Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: December 12, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including ongoing coverage of the health law’s implementation — from details of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ Wednesday Capitol Hill appearance and more information about the most recent enrollment numbers to analysis of policy issues related to the overhaul.
Health Law Continues To Take A Toll On Obama’s Approval Ratings
New polls indicate that, even as the Obama administration hustles to fix healthcare.gov’s troubles, the overhaul appears to be a drag on Americans’ confidence in President Barack Obama.
Enrollment In Federal And State Health Marketplaces Rises To 365,000
The figures announced by federal officials show a sharp rise in the number of people signing up for insurance in November.
Special Treatment? Examining Who On Capitol Hill Has To Get Coverage On The Health Law’s Exchanges
News outlets take a closer look at the circumstances around how members of Congress and their staffs are navigating getting health coverage on the DC insurance exchange — and just who is required to do so and by when.
Group Says Obamacare Plans Discourage HIV Patients From Enrolling
A coalition of AIDS organizations is asking the Obama administration to investigate whether some insurers are trying to discourage HIV-infected patients from enrolling in their policies by failing to cover some AIDS drugs or through what it called “egregious cost-sharing designs.” Other stories explore the law’s impact on African-Americans and small businesses.
House And Senate Budget Negotiators Reach A Deal
Some say the agreement brokered by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., will create breathing room to allow lawmakers to try to address major federal spending drivers, such as health care and entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security.
Sebelius Orders Probe Of Botched Website Rollout
As Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius headed to Capitol Hill to testify, she announced several steps to address the healthcare.gov issues, including asking the department’s inspector general to review the management decisions behind the rollout and pledging to implement his recommendations. Meanwhile, the president’s choice to lead the Internal Revenue Service, John Koskinen, appears headed for confirmation.
State Highlights: Kaiser Permanente Says Some Patient Data Lost
A selection of health policy stories from California, Wisconsin and Virginia.
100K Sign Up For Coverage Through Insurance Exchange In N.Y., But Problems Elsewhere Persist
More than 100,000 people in New York have signed up for coverage on the health insurance exchange — most in private plans. In the meantime, a Maryland official expresses some doubt that fixes will be done to their exchange by a self-imposed deadline. Also, updates from exchanges in Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont, Oregon, Wisconsin and Colorado.
Filling In The Big Picture: Enrollment Numbers And Goals
News outlets examine the goals, numbers and challenges that continue to surround efforts to enroll new beneficiaries in health coverage either through the health law’s new insurance marketplaces or Medicaid.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Iowa Wins Approval To Expand Medicaid Using Private Plans
Federal officials approved much of Iowa’s proposal to expand low-income health care, but refused to allow the state to charge premiums for those who earn less than the federal poverty level. Iowa becomes the second state after Arkansas to win such a waiver.
First Edition: December 11, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest on how the health law’s implementation is impacting President Barack Obama’s public approval ratings.
To Bridge Trust Gap, Some Health Law Supporters Take Matters Into Their Own Hands
News outlets report on the new approaches and strategies that are emerging as advocates move on from the troubled launch of healthcare.gov.
Healthcare.gov ‘Vastly Improved,’ But Back-End Problems Persist
A little over a week after the deadline that President Barack Obama gave for fixing the federal health care exchange, the system serving 36 states is far more user friendly, according to consumers and navigators. But it is unclear how many of those who enroll in plans may have had garbled or incomplete information sent to insurers because of continuing back-end problems. Problems with the Spanish-language version of the website are also identified.
Senate Finance Committee Scheduled To Vote Thursday On ‘Doc Fix’ Legislation
The measure would permanently change how Medicare pays providers for their services. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office has reduced the price tag associated with repealing the current Medicare payment formula.
Tax Employer Health Care Plans? GOP Rethinks Proposal, Continues Health Law Barrage
A GOP proposal to begin taxing employer-based health care benefits is worrying some Republicans that such a move could hurt the party politically ahead of 2014’s elections. In the meantime, Republicans are continuing their attack on Democrats over the health law, using phrases like “broken promise” and “extraordinary disruption” to describe the law.
Oregon Gov. Kitzhaber To Seek 4th Term; Health Care Will Likely Be A Campaign Issue
John Kitzhaber announced he intends to seek an unprecedented fourth term. In the background, his state continues to experience difficulties with Cover Oregon, the state’s online insurance marketplace.
John Podesta Reportedly Ready To Join White House Team
A former aide to President Bill Clinton is expected to help President Barack Obama as he seeks to recover public support on the health law.
Cost And Quality: Consumers Continue To Face Obstacles
A new report finds that states generally do a poor job in communicating physician quality ratings to consumers, while a Gallup poll finds that cost issues continue to be a reason some people delay care.
