Latest KFF Health News Stories
Employers Trim Health Costs Using Obamacare As Cover
Many of these practices began well before the federal health law took effect. But several news outlets report that the law is giving businesses cover to shift additional costs onto employees and their families –an effort that may reinforce the law’s unpopularity.
White House Takes Steps To Assure Consumers About Safety Of Exchanges
The announcement of anti-fraud measures, part of a coordinated federal effort to protect consumers, came after a House committee warned of “risks of fraud and misinformation” in efforts to enroll millions of people eligible for subsidized insurance in new online marketplaces.
First Edition: September 19, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about future health spending projections from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Actuaries as well as the latest on the upcoming House vote on a stopgap funding measure that would also defund the health law.
House GOP Considers Attaching Defunding Provision To Stopgap Measure To Prevent Shutdown
A vote could take place next week, which adds to concerns about the likelihood of a government shutdown. Also in the news, some Republicans are floating alternative strategies to help avert this drastic outcome.
CBO Issues Not-So-Rosy Long-Term Budget Outlook
In the short term, the federal deficit will fall. But, starting in 2016, as more baby boomers join the Medicare ranks, the deficits again will pick up. With this news in the backdrop, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew warned Republican lawmakers of the dangers of risking a government default as part of their efforts to derail the implementation of the health law.
Obamacare Navigators Caught In Debate Over Data Security
As Republican House investigators demand additional safeguards to ensure thieves don’t impersonate government-funded navigators to steal consumer information, the Obama administration plans a high-level effort to reassure people that their data are safe.
Putting The Health Law Puzzle Pieces Together, And Making Sense Of It
News organizations help make sense of all the different moving parts of the health law — attitudes, concerns, lawsuits and business decisions — as the nation gears up for Oct. 1’s launch of the health insurance exchanges.
Marketplace Enrollment Efforts Set To Move To Center Stage
Reuters examines whether there will be a sign-up surge, while other outlets look at efforts to prepare for the opening of the online insurance marketplaces next month.
Percentage Of Americans Without Health Coverage Drops For 2nd Year
The small decline was credited mainly to somewhat higher enrollments in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Florida Battles Over Obamacare Intensify
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius made her third trip to Florida in a week to tout the health law, while state officials are taking steps to stymie enrollment in the new online insurance exchanges which open in two weeks.
Walgreens To Put Workers Into Private Health Insurance Exchanges
The move is part of trend among businesses to shift coverage responsibilities to their employees.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Wide Variation Among States In Access To Care, Coverage For Poor
State with high-performing health care systems are more likely to have poorer residents get heatlh coverage and preventive care, a new study finds.
State Highlights: Miss. Officials Want More Money For Mental Health, Medicaid
A selection of health policy stories from Mississippi, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and California.
Labor Dept. Mandates OT Pay, Minimum Wage For Home Health Workers
The Obama administration approved new rules that beginning Jan. 1, 2015, extend minimum wage and overtime payment to nearly 2 million home healthcare workers. Many in the mostly female and minority workforce are paid more than federal minimum wage, now $7.25 an hour, but don’t get time-and-a-half when they work more than 40 hours a week.
First Edition: September 18, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Census Bureau’s latest figures on the nation’s uninsured as well as Congressional Budget Office long-term deficit projections and how that news fits into events in the ongoing Capitol Hill budget battles.
Census: Number Of People Without Health Insurance Largely Unchanged In 2012
According to the Census Bureau, the percentage of people without health insurance coverage declined to 15.4 percent in 2012 ? from 15.7 percent in 2011. However, the 48.0 million people without coverage in 2012 was not statistically significantly different from the 48.6 million in 2011.
The fiscal choices set up intra-party fissure for Republicans and draw more tough talk from President Barack Obama.
Expect Influx Of Newly Insured To Doctor Offices
The Associated Press reports on how the influx of newly insured people brought about by the health law could create a back log for physicians while the Los Angeles Times explores how group appointments may be one of the solutions.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
