reports on how, in states that opted not to pursue the health law’s Medicaid expansion, many of the poorest residents may fall through the cracks. Meanwhile, the San Jose Mercury News looks at some of the states that have been the most resistant to implementing the health law.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
For Health Exchanges, Will Soft Launches Lead To Hard Landings?
CQ HealthBeat examines whether the new online insurance marketplaces will be ready to go on Oct. 1, and what possible delays might emerge and how those delays could impact the exchanges’ effectiveness. Also in the headlines, reports from Delaware, Kentucky, Washington, Pennsylvania and Arizona.
First Edition: September 6, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report on the White House’s proposal about how to gather information that would allow the government to enforce the employer mandate, which requires companies with 50 or more workers to provide affordable health insurance to their full-time employees.
Bill Clinton Delivers Speech To Dispel Health Law Confusion
The former president — dubbed the “explainer in chief” — spoke from his presidential library in Arkansas to drum up support for the overhaul and scold Republicans for their repeal efforts.
Overhaul’s Premium Costs Won’t Be Cheap, But Consumers Will Have Options
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation offered estimates of how much government tax credits would lower the price of the “silver” benchmark policy. A second study, this one by Avalere Health, examined sticker prices at a variety of levels.
Investors, Lawyers Among Those Getting Early Boosts From The Health Law
Also in the news, Bloomberg reports that some employers may change their minds about offering employees insurance when tax advantages go up next year.
GOP’s United Front On Obamacare Softens
The GOP’s once rock-solid stance on Obamacare has softened as some Republicans look to move on from waging all-out war on the three-year-old law. Tea Party activists, however, are urging conservative lawmakers to try to stop it. In the meantime, lawmakers from both sides look more united than ever in trying to reform how Medicare pays doctors.
Catholic Bishops Urge That Marketplace Insurance Benefits For Congress Not Include Abortion
Members of Congress and their staffs will switch from the federal health system to the health law’s new exchanges next year and the bishops are demanding that the current prohibitions on abortion funding continue.
Ohio Group Takes Steps To Advance Medicaid Expansion As Ballot Initiative
The coalition, which is made up of health care providers, unions, businesses, religious organizations and others, views this effort as its back up plan if state legislators block Gov. John Kasich’s push to expand the low income health insurance program.
Obama Administration To Provide Veterans’ Same-Sex Spouses Benefits
Attorney General Eric Holder told Congress in a letter that the recent Supreme Court decision clears the way for this change in policy.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Calif. Bill To Expand Abortion Providers Passes
A selection of health policy news from Texas, California, North Carolina, Missouri, Oregon and Colorado.
GOP Lawmakers’ Request For Info About Navigators May Slow Process
Meanwhile, in regard to a separate issue, West Virginia’s attorney general is criticizing the Department of Health and Human Services for not responding to questions about navigator privacy concerns.
Longer Looks: The Bittersweet Decision To Donate Organs
This week’s articles come from Forbes, The Washington Post, Stanford Magazine, The New York Times and The New England Journal of Medicine.
