Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Polls Highlight The Health Law’s Uphill Climb
A poll by the Wall Street Journal/NBC News found that many Americans still don’t understand the overhaul and don’t think it will help them. Also, A USA Today/Pew poll finds that the public view of this sweeping initiative is still very negative.
Health Law Enrollment: Gearing Up To Get The Message Out
Health law outreach efforts are proceeding with fits and starts, as one company returns its “navigator” grant because of the high level of scrutiny, while others vow they will be ready to begin enrolling people in the health law’s new coverage.
Corbett, a Republican, is reportedly likely to call for a hybrid program similar to what Arkansas is doing. In Virginia, Democrat Terry McAuliffe’s vows to expand the program for low-income people could hold the state’s budget hostage, Republicans argue.
GOP Keeps Health Law In Political Sights As Others Join In
Republicans continue their drumbeat for defunding and repealing the health law with a menu of political moves — including taking a page from a powerful conservative group’s playbook and making fundraising and radio address appeals.
Final Countdown On For Health Exchange Launches
Federal officials are happy with what may turn out to be a soft launch of the health law’s insurance exchanges Oct. 1. In the meantime, states are busy readying consumers for the exchanges’ kickoffs with informational sessions and campaigns designed at creating a better-informed public.
Long-Term Care Panel Releases Recommendations
Though the panel narrowly approved proposals on Friday, it did not reach a consensus on how to pay for these often expensive services.
Young People Remain In The Dark As Obamacare Exchanges Prepare To Open
Several newspapers explore how uninformed many young people are about new online insurance exchanges which open in two weeks, even though their participation is considered crucial to the markets’ success. Bloomberg News documents how little Texans know about the law, although millions stand to gain coverage. Meanwhile, the New York Times describes a faculty uprising at Pennsylvania State University over a new employee wellness plan that takes some ideas from the law.
State Highlights: N.M. Fraud Investigation Disrupts Mental Health Care
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, New Mexico, California, New York and Kansas.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Obama Blasts GOP Efforts To Defund Health Law
The president, Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” said Republicans are trying to use the debt ceiling as a “lever to radically cut government.”
Obama Administration Turns Down Unions’ Request On Health Law
Organized labor had sought to get premium subsidies for workers who get insurance through union benefit plans sponsored by more than one employer, which are common in some industries.
First Edition: September 16, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about new polling indicating that the health law still faces an uphill climb.
As House GOP’s Intra-Party Fiscal Fight Continues, Dems’ Strategy Is To Not Give In On Health Law
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, is seeking Democratic support to advance fiscal talks to avert a government shut down and raise the debt ceiling. Meanwhile, a bloc of Republican lawmakers unveiled a year-long funding bill that would delay the health law’s implementation for a year — adding to the budgetary chaos on Capitol Hill.
Pa. Governor Likely To Back Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, is reportedly considering models similar to those being pursued by Iowa and Arkansas that rely on private-sector plans to cover the state’s poorest residents. News outlets also report on developments in Arizona and California.
Eli Lilly Files International Drug Patent Lawsuit Against Canadian Government
Politico reports on the lawsuit’s specifics.
MedPAC Contemplates Link Between ACOs and Medigap Plans
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission is considering whether Medicare should create supplemental “Medigap” coverage that would encourage patients to seek treatment from an accountable care organization.
Several media outlets explore the reasons for the AFL-CIO’s criticism of the health care law this week, including concerns about the viability of multi-employer plans which insure about 20 million people and the impact of a “Cadillac tax” starting in 2018 on the most generous plans that may affect some unions’ coverage.
House Passes Bill To Hold Obamacare Subsidies Until Eligibility Verified
The bill directs that insurance subsidies be held up until eligibility is confirmed, something Republicans insisted was needed after HHS granted some states leeway on implementing Obamacare over the summer. The bill appears to be headed nowhere in the Senate.
In Texas, cost and coverage questions are emerging as the launch date of the federal exchange within that state approaches. Also, Trader Joe’s is sending its part-timers to health exchanges for their coverage.
State Highlights: Calif. Skilled Nurses Avoid Pay Cut
A selection of health policy stories from Indiana, Connecticut and California.
