Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Health Law’s Effects On Consumer Spending
This week’s studies come from the Rand Corp., the Journal of Health Management, Policy and Innovation, the Annals of Oncology, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Stroke, JAMA Surgery, JAMA Internal Medicine, The Heritage Foundation and news outlets.
First Edition: October 4, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizatons, including continued status reports on state and federal health exchanges as well as the ongoing Capitol Hill budget drama.
Day 2: Consumers Shopping For Insurance On Exchanges Continue To Confront Delays, Challenges
Interest and demand appeared to overload websites and clog phone lines. Federal officials, who were taking steps to build additional capacity into the system, said traffic to the website exceeded expectations.
States Seek Ways To Address Marketplace Trouble Spots; Also Report Progress
News outlets report on the fits and starts of state online health insurance marketplaces in Maryland, New York, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas, Florida, California and Colorado — just to name a few.
President Says He’ll Negotiate Budget Only After Gov’t Reopens Without Changes To Health Law
President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he will only compromise on the federal budget — including addressing long-term Medicare and Medicaid costs — after Republicans agree to reopen the federal government without changing the health law. Republicans may shift their focus to these budget battles and seek savings in entitlement programs and tax reform.
People Without Insurance Seek New Options From Insurance Marketplaces
For consumers who are seeking insurance through the new law, the marketplace’s technical problems have been frustrating, but many remain eager.
The Parts Played By Boehner And Reid In The Shutdown, The Health Law Defunding, And Party Dynamics
Media outlets examine how House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have contributed to the Capitol Hill tensions surrounding the government shutdown and Obamacare fight– both in their relationship with each other and their places within their respective parties.
Calif. Legislator Seeks To Move All State Lawmakers To Marketplace
Republican Assemblyman Brian Nestande doesn’t like the health law but says state legislators should have to live with it. Meanwhile Gov. Jerry Brown signs a bill easing secrecy around the state agency overseeing the health law. In Virginia, Fairfax’s water authority says taxes on generous health plans will cause it to drop coverage for workers.
Security Specialists Say Obamacare Glitches Not Caused By Online Attack
The New York Times reports that the technical problems plaguing the federal exchange websites are not the work of hackers. Meanwhile, Politico looks at the playful security questions that some state exchanges are using.
States’ Refusal To Expand Medicaid Will Prevent Millions From Getting Coverage
The New York Times reports that the decision by about half the states to not expand Medicaid coverage will prevent two-thirds of poor black consumers and single mothers and more than half of low-wage workers from getting insurance.
State Highlights: Texas Ads To Target Wendy Davis
A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Florida and Oregon.
Commentators offer a range of opinions as pressure builds over the closing of the government.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: October 3, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the federal and state health exchanges worked on their second day of operations. In the background, the congressional budget stand off continues.
Despite Snags, Online Insurance Marketplaces Open For Business
The technical glitches were complicated by the millions of people who visited the online health exchanges on Tuesday, their first day of operations. For instance, Health and Human Services officials reported that 2.8 million unique visitors had been to the federal website.
Traffic Reports: High Volume Causes Health Insurance Shoppers To Face Delays
Across the country, states reported computer problems and long wait times as consumers tried to check out the new insurance options available through the health law’s online insurance marketplaces. At the same time, though, many states reported tallies of applications and hits that exceeded expectations.
Figuring Out How To Shop Around On Health Exchanges
News outlets report on the efforts by states, navigators, organizations and others to help uninsured people find their way through the challenges of applying for health insurance on the new online marketplaces. In places ranging from Florida, Ohio and California to Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota, there was a buzz surrounding outreach efforts, and sometimes frustration on the part of consumers attempting to find out about coverage.
Small Insurers Play Larger Role In Health Exchanges
Media outlets examine the rise of small insurers in the new online health insurance marketplaces, the expected increases in physician demand and the importance of enrolling young people to balance the costs of caring for those who are older and sicker.
State Highlights: As Nation Implements Health Law, Mass. Eyes Lowering Costs
A selection of health policy stories from California and Massachusetts.
The impasse in Washington sparked many opinions.
