Latest KFF Health News Stories
Voters Provide Mixed Messages On Health Ballot Measures
Abortion, insurance regulation and drug options for the terminally ill were among proposals.
Benefits ‘Essential’ In N.J. But Not In Pa.
The administration gave states leeway to define the benefits that must be covered by health plans sold through government exchanges, and Pennsylvania’s are a lot ‘stingier’ than those in some other states.
How Obamacare Went South In Mississippi
In the country’s unhealthiest state, the failure of Obamacare is a group effort.
With Good Hospital Practices, Emory Rises To Ebola Challenge
The same Atlanta hospital that treated the first U.S. Ebola patient in August discharged its fourth patient Tuesday. All survived. Patients in isolation need extra emotional support, the team says.
California Nurses’ Union Pulls Ebola Into Contract Talks
The powerful California Nurses Association has put Ebola on the bargaining table in its negotiations for a new contract with Kaiser Permanente.
California’s Insurance Exchange Gears Up For Round Two
California’s insurance exchange began mailing renewal notices this week to more than 1.1 million people already enrolled in health plans, officials announced Thursday.
Despite Supreme Court Ruling, Some Texas Abortion Clinics Remain Closed
Texas abortion providers were surprised by the legal reprieve from the high court this week that allows them to reopen at least until December. But the legal battle has permanently changed the landscape for abortion clinics in the state.
Ohio Medicaid Expansion Faces 2015 Political Hurdle
Gov. Kasich’s workaround means more than 350,000 gained Medicaid coverage in the Buckeye State in 2014. But the legislature needs to approve the program next year for it to continue, hospital chief warns.
Appeals Court Weighs Texas Abortion Law
Federal judges will decide whether 11 clinics must close to comply with state law. If they do close, some women in the state will be more than 200 miles from a clinic that performs abortions.
New Head of Healthcare.gov Is Connecticut’s Counihan
Kevin Counihan, the head of Connecticut’s health insurance marketplace, will be the new CEO of healthcare.gov, the website that 36 states use to sell insurance under the Affordable Care Act, the administration announced at noon Tuesday.
Analysis: California’s Enrollment Success Is Its Greatest Challenge
After signing up hundreds of thousands of Medi-Cal enrollees, the state now needs to figure out how to care for them.
Covered California Rates Up Modest 4.2 Percent
Covered California says health care premiums will go up modestly for most people buying coverage on the state exchange next year by an average of 4.2 percent. “We enrolled a lot of people, they’re healthy, and that’s kept rates down,” Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said at a press conference on Thursday in Sacramento […]
Half Of Texas Abortion Clinics Close Due To State Law
This story is part of a partnership that includes Houston Public Media, NPR and Kaiser Health News. It can be republished for free. (details) In just over the past year, the number of abortion clinics in Texas fell from 41 to 20, and watchdogs say that as few as six may be left by September. […]
Seattle Providers Mostly Keep Up With More Insured, But Worries Loom
With thousands more people newly insured under the Affordable Care Act in Washington, medical providers have been braced to deal with more patients. So far – in the Seattle area, at least – they appear to be keeping up with the influx. But that doesn’t mean the concern has abated.
Senate Democrats Launch Fight To Reverse Supreme Court, State Abortion Restrictions
But the bill that would reverse the Hobby Lobby court ruling is not expected to pass a crucial voting test Wednesday.
Detroit’s Maternal Death Rate Is Triple The Nation’s
Experts hope to see it decline as more women gain coverage through the federal health care law and become better educated about their bodies.
Ohio Amish Reconsider Vaccines Amid Measles Outbreak
County health officials are scrambling to set up immunization clinics for thousands after 341 cases in Ohio have swept through the Amish communities in the central part of the state.
Mass. Inches Toward Health Insurance For All
The latest analysis shows that Massachusetts is close to having most of its eligible residents insured, some eight years after Gov. Mitt Romney signed its landmark state law. But a failed website has delayed the processing of applications, and some of those waiting may yet decide not to buy health plans.
Coast-to-Coast Health Care Woe: Cost
On a reporter’s cross country road trip, Americans talk about all the health policy highlights
Medicaid Contractor Centene Was Top Financial Performer In St. Louis
The managed care company was judged the area’s most financially successful public company in 2013.
