Latest KFF Health News Stories
Snags Emerge Even In States Where Exchanges Are Working
Insurers are reporting behind-the-scenes technical glitches that could undermine Jan. 1 coverage. In addition, news outlets offer progress reports from California, Connecticut, North Carolina, D.C., Minnesota and Oregon.
Capitol Hill Workers Have Extra Month To Get Health Insurance
Washington D.C.’s insurance exchange has been having problems.
Consumers Are Not Insured Until They Pay 1st Premium
CNN cautions that it’s not enough to sign up for a health law policy — you need to make that first payment to your insurer. Elsewhere, ProPublica looks at healthcare.gov’s back-end system to provide your sign-up information to insurers, and the Obama administration awards $55 million in grants to bolster the health care workforce.
Refusing Medicaid Expansion To Cost States Billions, Study Says
The decision not to participate will costs states billions over the next decade which will be passed onto taxpayers, according to a study by the pro-reform Commonwealth Fund. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett begins the process of seeking federal approval for his proposal to use expansion money to help the poor buy private insurance. And the Wisconsin Assembly votes to give those losing Medicaid three more months to sign up for private plans.
Viewpoints: Health Law Is Here To Stay; Problems For Obamacare Go Beyond Website; Future ‘Doc Shock’
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Gallup Poll: Most Americans Want Health Law Repealed Or Cut Back
Gallup says at least half of Americans have felt that way for the last three years.
Congress Closes In On Modest Budget Deal
Officials say negotiators are cobbling together a deal that offsets planned sequester cuts, but which includes none of the big reductions in Medicare or other entitlements sought by Republicans, nor any of the tax increases sought by Democrats. Instead, it includes targeted measures, such as increased fees for airport-security and federal guarantees of private pensions.
U.S. Charges Russian Diplomats With Defrauding Medicaid In N.Y.C.
Federal officials say 49 Russian diplomats or their spouses defrauded Medicaid of about $1.5 million in improperly awarded benefits over ten years.
State Highlights: Va. Readies New Mental Health Changes
State health policy stories from North Carolina and Virginia.
Research Roundup: ‘Substantial’ Medicare Savings From Avoiding ERs
This week’s studies and briefs come from Health Affairs, The New England Journal of Medicine, Rand Corp., JAMA Pediatrics, JAMA Psychiatry, UCLA and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Ky. Gov. Says State Is ‘Gold Standard’ In Implementing Health Law
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear touted his state’s progress on implementing the health law in appearances on Capitol Hill Thursday during which he also urged his state’s Republicans — including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell — to come see how the exchange is working.
First Edition: December 6, 2103
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about how both the federal and state-based health insurance websites are doing.
The White House’s Latest Health Law Campaign Message
The effort highlights popular parts of the overhaul and how it advances President Barack Obama’s vision of upward mobility and economic security.
Obama Seeks To Connect With Young Adults, Encourages Them To Sign Up For Coverage
The 18-35-year-old demographic is seen as key to achieving stability in the new online insurance marketplaces. But reaching this group is no easy task — their interest and support for the health law appears to be waning.
29,000 Americans Enroll Through Healthcare.gov In 2 Days, Says Source
That total exceeds the number who enrolled during the entire month of October, demonstrating that recent fixes have made the website easier to use.
Nation’s Largest Freight Carriers To Offer Health Benefits To Same-Sex Spouses
The Associated Press reports on this development.
The Ambulance Biz Adds To Health Costs, Do Hospital Observation Services Lower Them?
News outlets examine issues ranging from ambulance costs to hospital observation services.
Viewpoints: Coping With Physician Shortage; ‘Righteous’ Hobby Lobby Cause; Enrolling Millenials
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Hopes Dim For Medicare Doctor Payment Fix This Year, Short-Term Patch Is Likely
Lawmakers may be giving up for this year on permanently fixing how Medicare pays doctors as lawmakers propose another patch to temporarily fix the Sustainable Growth Rate. The Ways and Means Committee, however, is readying to markup a bill next week that would permanently fix the SGR.
Senate Leader Reid Exempting Some Staff From Buying Health Insurance On Exchanges
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is exempting some of his staff from buying health care coverage on the health law’s exchanges, a move the law allows but one that few if any top congressional leadership figures have made. Elsewhere, Rep. Darrel Issa says healthcare.gov could cost $1 billion when the site is finally fully operational.
