Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the readiness of the health law’s insurance online marketplaces for the Oct. 1 enrollment kick-off date.
Consumers Can Take First Step To Enrolling In New Insurance Options Today
Consumers in most states can start the process of enrolling in Obamacare today, but they won’t be able to compare health insurance prices or buy coverage in the new federally run online insurance marketplaces until Oct. 1, administration officials said Monday.
GOP Still Embroiled In Intra-Party Split Over Govt. Shutdown And Efforts To Defund The Health Law
Some Republican governors are urging members of Congress to step away from the government shutdown threat. And while some GOP leaders are signaling that efforts to gut health law funding will not be considered in this fall’s budget battle, rank-and-file lawmakers have opinions of their own.
Democratic Governors See Political Advantage In Efforts To Implement The Health Law
News coverage of issues related to readiness and premium costs in the health exchanges could boost Democrats in some states.
Viewpoints: Republicans’ ‘Temper Tantrum’ On Health Care; ‘Mixed Message’ On Cancer
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Aetna Pulls Insurance Plans From Md.’s Health Law Exchange
In state health insurance marketplace news, Aetna won’t sell its plans on Maryland’s version of the exchange over concerns premiums wouldn’t cover costs. Officials in Colorado, Missouri, California and Oregon also face decisions about their marketplaces and the challenges to enrolling their residents in them.
Federal Judge Blocks Wisconsin Abortion Law
A federal judge blocked a Wisconsin abortion law from taking effect until a decision is made about its constitutionality. The law would require that women have an ultrasound before having the procedure, and that doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
Public Unions Pushed To Accept Less Expensive Health Benefits
The New York Times explores how local governments are pressing unions to accept less expensive benefit packages to avoid the health law’s so-called Cadillac tax which goes into effect in 2018. Other news outlets examine health law outreach efforts, as well as how August might be a ‘steamy’ month of town hall meetings.
State Highlights: NYC To Gather Bids For Its Health Insurance Costs
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Texas, Arizona and California.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about state efforts to implement the health law.
GOP Split On Government Shutdown to ‘Defund’ Obamacare
Othe Sunday talk shows Republican Reps. Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan said they disagreed with the strategy of Sens. Mike Lee and Ted Cruz.
Republicans’ Obamacare Twofer: 40th Repeal-Type Vote, Sen. Collins Blasts Employer Provision
News outlets covered Friday’s vote in the House of Representatives to keep the IRS from enforcing parts of the Affordable Care Act and today’s weekly GOP address by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Talk Of Budget ‘Grand Bargain’ Continues
Just as lawmakers prepared to depart for their August break, President Barack Obama sought to revive interest in a budget deal combining new tax revenue with cuts to health and retirement benefits. A group of Senate Republicans appeared interested, but there were no signs of engagement by the House GOP.
40th Repeal Vote Unlikely To Be Charm For House Republicans
The vote in the GOP-controlled House, scheduled for Friday, would prevent the Internal Revenue Service from enforcing any part of the health law. Some news outlets explore why GOP lawmakers continue pushing purely symbolic votes that will go nowhere in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Others report on the intra-party split regarding the strategy to shut down the government unless the law is defunded this fall.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Health Law Supporters Plan August Strategy To Counter Criticism
In response to efforts by some Republican lawmakers who are threatening to shut down the government as part of their attempt to stop the health law’s implementation, some progressive groups plan to organize their own town hall meetings and stage protests at GOP events, among other things, to tout the law’s perks. Others will go door to door to encourage consumers to enter the insurance market.
Spin Battle Over Obamacare Premiums Continues
Kaiser Health News offers five pointers to help you make sense of contradictory headlines about how much insurance could cost you when the Affordable Care Act marketplaces open for enrollment in October. Meanwhile, other media report on states’ projections of what premiums may cost in the online marketplaces next year.
Assessing Health Law’s Impact On Cities, People
Local reports examine what cities have to gain from the health law as well as the relative health of their residents.
Deal Will Keep Federal Contributions For Insurance When Congress Moves To Exchanges
Members of the House and Senate and aides are being switched to the online marketplaces set up by the health law.
Mich. Legislative Panel Moves Medicaid Expansion Forward
The approval for making at least 320,000 low-income adults eligible for Medicaid sets the stage for a crucial Senate vote later this month.
