Latest KFF Health News Stories
Sebelius Credits Health Law With Slowing Medical Cost Growth
News outlets report on various aspects of the health law’s implementation.
College Students Face Long Waits For Mental Health Care As Demand Grows
In the meantime, lawmakers in Georgia are pushing to allow those who’ve had mental illnesses to get gun licenses.
Ark. Abortion Law Sets Off New Clash Over Reproductive Rights
The law, which the legislature passed by overriding the governor’s veto, comes as a strict Idaho law was struck down by a federal judge.
Calif. Insurance Commissioner Calls Blue Shield Rate Hike ‘Unreasonable’
The state’s top insurance regulator criticized proposed rate hikes of as much as 20 percent for 268,000 individual policyholders, but he and other state officials don’t have the authority to reject the increases.
State Highlights: Ga. Health Bills Advance On ‘Crossover Day’
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, New York, Massachusetts, Kentucky and California.
CMS Signals Exhanges Are ‘On Track’; HHS Gives 4 More States Conditional Approval
Meanwhile, three states — Utah, Idaho and New Mexico — are facing a time crunch to be ready for an Oct. 1 launch for their exchanges, and some states are seeking an OK from the federal government to direct low-income residents who are eligible for Medicaid to buy health coverage with tax dollars from the exchanges.
ACO ‘Pioneers’ Feeling Skittish About Next Stage Of Implementation
The providers who are participating in this health law effort to control costs and improve quality are nervous about the second year’s emphasis on accountability.
Research Roundup: Insurance Coverage And Access To Care In Massachusetts
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, the Journal Of General Internal Medicine and Health Affairs, and from a research brief by The Kaiser Family Foundation and The Urban Institute.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including various reports about state abortion laws and related legal challenges.
House GOP, Senate Dems To Unveil Competing Budget Plans Next Week
As President Barack Obama courts Republican lawmakers who might be interested in a “grand bargain,” the chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees are expected to release competing budget proposals. Some hope a conference committee might be able to work out the differences on taxes and spending, including changes to Medicare.
Cruz To Offer Amendment To ‘Defund’ Health Law
The amendment to the continuing resolution — a bill to fund the federal government after March 27 — will be offered by freshman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, when the Democrat-controlled Senate considers the measure. Cruz’s action is not expected to go anywhere, but it comes amid conservative griping that GOP lawmakers are not doing enough to block the law.
Sen. Graham Gun Bill Would Bar More With Mental Illness From Buying Guns
Politico reports that the measure, which has the backing of the National Rifle Association, also adds to a list of disqualifiers that limits who can buy a gun.
Health Insurers Launch TV Campaign Opposing Medicare Advantage Cuts
The ads, including a 30-second TV spot that will run in a dozen states and Washington, D.C., are designed to increase pressure on Congress and the Obama administration to stop proposed 2.3 percent cuts to these private plans. In addition, some analysts predict earnings drops for some insurers if the cuts go forward.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Officials, State Workers Criticize Different Health Coverage Rate Hikes In California
The increases are largely set to hit small businesses, individual plans and long-term care coverage. In the meantime, the state’s proposed partnership with Wal-Mart to help enroll people in new coverage comes under scrutiny.
Recession Not To Blame For Cost Increases At Not-For-Profit Hospitals, Study Says
Modern Healthcare reports on the findings of a new study related to not-for-profit hospital prices.
Weekend Reading: A Cancer Hospital’s Controversial Admission Procedures
This week’s articles come from ProPublica, Reuters, The Atlantic, The New York Times and Health Affairs.
Ark. Lawmakers Override Veto, Ban Most Abortions After 12 Weeks Of Pregnancy
In the meantime, a federal judge in Idaho has struck down a law in that state that bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Health Law Implementation: Is The Overhaul Leading To Layoffs?
The Federal Reserve’s “beige book” cites the law as a reason for layoffs and a hiring slowdown. Also, the National Retail Federation is backing efforts by some GOP congressional lawmakers to repeal the employer mandate.
Statehouses Become Next Flashpoint For Medicaid Expansion Debates
Even as Republican governors like Rick Scott in Florida have chosen to back the health law’s Medicaid expansion, they are facing push back from GOP-controlled legislatures.
