Latest KFF Health News Stories
Exchanges Look To Software And Sports Teams
News outlets report on enrollment activities, including efforts to recruit sports teams, as well as the testing of software for the new online insurance marketplaces.
Viewpoints: Late Hospital Bills Perplex Consumers; Personal Health Data Can ‘Revolutionize’ Care
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Miss. Lawmakers Ready For Special Session On Medicaid
A selection of health policy stories from Mississippi, New York, South Carolina, Kansas, Oregon, California and Colorado.
Weekend Reading: Chemo Revolution, Lyme Disease Confusion and The Residency Mismatch
This week’s stories come from The New York Times, Time, The New Yorker and The New England Journal of Medicine.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports explaining how yesterday’s Supreme Court decision on DOMA impacts federal health benefits and the health law’s coverage expansion.
Texas Democrats Defeat Abortion Bill After Midnight Drama
Democrats in the Texas Senate late Tuesday successfully filibustered abortion legislation that would ban the procedure after 20 weeks of pregnancy and also shutter all but a few abortion clinics in the state.
White House Takes Aim At Latinos, Young People With Health Law Outreach Efforts
Both populations are key to the success of new online health insurance marketplaces, which will begin enrolling people on Oct. 1 for coverage that takes effect Jan. 1.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
The Health Law’s Coverage Expansion: Where There Are Benefits, Where There Is Confusion
The Fiscal Times reports on tools to help consumers understand changes that will occur as a result of the health law while HealthyCal reports that legislators in California are attempting to create a mechanism to provide health insurance for those who fall through the overhaul’s cracks.
Ind., Ark. Medicaid Expansion Plans Take Shape, But Also Take Time
Also, news outlets examine the idea that the expansion’s new enrollees will likely be healthier than current beneficiaries but this will probably not relieve the expansion’s pressure on the health care workforce.
Hospital News: Layoffs At Pa.’s Temple University Health System
Layoffs, affiliations and big revenue numbers make news at hospitals in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Texas.
Electronic Health Records Bring Risks As Well As Benefits
Bloomberg reports on the risks associated with electronic health records.
WellPoint Program Would Let Employers Pay Set Amount For Medical Services
In a separate story, the Journal reports on the ongoing changes at Health Management Associates.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, criticizes the pending immigration bill and health law while Medicare observation care and audits are hot topics during a Senate Finance Committee hearing. Also in the news, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, talks about hospital CEO pay. In addition, he and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., push to open the Medicare claims payment database.
Tavenner Outlines Specifics On Health Exchanges, Other Health Law Issues
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services chief Marilyn Tavenner discussed health excahnges and a variety of other health law issues with Georgia Health News while other news outlets detailed the latest health exchange developments in Minnesota and Colorado.
State Highlights: Ore. Targets Waste With Uniform Credentialing
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, California, Minnesota, Louisiana, Georgia and North Carolina.
Calif. Fines Kaiser Health Plan $4M After Mental Health Care Delivery Delays
Regulators said the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan delayed treatment — sometimes for more than 14 days — for patients who needed mental health care, which is a violation of the law.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the latest developments in the health care marketplace.
Sebelius Ramps Up Enrollment Push
The Obama administration unveiled a revamped HealthCare.gov website, the centerpiece of its campaign in more than 30 states to enroll people in health coverage, as well as a 24-hour consumer call center. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius aims to enroll 7 million people by late March with help from major sports franchises and moms.
Government To Bargain With Insurers Over Exchange Plans
The government will take a “more active role in selecting” insurance plans.
