Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Govs Stake Out Political, Policy Positions On Medicaid Expansion

Morning Briefing

During the National Governors Association meeting this past weekend in Williamsburg, Va., the nation’s state executives continued to wrestle with what to do in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision.

Health Law Implementation Issues Set Scene For State-Level Policy Action

Morning Briefing

Virginia’s attorney general outlines his take on the fiscal dangers that the health law’s Medicaid expansion will cause. Meanwhile, Michigan lawmakers will consider the creation of a state-based health exchange. Also, in Georgia, a year-long effort to revamp the state’s Medicaid program is on hold as one leader says it would be “imprudent” to move forward while so many uncertainties are in play.

Health Law Continues To Be Challenge For Romney Campaign

Morning Briefing

GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney continues to confront issues about the similarities between the health reform he signed while Massachusetts governor and the 2010 federal health law. Meanwhile, The Associated Press reports about some of Romney’s potential running mates and key issues in the campaign.

Health Benefits: Different Circumstances For Public- And Private-Sector Workers

Morning Briefing

The Wall Street Journal examines the benefits gap between state and local government employees and their counterparts in the private sector. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that Consolidated Edison has reinstated health insurance for New York workers locked out during contract negotiations.

First Edition: July 16, 2012

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of reports from the past weekend’s meeting of the National Governors Association in Williamsburg, Va., and how the nation’s state executives continue to wrestle with what to do next after the Supreme Court’s decision on the health law’s Medicaid expansion.

Governors’ Concerns Continue To Surface About Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion

Morning Briefing

Though much of the dust-up following the Supreme Court’s Medicaid decision has come from Republican governors vowing to opt out of the expansion, news outlets report that some Democratic governors also have concerns. Meanwhile, Kentucky became the 13th state to say it would set up its own online insurance exchange where individuals and small businesses could shop for coverage beginning in 2014.

Polls: Public Views Health Law As A Tax, Opinions Divided Along Party Lines

Morning Briefing

A Quinnipiac poll finds that most people view the health law as a tax increase, while a survey by the Pew Research Center for People and the Press not only found that the public is sharply divided over the law, but in regard to the court, too.