Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
A selection of health policy stories from Mississippi, Kansas, California, Missouri, Massachusetts and North Carolina.
Obama’s Presidential Legacy Linked To Supreme Court’s Health Law Verdict
Overhauling the nation’s health system has been the president’s most significant legislative achievement. As a result, the Court’s decision will also reflect on his effectiveness as a leader. Meanwhile, news outlets report on the White House’s preparations for the decision.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including scene setters for the much-anticipated Supreme Court health law decision, which is expected later this morning.
Decision Anticipation: Everyone Is Looking For Clues And Making Plans For What Comes Next
News outlets are examining the high court’s decisions earlier this week to find signals of what to expect in tomorrow’s health law decision. Meanwhile, the White House, congressional Democrats and Republicans, lobbyists, and even the general public offer glimpses of their views.
The Ruling’s Possible Market Repercussions
The uncertainty surrounding the fate of the health law has triggered a guessing game by some investors.
Romney, Obama Offer Messaging Previews For The Coming Health Law Decision
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney says if the court strikes down the law, it shows President Barack Obama wasted three years. If court upholds it, he promises to get rid of the law if elected. Obama tells a campaign crowd the law is critical to expanding coverage to those who can’t get it.
California Plan To Move 880,000 Children Into Medi-Cal Met With Skepticism
A budget plan to save money by moving thousands of children into the Medicaid program is scrutinized while legislators scramble to draft companion legislation to implement the budget.
Mass. Insurers To Rebate $57M To Small Businesses, Individuals
The rebates, by five of the state’s largest insurance companies, will go to 50,000 individual policy holders and 50,000 small businesses.
When It Comes To Health Care Clinics, Wal-Mart Falling Behind Rivals
The retailer has fallen behind its industry rivals in the competition to open health care clnics in stores.
Hatch Overcomes Primary Challenge
The veteran Utah senator campaigned heavily on his seniority and experience, maintaining that they put him in a powerful position to work on issues related to deficit spending and health care costs. Meanwhile, a Missouri candidate is being hammered over his stance on the insurance mandate.
Senate Sends FDA User Fee Bill To Obama; House GOP Putting Pressure On AARP
In rare show of bipartisanship, the Senate overwhelmingly approved the FDA measure. On the other side of the Capitol, top Republicans delved into whether AARP represented its members’ interests when the lobby group for seniors supported the health law.
