Latest KFF Health News Stories
Next For Obamacare: Legal Challenges, State Debate, Insurance Market Issues
Despite a Supreme Court ruling upholding a key part of the health law, the road forward for it is littered with obstacles. Chief among them are what insurance markets will look like, court challenges that remain and fights in the states over implementation.
Analyzing The Supreme Court Decision On Obamacare
News outlets break down the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act’s tax subsidies for people buying health insurance on federal marketplaces.
Chief Justice Roberts Helps Save Health Law Again To Dismay Of Conservatives
Ten years into his leadership of the Supreme Court, John Roberts continues to demonstrate independence, upholding the Obama administration in King v. Burwell. News outlets also highlight two other central figures in the legal arguments: Justice Antonin Scalia and U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, who argued the administration’s case.
Supporters See Court Ruling As Cementing Health Law, Obama’s Legacy
The decision, which denied challengers’ efforts to cut off premium subsidies to more than 6 million people, means the health law is now “woven into the fabric of America,” the president said.
Consumers Elated That Court Preserves Health Law
The Supreme Court decision Thursday preserved tax subsidies for 6.4 million people in 34 states and helps stabilize the insurance markets for many more. Still, some worry what their coverage will look like, and just how affordable it will remain.
High Court Spares Health Law Subsidies
For the second time in three years, the Supreme Court rejected a life-or-death challenge to the Affordable Care Act. The justices’ decision was by a 6-to-3 vote, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing the opinion for the majority and Justice Antonin Scalia, the dissent.
Across The Country, Many Express Relief About Health Law Decision
Local news organizations examine reaction to the ruling and the effect on their states.
First Edition: June 26, 2015, cont.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations — It’s a big news day, so here’s Part II
Insurers, Consumers Relieved By Court Decision
More than 6 million people will continue to receive subsides following the 6-3 ruling by the Supreme Court. That helped drive up stock prices for insurers and other health care companies. The New York Times also examines how the decision may impact the online marketplaces in states that were not relying on the federal government.
Roberts Leads Court In A 6-3 Decision Upholding Health Law Subsidies
The high court issued its decision in King v. Burwell. Check back here often as KHN rounds up news stories on the case from around the web.
Obama: The Health Law ‘Is Here To Stay’
The White House, congressional Democrats and Republicans, and 2016 presidential contenders are reacting to the high court’s King v. Burwell decision.
Va. Defamation Case Pegged To Anesthesiologist’s Conduct
Coverage of the case, which first appeared in The Washington Post, raises questions about medical ethics.
Viewpoints: GOP Disarray; Don’t Kill IPAB; ‘Runaway Spending’ On Seniors
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: King And His Lawsuit; Doctor Miscommunications; A ‘Healthier’ General Mills
Each week, KHN’s Alana Pockros finds interesting reads from around the Web.
News outlets report on health care developments in North Carolina, Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Medicaid Costs, Provider Pay Rates Trigger Debate, Concern
News outlets report on state Medicaid program developments in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Connecticut.
Religious Groups Mull Next Legal Step Challenging Health Law’s Birth Control Provisions
Faith-based groups may take their case directly to the Supreme Court after a three-judge panel on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled earlier this week that certain birth-control mandates in the Affordable Care Act do not place a “substantial burden” on religious institutions such as universities and charities.
Panel Urges Cautious Approach With Meningitis Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stopped short of recommending that all adolescents get the vaccine, instead leaving the decision up to individual doctors and their patients. The move comes after recent outbreaks of the disease at some university campuses.
High-Deductible Plans Drive Hospital Changes
The plans, which shift more costs onto patients, are changing how health systems interact with their customers, reports Modern Healthcare. Meanwhile, The New York Times profiles how the pursuit of cash is affecting the development of new gene tests. And USA Today profiles the creation of an app that promises to improve the experience of health care calls and claims-paying.
DaVita To Pay $450M Settlement For False Claims, While Probed About Coding
The largest U.S. supplier of dialysis services agreed to the settlement to resolve claims that it knowingly created unnecessary waste in administering the drugs Zemplar and Venofer to dialysis patients, and then billed the federal government. It is also being investigated for how the company codes for Medicare Advantage patients.
