Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Highlights: Calif. Gov. Vetoes ‘Biosimilars’ Bill
A selection of health policy stories from California.
Where Seniors Live Affects Their Health Care And The Medications They Get
The Associated Press examines how geography can make a key difference in the treatments that Medicare beneficiaries receive. Other outlets look at the annual open enrollment period for Medicare prescription drug plans. USA Today reports that thousands who rely on nursing home trust funds have had their savings mismanaged or stolen.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: October 16, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories detailing how certain health law provisions are factoring in to the continuing congressional budget stalemate.
Rocky Opening Leaves Health Law’s New Co-Ops Jittery
Nothing is more important for a startup burning through cash than winning customers and revenue. So problems with the Affordable Care Act’s online marketplaces aren’t just an inconvenience for new insurance co-ops; they’re a threat.
Senate Leaders Close In On Deal That Leaves Health Law Intact
The agreement could include a one-year delay in the health law’s reinsurance tax, as well as a measure to tighten income verification standards for qualifying for health insurance subsidies.
Data Suggest State-Run Online Insurance Marketplaces Making Progress
Meanwhile, headlines across the country offer updates on specific state exchanges in California, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota and Colorado.
Forms Not Ready For Those Seeking Exemption From Health Law Mandate
News outlets also report that e-brokers cannot offer exchange plans right away, and that some people may try to use the online marketplaces to mislead consumers.
Ohio Board Readies Decision On State’s Medicaid Expansion
A seven-member state committee holds the fate of Ohio’s Medicaid expansion in its hands as it prepares to vote on the proposal, and none is talking about how they plan to vote.
Medicare Open-Enrollment Begins: Seniors Should Carefully Consider New Options
Officials are cautioning seniors to closely consider their options — and to stay away from the health law’s new online marketplaces — as open-enrollment season begins for Medicare managed care and prescription plans.
Confusion, Anger And Criticism Mark Some Obamacare Attitudes
The public is still puzzled, tea party groups seeth with anger over the piecemeal chipping away of the health law and Sen. Mary Landrieu stands out among colleagues from the South for supporting the law. Meanwhile, a former Obama administration spokesman reveals criticism over the insurance exchange launches.
Hospital Chiefs Earn Big Bucks For ‘Glitzier’ Medicine
A JAMA Internal Medicine study found that quality of patient care at a facility is less likely to be reflected in the CEO’s pay than other factors.
State News: Insurer Drop-Out To Affect 22,000 On N.Y. Medicaid Managed Care
A selection of health policy stories from New York and Texas.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Shutdown Commentaries: Compromise May Take Nick Out Of Health Law; ‘The Party Of Gimme’
Opinion writers examine the efforts on Capitol Hill to solve the current budget impasse and its effect on health spending.
First Edition: October 15, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the budget deal taking shape in the Senate would not derail the health law, but would include some tweaks.
Battle Lines Change As Negotiators Appear To Drop GOP Efforts To Derail The Health Law
As the nation approaches its debt limit and the federal government remains shut down, a deal continues to be elusive.
GOP Lawmakers Probe Marketplace Bugs
Republicans on both sides of the Capitol are investigating technical problems with the health law’s online health insurance marketplaces — with one senator going so far as to call for the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Others bemoan the lost opportunity to publicize the balky rollout because public attention was focused instead on the government shutdown.
Experts Worry About Other Trouble Spots With Health Law Marketplaces
Politico reports that other steps in the online enrollment process, including computing subsidies and transferring signup information to insurers may also have bugs. The Associated Press reports that some insiders predicted the problems well before the website launch, while The Washington Post notes that paper applications are increasingly popular because of the problems.
Asthma: The Costs Of Meds And Challenges Of Care
Although asthma can usually be controlled with prescription medications, being able to afford them requires good insurance or lots of disposable income. Meanwhile, reducing the emergency-room visits of children who suffer from asthma is a key to holding down costs and having better luck controlling the condition.
