Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Continues To Climb Despite Insurers’ Complaints
Consumers flock to the programs because of the broad benefit packages and affordable premiums, reports Modern Healthcare. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania officials threaten action to protect Medicare Advantage enrollees caught in a spat between UPMC and Highmark and a draft rule would give Medicare providers greater flexibility to show they are using digital records.
Appeals Court Blocks Missouri Law Limiting Health Insurance Navigators
A federal appeals court struck down parts of the state law that restricted the ways in which navigators can help consumers obtain insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Health law supporters hope the decision has a ripple effect on other states with similar laws.
Montana Bucks GOP Opposition As House Gives Final OK To Medicaid Expansion Bill
The bill faces one more vote in the state Senate and is then expected to go to the governor. But a measure in Florida appears headed for a tough couple of weeks before the legislature. Also in the news, The Wall Street Journal examines the issue of how states recover assets from the estates of people who have been on Medicaid.
Uninsured Rate Drops To 11.9%, Poll Finds
The Gallup-Healthways survey found this to be the lowest number since it began tracking the rate in 2008. Meanwhile, other news outlets report on health law issues including how small businesses are just beginning to absorb the impact of some of the health law’s changes; how Olympic athletes’ coverage may not meet the health law’s standards; and how one congressman, based on fact-checking, may be way off on his estimate of the law’s bottom line.
Last-Minute Senate Skirmishes Could Cause Setbacks For Easy Passage Of The ‘Doc Fix’
One of the main objections is from conservatives who are concerned that the measure’s $214 billion cost is not fully paid for.
Congress Returns To Take Up Medicare Reimbursements, Lynch Confirmation
The Associated Press notes that efforts to repeal the health law also play into the current congressional landscape.
As Tax Day Nears, States Point To Special Sign-Up Period To Avoid Future Insurance Penalities
Though Wednesday is the day of reckoning for 2014 federal taxes, various states have been holding special enrollment periods for people who realize the cost of not having insurance in 2014 and want to take steps to avert an even more costly repeat in 2015.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Kansas And Abortion; Stop Missouri’s Move To Medicaid Managed Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets cover health care issues in California, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Vermont, New York and Alaska.
Heart Disease-Testing Labs To Pay $48.5M To Settle Claims
Health Diagnostics Laboratory and Singulex have agreed to pay at least $47 million and $1.5 million respectively to settle Justice Department allegations they paid doctors kickbacks and conducted unnecessary testing. Neither admitted liability.
Electronic Health Record Vendors Criticized For Making Information Sharing Difficult
A report by the Obama administration lists complaints about the systems used and fees charged by companies to store and share digital health records. In other agency news, the Food and Drug Administration is set to expedite medical device reviews in cases of life-threatening conditions. And at NIH, researchers say that oversight paperwork is getting in the way of their work.
GOP Negotiators Return From Recess Early To Work On Budget
Addressing domestic spending issues and reshaping Medicare are high on their to-do list. In other news from Capitol Hill, some Senate conservatives are not quite ready to give full backing to the pending Medicare “doc fix” plan.
Study: Divide Over Health Law Triggers Disparities In Access To Care, Ability To Pay Medical Bills
The Commonwealth Fund examined the nation’s four most-populous states and found that people who live in Texas and Florida, both of which have opposed Obamacare, report more difficulties than residents of California and New York, which both guarantee coverage within the state.
Insurers Invited To Submit Two Sets Of Rates Amid Uncertainty Over Subsidies
Media outlets explore the ramifications of a Supreme Court decision in King v. Burwell in various states. Meanwhile, Massachusetts consumers continue to encounter problems signing up for coverage and a study deems the federal exchange more efficient than state exchanges.
After Procedural Play, Montana Medicaid Expansion Gets Initial House Approval
In Montana, a plan to expand the low-income health insurance program gained an initial green light from the state House of Representatives. Meanwhille, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, remains hopeful about his state’s prospects to continue the expanded Medicaid. And news outlets also provide the latest on the expansion issue in Kansas and Florida.
Research Roundup: Young Adult Coverage; Alternatives To Subsidies; Critical Care Hospitals
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ‘Medicaid Shenanigans’ In Florida; The Need For Better Food Safety
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: Paying For Performance; Free Clinics; Brain Testing
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
