Latest KFF Health News Stories
Running Down The Varied State Reaction To The Health Law Decision
State leaders reacted to the Supreme Court health law decision in varied ways: Some hailed the decision as a victory for everyday Americans while others warned the decision will harm citizens. Still others, however, including Va. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, saw a mixed bag.
Immediately After The Decision: Confusion
Because two cable TV networks initially were wrong in their reports about the court’s verdict, lawmakers, candidates and even the president were confused about the court’s findings.
How The Medicaid Ruling Is Playing In The States
State officials offer views on their newfound options regarding the health law’s Medicaid expansion. Also, news outlets report on how many people might become eligible for Medicaid and at what cost.
Viewpoints: Ruling Hands Government ‘A Limitless License To Coerce,’ Decision Will Save Lives
A wide selection of views on the effects of the Supreme Court’s health care ruling.
‘Tax’ Term Looms Over Health Law Decision
By upholding the individual mandate as a tax, the Supreme Court’s ruling on the health law could be a potent political weapon for conservatives, news organizations report.
Viewpoints: Can You Blame George Bush?; A Kiss For The Chief
Some opinion writers look at the key role of Chief Justice John Roberts in the health care ruling.
What Does Ruling Mean For Politics? Dems, GOP Seek To Energize Bases
Supporters of President Obama and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney are using the Supreme Court health law ruling as motivation ahead of November’s presidential election.
Unfazed, Republicans Ready Repeal Redux Post-SCOTUS Decision
Republicans on Thursday vowed to repeal the health care law after the Supreme Court ruling affirming the constitutionality of the law and are planning a repeal vote in the House on July 11. In the meantime, some states, including Georgia for instance, will hold off on implementing key parts of the law to see if the GOP is successful.
Viewpoints: The Law Is Now Front And Center In The Election; Right’s Muddled Response
Editorials and opinion writers say the Supreme Court decision moves the debate about the health law back to voters in November.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports covering yesterday’s health law decision from a variety of angles.
Medicaid Expansion: What Will States Do Now?
News outlets explore how the high court’s ruling on the health law’s Medicaid expansion might play out.
Obama, Congressional Dems Claim ‘Victory For America’ In Court’s Health Law Decision
In a statement after the verdict, President Barack Obama said it was time to stop fighing over the law and “move forward.”
GOP Leaders React To Ruling By Renewing Pledges To Repeal The Health Law
From Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney to key House and Senate leaders, the call to repeal the sweeping health overhaul came loud and clear in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision largely upholding it.
The Individual Mandate Survives As A Tax, Justices Find Fault With Medicaid Expansion
In the end, according to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Affordable Care Act survives “largely unscathed.”
Some Health System Changes Will Advance, Regardless Of The Court’s Ruling
News outlets report that a “quiet revolution” in how care is delivered is already taking place across the country that closely tracks many of the changes advanced by the health law.
For Different States, High Court’s Ruling Will Have Very Different Meanings
In advance of the decision, some Democratic-led states vow to press forward with various health law provisions regardless of what the court rules, while officials in some Republican-led states say they will hold off on implementation even if the law gets a green light.
Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill shortly before a midnight deadline. The legislature also passed a measure that kills the Healthy Families medical insurance program and moves nearly 900,000 low-income children to Medi-Cal.
Decision Anticipation Stirs Politics
On the campaign trail, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney takes a hard line against the heatlh law, saying it needs to be undone no matter what the court determines. But on the eve of the expected high court ruling, a 2006 video emerged in which then-Gov. Romney embraced the individual mandate as part of Massachusetts’ state reforms. Meanwhile, the court’s finding is expected to become a fund-raising boon for both presidential candidates.
Roundup Of Recent Polls Shows Health Law Continues To Be Polarizing
Polls around the nation have examined opinions on the health care law in advance of the Supreme Court’s ruling. One poll finds the same percentage of people are dissatisfied with the health law as are dissatisfied with the health care system.
Viewpoints: The Moral Underpinning Of The Health Law; Mandate May Not Be Critical
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.