Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Care Issues On The Ballot: The Final Tally
Health issues at stake in Tuesday’s elections included the federal health law, abortion, medical marijuana and more.
State Political Shifts Likely To Affect Health Law
Democrats took complete control of five additional state legislatures on Tuesday, while Republicans added a governorship and control of three additional state legislatures.
Health Law Viewed As A Big Winner On Election Day
President Barack Obama’s re-election is viewed as a “reprieve” for the health law, but this development raises questions and issues about some of the implementation challenges that the overhaul will now face.
Big Picture: Obama Claims Victory – But What Comes Next?
Even before President Barack Obama’s second term officially begins it is clear that he will be facing significant challenges and a very divided Congress. The challenges ahead include the fiscal cliff and efforts to trim back the nation’s entitlement programs.
Dems Retain Control Of The Senate; Rape, Abortion Comments Dash GOP Chances In Indiana, Missouri
Victories in high-profile races — including those in Virginia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and New Mexico — helped Democrats keep control of the Senate. Meanwhile, the GOP easily held its majority in the House.
Exit Polls Find That The Health Law Remains Controversial
Looking beyond the final vote tallies, news outlets delve into exit poll findings in order to gain insights into how voters feel about the health law, the economy and other issues.
GOP Retains House Despite Democrats’ Medicare Attacks
In the meantime, a key Democrat in health care — chairman of the Ways and Means health subcommittee — was ousted by another Democrat.
With Votes Counted, The ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Looms Large
News outlets report that with the election in the rear-view mirror, President Barack Obama and congressional lawmakers must pivot to high-stakes negotiations over expiring income tax rates, massive scheduled cuts to Pentagon spending and entitlement reform. Also on the to-do list: the Medicare doc fix.
Viewpoints: Newspapers Opine On Obama’s Health Care, Fiscal Challenges
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Supporters Of Mass. Assisted Suicide Ballot Measure Concede Defeat
Meanwhile, among the many ballot items across the country, Florida voters rejected an effort to block some of the federal health law’s requirements and limits on abortion. But voters in Alabama, Missouri and Wyoming approved measures to curb the reach of the health law.
Some Key Governors’ Races Too Close To Call, Outcome Crucial To Health Law’s Future
A Republican wins the gubernatorial election in N.C. while N.H. picks a woman to lead the state. Meanwhile, KHN examines how the state-level results will affect the implementation of the health law.
What Obama’s Win Means For Businesses’ Approach To Health Care
Stock futures fell late Tuesday and early Wednesday as voters re-elected President Barack Obama, even as some business and labor groups cheered his victory. Several media outlooks parse the implications for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
First Edition: November 7, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details of the outcome of the presidential election, as well as House and Senate races. Coverage also includes analysis regarding how those results will impact the implementation of the health law, negotiatioins surrounding the looming fiscal cliff and other health policy issues.
Obama, Romney Keep Up The Fight In Campaign Last Minutes
The Washington Post reported that President Barack Obama had a slight edge in the polls, but most analysts expect the election to be extremely close. GOP challenger Mitt Romney continued to hammer his anti-Obamacare message while other news outlets predict that whoever wins will face big challenges in dealing with the deficit.
What Will The Election’s Outcome Mean For The Health Law?
The stakes are high for the health law’s future with the vote either sealing the measure’s implementation or becoming its undoing. However, some of the changes it includes have already been internalized by the health care marketplace.
After Election Day, States Face Deadline On Health Exchanges
Under the health law, states are required to let the Department of Health and Human Services know by Nov. 16 if they plan to set up their own exchanges or enter into a state-federal partnership.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Voters Will Make Choices In Tight Senate Races, Health Law Ballot Questions
In this pair of stories, The Wall Street Journal examines Democrats’ fundraising successes in tight Senate races and how the health law is in a number of state ballot questions.
Previous Meningitis Outbreak Did Not Trigger Additional Oversight, Changes
The Washington Post reports that, despite an outbreak of fungal meningitis that took place 10 years ago and was linked to injections made by a compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts, not much has changed. Meanwhile, Politico adds that a recall of drugs related to the most recent round of illness could add to a critical drug shortage.
Federal Appeals Court Begins Hearing Arguments On Ariz. Abortion Restrictions
Elsewhere, a federal judge in Michigan blocked — for one employer — the health law’s mandate that they cover contraception in their health plan.
