Latest KFF Health News Stories
Romney Vow To Repeal Health Law Received With Boos
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was the target of boos after he told the NAACP that he’d repeal Obama’s federal health law if he became president. The audience, however, applauded other parts of his speech.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about yesterday’s House vote to repeal the health law.
Could Voter Pressure Trigger Change Of Heart In Texas?
Reform advocates and Democrats react to Gov. Perry’s vow to block Medicaid expansion and exchanges in Texas.
GOP Spotlights Repealing – Rather Than Replacing – The Health Law
The House is scheduled to vote today to repeal the sweeping health law, although one Republican says they will not move a replacement measure until 2013 at the earliest. Meanwhile, the vote is being cast by GOP leaders as an effort to stop a new tax.
Sebelius Urges States To Move Forward On Health Law, Warns Against Rolling Back Medicaid Eligibility
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urged states to participate in the expansion, but said the administration would waive penalties against poor residents for not carrying insurance in states that opt out. Experts, meanwhile, urge the administration to “be flexible” with states regarding the Medicaid expansion. And Wall Street continues to view Medicaid as a growth opportunity.
Morning Joe’s Scarborough ‘Confesses’ His Son Benefits From Health Law
“I know one place where Obamacare is working,” says the MSNBC morning television host.
Hearing Set For Wednesday On Miss. Abortion Law
A federal judge today will hear arguments on letting an abortion law in Mississippi go into effect. Opponents say the law could shutter the state’s only abortion clinic. Abortion issues are making news in D.C. and Iowa as well.
Republican Lawmaker Unveils Bill On Contraceptive Coverage Rule
The measure focuses on the potential tax implications of the Health and Human Services rule that contraceptives be counted — without cost-sharing — among the preventive health services that most employer-sponsored health plans offer.
Minn. Governor’s Letters Detail Plans To Implement Health Law, Exchange
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton sent letters to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Republican leaders in his state Tuesday saying that he is moving forward with implementing the health law — including the formation of a health insurance exchange — even though GOP leaders there are in a holding pattern.
Obama To Make Federal Health Insurance Available To Seasonal Firefighters
The directive to make federal health insurance coverage available to these seasonal employees follows a two-month electronic petition drive.
IOM Report: Nation Lacks Health Workers Trained To Meet Seniors’ Mental Health Needs
The Institute of Medicine report, released Tuesday, found the continued lack of trained health care providers will make it difficult to meet the growing demand for mental health services from the nation’s growing senior population.
HHS Inspector General: Many Medicare Anti-Fraud Contractors Have Ties To Companies They Investigate
The Associated Press reports that as many as two-thirds of these contractors had financial connections to claims processors.
State Roundup: Iowa Union Files Complaint Over Gov. Order On Insurance
A selection of health policy stories from Michigan, Florida, Kansas, California and Arizona.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Candidates Take Sides Ahead Of Latest Health Law Repeal Vote
Congressional candidates in Massachusetts and Colorado disagree over the course to take on the health law ahead of a repeal vote in the House Wednesday.
The Dust Up Continues As Some GOP Governors Reject The Medicaid Expansion
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, however, says he is considering opting out but would like more answers — both in terms of policy questions and the political outcome of the election — before he makes a decision. Meanwhile, Stateline explores how the Medicaid expansion will present a tough fiscal call for many of state executives.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the scheduled House vote on repealing the health law as well as how stakeholders — whether it be certain governors or wall street investors — are responding to the Supreme Court’s decision on the Medicaid expansion.
Politics Swirl Around Approaching House Repeal Vote
As the House proceeds toward its scheduled Wednesday vote to repeal the health law, Republicans hope to draw more Democratic votes this time around — even though they have not offered any clear alternatives. Although the measure will die in the Senate, the White House issued a veto threat.
WellPoint To Acquire Amerigroup
The $4.9 billion deal will put WellPoint into the big, although risky, health care market for Medicaid enrollees with the most costly health issues.
Perry Rejects Medicaid Expansion, Opts Not To Create State-Run Health Exchange
Gov. Rick Perry’s announcement that Texas will not pursue either of these two elements of the federal health law is drawing both national and regional headlines. But other GOP governors are delaying and mulling these decisions.
