Latest KFF Health News Stories
In Some States, Most Early Marketplace Enrollees Qualify For Medicaid
Many of the uninsured are poor, and applicants don’t have to pay anything to sign up for Medicaid. Shoppers applying for private health coverage through the marketplace have to pay their first monthly premium before they are fully enrolled.
Obama Admits Healthcare.gov Problems, But Says Health Law Is Bigger Than The Website
In a Rose Garden speech, President Barack Obama said there was “no excuse” for the bungled rollout of the online health insurance marketplaces and promised that the difficulties would be ironed out.
Finger Pointing Surrounds Health Care Website Woes
News outlets examine some of the technology issues, as well as political dynamics, that contributed to the launch difficulties.
Ohio Board OKs Medicaid Expansion, Lawsuits Loom
The state Controlling Board agreed Monday to Republican Gov. John Kasich’s proposal to accept federal money to expand Medicaid to more than 275,000 Ohioans. Conservatives, however, are planning lawsuits over Kasich’s circumvention of state lawmakers.
Vows To Fix Insurance Website, But No Details Offered
The Obama administration has been tight-lipped about the cause of the website problems, who has signed on to fix them and what their timetable might be. News outlets report on ideas advanced by technology experts and explore the practical and political ramifications of delayed enrollment.
Judge Expected To Rule On Federal Exchange Subsidies Today
The litigation over the federal health law continues.
In Calif.: Hospital Laptop Thefts, KP Joins Heart Attack Transfer Network
A collection of health care news from California.
Despite Glitch-Ridden Rollout, Health Insurers Not Panicking Yet
Media outlets document the pace of enrollment through health insurance marketplaces in Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Minnesota and Washington state.
Fact Checking DeMint On Medicare/Obamacare Comparison And President On Premium Cost
The Washington Post’s Fact Checker examined several claims about Obamacare.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Sebelius To Testify On Healthcare.gov Problems
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is expected to answer lawmakers’ questions about the troubled rollout of the health law’s exchange website as early as next week. Her staff had declined a request to have her testify Thursday citing scheduling conflicts.
First Edition: October 22, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Obama administration’s plans to address the problems with healthcare.gov.
Obama Calls Healthcare.gov Problems ‘Unacceptable’; Urges Insurance Shoppers To Keep Trying
News outlets covered the Monday speech in which President Barack Obama acknowledged problems but defended the insurance exchange.
‘Tech Surge’ Mounted To Fix Healthcare.gov
The Obama administration promised Sunday to enlist experts both inside and outside the government to solve the problems that have crippled healthcare.gov and caused consumers frustration as they attempt to shop for coverage. But some federal contractors worry the system may be weeks away from operating smoothly.
Health Exchanges By The (Application) Numbers
The Obama administration reports that about 476,000 applications have been filed through federal and state health insurance online marketplaces but has not released how many people have actually enrolled in coverage.
States Shaking Health Law Tree To Deal With What Falls Out
States are grappling with the realities of the health law: Illinois is using social media to field consumer worries over the rollout of the law even as the law brings more money — and more stress — to the state. In the meantime, the differences between exchange launches in Washington state and Oregon are examined.
Medicaid Expansion: Ohio Board To Decide On Governor’s Proposal Today
Republican Gov. John Kasich is seeking to expand Medicaid without the legislature’s approval, a move that could prompt a lawsuit. Elsewhere, the Obamacare’s Medicaid “gap” is examined and health policy experts say they expect more states will end up expanding the program.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Cancellation Notices, Uncertainty Over Doctors In New Plans Spur Concerns
News outlets report on a range of policy issues related to the health law’s implementation.
GOP Sees New Political Battleground Because Of Bumpy Rollout
Though the health law came through the most recent budget battle unscathed, its opponents view the problems with the website as a potential opportunity — both in terms of the fight to derail the law and as an election issue for the upcoming campaign cycle.
