Weekly Edition: October 30-November 3, 2017
5 Things To Know About ACA At Year 5
By Julie Rovner and Julie Appleby
This year’s Obamacare open enrollment will be marked by a number of changes. KHN helps you navigate them.
Past-Due Premiums, Missing Tax Forms May Hamstring Marketplace Customers
By Michelle Andrews
People hoping to get federal subsidized marketplace coverage may need to make sure their 2017 premiums are paid and that they filed all the correct documents with their 2016 taxes.
Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ How Confused Are We?
In this episode of “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post discuss the start of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act, legislative efforts on Capitol Hill on taxes and children’s health insurance, and recommendations of the president’s opioid commission.
Facebook Live: It’s ACA Sign Up Season. Here’s What you Need To Know This Year.
In this Facebook Live chat, KHN’s Julie Appleby answers questions about what's changed for 2018 open enrollment.
Rising Health Insurance Costs Frighten Some Early Retirees
By Steven Findlay
Higher premiums loom for Americans in their late 50s and early 60s who are still too young for Medicare and don’t qualify for subsidies under Obamacare.
Funding For ACA Sign-Up Campaigns Varies Widely From State To State
By Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio
States aren't getting nearly as much federal money this year to explain and campaign for Affordable Care Act policies. Some are trying to make up the shortfall; others lack the cash or political will.
Money For Health Law Navigators Slashed — Except Where It’s Not
By Alex Olgin, WFAE
Two states, North and South Carolina, have very different outlooks since the Trump administration cut funding for the people who help others sign up for health insurance.
Big Premium Hike? Blame It On The Kids
By Courtney Perkes
Premiums are rising for many reasons next year, and one is that insurers are charging a lot more for teenagers.
Timeline: Despite GOP’s Failure To Repeal Obamacare, The ACA Has Changed
By Julie Rovner
A look at the most consequential events that have reshaped the federal health law since President Donald Trump was inaugurated.
Big Gains In Latino Health Coverage Poised To Slip During Chaotic Enrollment Season
By Paula Andalo
Efforts in past years have cut uninsured rates among Hispanics from 43 to 25 percent, but navigators say they anticipate a challenging sign-up period.
Health Industry
House Tax Bill Would Scrap Deduction For Medical Expenses
By Julie Rovner
About 9 million people claimed about $87 billion in medical deductions in 2015.
House Republicans Aim To Yank Tax Credits For Orphan Drugs
By Sarah Jane Tribble
House Republicans want to repeal federal tax credits that have helped spur a boom in orphan drugs for rare diseases.
Flurry Of Federal And State Probes Target Insulin Drugmakers And Pharma Middlemen
By Sarah Jane Tribble
Over the past two years, a powerful federal prosecutor and several state attorneys general have launched investigations related to diabetes drugs.
Timeline: Insulin Market Under Scrutiny
By Sarah Jane Tribble
A flurry of federal and state probes have targeted insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers — middlemen in the prescription drug-pricing pipeline. Here, we connect the legal dots.
Aging
New ‘Instructions’ Could Let Dementia Patients Refuse Spoon-Feeding
By JoNel Aleccia
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can say in advance if and when they want caregivers to stop offering food and fluids by hand.
Learning To Advance The Positives Of Aging
By Judith Graham
Stereotypes often undermine older adults, eroding their confidence, elevating their stress and harming their health.
Poll: Americans Avoid Planning For Serious Illness
By Melissa Bailey
A majority of Americans say it’s important to write down their medical wishes in case of serious illness, but only a third have done so.
Stoked! Weed May Light The Flame For A Roll In The Hay
By Carrie Feibel, KQED
A new study of tens of thousands of Americans contradicts stereotypes that stoners have less sex.
Postcard From Canada: In The Land Of Single-Payer, Bernie Sanders Gets Hero’s Welcome
By Shefali Luthra
The Vermont senator found a friendly audience when he took his “Medicare-for-all message” to Canada.