Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Obama Scolds GOP For Efforts To ‘Gum Up’ The Health Law

Morning Briefing

In his Saturday address, the president says if Republicans continue to work to undermine the overhaul, they will be doing a disservice to their constituents. But Republican Rep. Capito warns health law is not working and calls for an implementation delay.

First Edition: August 19, 2013

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how public perceptions and political opposition continue to swirl around the health law’s implementation.

Planned Parenthood Among Groups Tapped To Receive Health Law Grants

Morning Briefing

Three state-based Planned Parenthood groups were awarded funds to help educate consumers about the insurance options available from the overhaul’s online insurance marketplaces. Other news outlets highlight various other organizations that received funding to be ‘navigators.’

Capitol Hill Health Plan Fix Could Include Abortion Coverage

Morning Briefing

Access to abortion coverage is not offered to other federal employees who get health insurance through the government’s plan. In other congressional news, more analysis of the possible budget battles that could occur over a threatened government shutdown and funds to implement the health law.

Research Roundup: Doctors Aren’t Paid To Talk; Savings From High-Deductible Plans

Morning Briefing

This week’s studies come from the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA Internal Medicine, the Employee Benefit Research Institute, the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, The Rand Corporation and media outlets.

First Edition: August 16, 2013

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the $67 million in grants awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services to help groups assist consumers in navigating the health law.

States Continue To Wrestle With Health Law Implementation Issues

Morning Briefing

Even as a Arkansas effort by a private group to block the health law appears to be falling short, states like Missouri continue to contemplate expanding Medicaid, and, in California, the health exchange experiences growing pains.

Critical-Access Hospitals Would Face Funding Trims Under New Plan

Morning Briefing

The proposal, advanced as part of a report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, would curb enhanced payments to as many as two-thirds of these facilities.

Mo. Lawmaker Readies Challenge To State Coverage For Sterilization, Contraceptives

Morning Briefing

A lawmaker in Missouri prepares to challenge the state government’s insurance coverage that includes sterilization and contraceptives. In the meantime, a group prepares to appeal a ruling upholding the health law’s contraception coverage mandate to the Supreme Court.

DOD Says Same-Sex Spouses To Get Benefits In Early September

Morning Briefing

By early September, gay spouses of military members will get full benefits, including health care coverage. The Department of Defense said the benefits will be retroactive to the Supreme Court decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act in June.

GOP Operatives Struggle To Find Message On Health Care, Other Major Issues

Morning Briefing

As the Republican National Committee holds its summer meeting, leaders like former presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich and Ohio Gov. John Kasich highlight the need to advance solutions to the nation’s health care challenges, rather than being the party that only says “no” to Obamacare.