Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: August 16, 2013
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.
As The Health Law Reshapes The Marketplace, Concerns Emerge
Narrow networks and other efforts to control steps are gaining media attention.
States Continue To Wrestle With Health Law Implementation Issues
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.
Analysis: Physicians Worried About Lawsuits Tend To Order Extra Diagnostic Tests
Reuters reports on a new study.
Critical-Access Hospitals Would Face Funding Trims Under New Plan
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.
Medicare Changes Appear To Be Driving Reduced Used Of Dialysis Drugs
The Washington Post reports on a new study, which finds Food and Drug Administration warnings did not cause a sharp drop in the use of these drugs.
Mo. Lawmaker Readies Challenge To State Coverage For Sterilization, Contraceptives
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
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.
Health Law Promises To Be A Boon For Advertisers
Already, TV executives expect insurers alone to spend as much as $1 billion. Meanwhile, the pro-health law group Organizing for Action released its latest spot.
GOP Operatives Struggle To Find Message On Health Care, Other Major Issues
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.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Mulling The Pros And Cons Of A Govt. Shutdown
Congressioinal Republicans are at odds about whether they should try to block all funding for the health law’s implementation — even if it triggers a government shutdown. Some say it wouldn’t work anyway and might bring with it a high political cost. But a new poll shows blame would likely be split evenly between Democrats and the GOP.
State Highlights: Ga. Waits For Fed Approval On Provider Fee
A selection of health policy stories from Missouri, Georgia, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, West Virginia, New York and Minnesota.
Longer Looks: Fight Against Meth Labs Faces Drug Makers’ Opposition
This week’s articles come from The Fresno Bee, Health Affairs, The Atlantic and Mother Jones.
First Edition: August 15, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a range of health law implementation issues as well as whether the battle over the overhaul is worth a government shutdown.
In Efforts To Implement The Health Law, Delays Stack Up
Recent news coverage has focused on a delay until 2015 for the overhaul’s provision that limits out-of-pocket costs for some patients.
Anticipation Leads To Questions — Will The Health Exchanges Work?
McClatchy asks the central question: “Will it be smooth sailing or a ‘train wreck’?” Meanwhile, other news outlets report on issues such as how experts view the possibility of rate shock when consumers shop for coverage from these online marketplaces, as well as other related developments in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Georgia, Ohio and Colorado.
ASU’s Temporary Faculty Faces Reduced Hours — Many Blame The Health Law
In other implementation news, the Internal Revenue Service has finalized its rule for sharing taxpayer information with states and other agencies, while provider groups are protesting a federal rule that would put them at financial risk when patients fail to pay their health insurance premiums.
State Highlights: UnitedHealthcare Claims Ga. ‘Rigged’ Contract
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Georgia, North Carolina, California, Nevada and Florida.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
