Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Insurer Payments To Doctors Vary Across U.S.
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA Pediatrics and news websites.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
States Continue Health Exchange Enrollment Dance
The dust up in Florida surrounding health exchange “navigators” and their ability to set up shop in the same buildings as state health department staff has created a stir. Also in the news, Minnesota’s exchange authorized additional funding for enrollment outreach efforts within that state and Connecticut’s enrollment focus is using some new and some traditional marketing approaches.
First Edition: September 13, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories highlighting how the health law factors into Capitol Hill’s current political dynamics.
With Shutdown Looming, GOP Rift Over Obamacare Stalls Budget Bill
House Republican leaders delayed a vote Wednesday on the stopgap funding measure that would have kept the federal government financed until mid-December after conservatives balked because it didn’t explicitly end funding for the health care law.
Several States Still Facing Debates About Medicaid Expansion
Pennsylvania and Ohio are among the states where the Medicaid question is still in play this year. Meanwhile, in Arizona, an effort to get a referendum to block the expansion fails, and an advocacy group vows to bring a lawsuit to stop it.
Federal Data System For Health Exchanges Passes A Test
Reuters reports this system has now been tested and certified as secure. Meanwhile, Medicare beneficiaries are increasingly confused by the media blitz surrounding the law’s new online insurance marketplaces.
Native Americans Feel Burden Of Mental Health Budget Cuts
NPR reports on this development.
McConnell’s legislation would delay for a year the requirement that individuals get insurance.
Professional Soccer Team Signs Up To Help D.C. Health Exchanges
On the other side of the issue, Heritage unveils a new billboard in New York City.
News outlets report on the ambitious plans of a handful of health insurance co-ops starting from scratch after being funded by the law, how smokers may be charged higher premiums if they don’t take cessation classes and the challenge of explaining the law in multiple languages.
Feds To Pa.: Shift Some Kids On CHIP To Medicaid
Federal officials denied a request by Pennsylvania to keep more than 50,000 children on the state CHIP program and have instead instructed officials there to shift the kids’ coverage to Medicaid ahead of implementation of Obamacare.
For Small Companies And Self-Employed People, Health Law Raises Questions
This pair of stories from The Associated Press outlines how confusing the health law can be for both small business owners as well as the self-employed with high income.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Marketing Of Health Law Goes Mainstream
The Associated Press reports that applying for coverage in new online insurance marketplaces will feel like a combination of doing your taxes and making a big purchase. Other media outlets describe how insurers are opening stores to pitch directly to consumers, while a few companies are creating look-alike exchange websites — some of which may be scams.
State Highlights: Nation’s Older Population Strains Budgets In Northeast
A selection of health policy stories from Michigan, Alaska, Texas, Oregon and California.
AFL-CIO Ramps Up Criticism Of Health Law
The labor federation approved a resolution Wednesday urging changes to parts of President Barack Obama’s health care law that it says would drive up the costs of union-sponsored health plans to the point that workers and employers would abandon them.
Longer Looks: Understanding the Mind; Facebook Depression; Planning For A Successful End Of Life
This week’s selections come from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, NBC News and The New Yorker.
First Edition: September 12, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a range of stories related to the politics and policies in play as Oct. 1 — the health law’s big day — quickly approaches.
Some House GOP Lawmakers Take Hard Line Position Against Health Law Funding In Debt Limit Debate
As Republican leaders unveiled a plan to avert a government shutdown, they faced the challenge of building support for the proposal within their own ranks because it does not defund the health law. Some within the caucus reacted with skepticism. But, if enough support can be shored up, a vote could be scheduled as early as Thursday.
