Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obamacare Partisan Fights Affecting Public Opinion, Capitol Hill, Health Coverage For Poor
As the health law comes closer to full implementation in 2014, the political parties are far apart and likely to stay there.
Calif. Unveils Tentative Price Tags For Health Plans On The Exchange
The monthly cost for policies sold on the state-run exchange came in lower than the 30 percent rate increases some had anticipated, though some consumers will still experience sharply higher premiums. Blue Shield of California estimated that current customers would see rate increases of about 13 percent.
Tensions, Threats Emerge In Ariz. Medicaid Expansion Debate
In addition, the legislative debate continues in Texas while in Florida there’s speculation about what’s to become of the state’s uninsured population now that the legislature didn’t take action.
Research Roundup: Getting A Critical Care Doc At Night; Poverty Among Seniors
This week’s studies come from JAMA Internal Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Annals of Family Medicine, The Kaiser Family Foundation, the Health Care Cost Institute and various news outlets.
Viewpoints: We Need More ‘Socialism’; The IRS’s ‘Unwelcome Role’; ‘Fog Of Obamacare’
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: La. Grand Jury To Examine $200M Medicaid Contract
A selection of health policy stories from Louisiana, Oregon, Connecticut, Kansas, North Carolina, California, and New York.
House Panel Considers Measure That Would Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks
The bill, which is national in scope, is a response to the conviction of abortion provider Kermit Gosnell as well as a range of new state laws.
Health Law Politics Swirl Around Scandal Reports, Implementation Frustrations
Some of the political ebb and flow is exactly as expected, with news reports noting that Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., a staunch opponent of the overhaul, is focused on linking the Internal Revenue Scandal with the health law. However, in other coverage, The Associated Press reports that some labor unions, which were strong advocates, have become increasingly frustrated with some aspects of the law. In addition, a Republican Arizona legislator received threats in response to her support for an effort to pursue the Medicaid expansion.
Health Care Issues Become Hurdle For Immigration Reform Measure
The key question that seems to have stalled progress for House lawmakers is how to handle immigrants who do not have health insurance.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details on California’s new health insurance exchange rates, whether consumers will experience “rate shock” and what these numbers say about the health law’s implementation.
States Embroiled In Medicaid Expansion Battles Are Running Out Of Time
Politico reports that this health law implementation issue remains an open question for about a dozen states. Some are on the brink of giving up for the first year but looking ahead to the next set of state legislature sessions. Meanwhile, news outlets report on related developments in Michigan, Iowa, Ohio and Texas.
Idaho, New Mexico Ask Feds To Run Health Exchanges
In addition, media outlets report that the nation’s largest for-profit insurers will not participate in California’s online marketplace. Eleven insurers have applied to operate plans in Colorado.
State Highlights: Conn. Democrats Eye Shifting $400M In Medicaid Money
A selection of health policy stories from California, Connecticut, American Samoa, Georgia, Oregon and West Virginia.
Senate Immigration Bill Would Ease Restrictions On Foreign Health Workers
On Capitol Hill, several legislative efforts are moving forward on health issues. Among them is an effort by the Massachusetts delegation to keep bonus Medicare payments for the state’s hospitals, while House Republicans are looking for another way to deal with a bill to fund high-risk insurance pools. In addition, a Senate measure is advancing that would increase scrutiny On compounding pharmacies.
HHS Report Finds Uptick In Doctors’ Use Of Electronic Health Records
Also in the news, the Pentagon is in search of a new system for veterans’ health care while San Francisco is “leading the way” in new health data applications.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
The Hill: Insurers Feel Pressure To Support Enroll America
The Hill reports that unnamed insurance industry sources say they feel that Enroll America, the non-profit group raising funds to support outreach to the uninsured, is “just an arm of the administration.” In a separate story, The Hill notes new research concluding the trend toward part-time work and reduced health benefits began before the overhaul.
Federal Appellate Court Hears Arguments On Health Law’s Birth Control Mandate
The Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago is the first federal appellate court to hear arguments in cases challenging the mandate that took effect last August. With dozens of similar lawsuits pending, many say the issue seems likely to land before the Supreme Court. The case brought by Hobby Lobby Inc. is considered the most prominent of these efforts.
Weekend Reading: Mental Illness Stigma And Health Insurance Mazes
This week’s articles come from The New York Times, Salon, Slate, USA Today, and the Tampa Bay Times.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including various status updates about state activity regarding the health law’s online insurance marketplaces.
