Latest KFF Health News Stories
IBM Trains Watson As A Cancer Specialist
The idea is to use the supercomputer to find personalized treatments for every cancer patient within minutes. Meanwhile, patient advocates are pushing consumers to learn how to take charge of their medical records. And provider-run insurance plans face challenges to acquire the right health technology tools.
Justice Department Looking At Anti-Trust Issues In Insurance Mergers
Many of the health insurance company mergers under discussion have the potential to raise antitrust concerns, a Justice Department official tells The Wall Street Journal.
Kasich, Christie Poised To Announce Presidential Bids
News outlets also examine how the Supreme Court’s decision in the health law challenge, King v. Burwell, could make the high court a central issue in the 2016 campaign. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times notes “the lack of a clear front-runner” among the GOP’s presidential hopefuls.
Following Supreme Court Ruling, Alaska State Senator Urges Governor To Expand Medicaid
The senator presses Gov. Bill Walker to expand the program for low-income residents without approval from the legislature. Also, Politico Pro surveys the responses in some other states that have been on the fence about Medicaid expansion.
Critics Of Obamacare Recalibrate After High Court Decision
The Supreme Court has proven a dead end for those using legal arguments to blow up the law, despite pending lawsuits focused on smaller-bore issues. But political efforts to repeal the law through Congress continue — although those are unlikely to surmount a presidential veto unless Republicans win the White House.
In Wake Of Supreme Court’s Health Law Decision, Burwell Says There’s Still ‘Work To Do’
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said that the ruling was an emotional one, but also that it’s time to look ahead and build on the ACA momentum.
High Court Ruling May Encourage More States To Join Healthcare.gov
Many of the dozen states operating exchanges under the Affordable Care Act are encountering financial strains and, in some cases, technical problems, which might make the federal exchange or creating regional operations more attractive.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ‘Common Sense’ Overcomes Ideology; Justices Ignore Law’s Problems
A selection of opinions from around the country on the Supreme Court ruling upholding subsidies on the federal health marketplaces.
Viewpoints: Health Law Ruling Cracks Conspiracy Theories About Court; Scalia’s Views Lose
A number of opinion writers look at the King v. Burwell decision’s impact on the court.
Viewpoints: GOP Needs To Take Some Responsibility For Law; Debate Will Now Start Fresh
The court’s decision on health insurance subsidies also impacts the nation’s politics, and opinion writers took note of that.
Research Roundup: Quality And Patient Satisfaction; Trauma Centers And Kids; Effects Of Medicaid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
News outlets report on health care developments in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Washington.
Calif. Lawmakers Approve Tough Vaccination Bill, But Will Gov. Sign It?
The measure would require most children who enter school to be vaccinated against diseases like the measles and whooping cough. It’s unclear where Gov. Jerry Brown stands on the legislation, but doctor groups are praising it.
High Court Decision Hastens Insurers’ Mating Dance
Within hours of the decision, Humana stock surged on renewed talk that Aetna had made an offer to buy the company, which is the smallest of the top five insurers.
Senate Appropriators Take Aim At Obamacare
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a $153 billion bill that would block funding for the Affordable Care Act’s Risk Corridor program and block discretionary funding for state-based insurance exchanges. Meanwhile, a House appropriator seeks to block new mammography guidelines.
Democrats Thrilled, Republicans Outraged: Congressional Reaction Reflects Continued Divide
But behind closed doors, even many Republicans breathed a sigh of relief now that they do not have to wrestle with the reality of millions of constituents losing subsidies. Still, many GOP lawmakers vowed to continue the fight to “repeal and replace” Obamacare.
GOP Presidential Hopefuls Take Strong Positions Against High Court’s King V. Burwell Decision
GOP candidates for president vowed to keep fighting the health law despite some viewing the Supreme Court ruling as a win for them. Marco Rubio, Bobby Jindal and Ted Cruz all spoke about the need to replace the law.
Hospital, Insurer Stocks Rally On High Court Decision
Hospitals led a surge among health-care companies, with some of them reaching all-time highs, as the Supreme Court upheld a key piece of the Affordable Care Act, lifting the main threat hanging over the industry’s prospects.
Community And Industry Health Officials Exhale As Insurance Subsidies Affirmed
Regional hospitals, doctors, insurers and health centers reacted to the Supreme Court’s decision with relief and praise after months of concern that the case could mean an increase in uninsured, unpaid bills and instability in the health market.
