Latest KFF Health News Stories
What’s Next For The Health Law?
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell talks about educating Americans about the breadth of benefits in the health law, as well as advancing efforts to improve it. A top administration priority will be persuading more states to expand Medicaid.
Oregon Approves Premium Rate Increases For 2016 Marketplace Plans
Oregon is the first state to announce its rates for the marketplace. In other news about state insurance markets, a report about Minnesota insurers’ business on that state’s online exchange, and Washington state’s marketplace does not get as much funding as officials had sought.
Americans Approve Of The High Court’s Health Law Decision, Poll Finds
Twice as many people surveyed support the Supreme Court’s decision as are opposed to it, but divisions continue regarding overall views on the Affordable Care Act.
Obama’s Health Law Victory Tour Goes To Tennessee
Fresh from a big Supreme Court win, President Barack Obama talked about the health law’s achievements to date and expressed hope that some of the poisoned politics that have surrounded this sweeping overhaul will now be set aside to focus on improvements and refinements. One of his central messages had to do with Medicaid expansion.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Bush’s Health Law Profits; Calif. Leads On Vaccination; Burgess’ Medicare Crusade
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Tennessee,
California’s Vaccine Measure Signed Into Law By Gov. Jerry Brown
The new law represents one of the nation’s most far-reaching vaccine mandates, barring religious and other personal-belief exemptions for school children. Only two other states, West Virginia and Mississippi, bar such exemptions. Some predict opponents will challenge the measure in court.
FDA Considering New Restrictions On Liquid Nicotine Products
Meanwhile, on the tobacco front, the New York Times continues its reporting on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its global work against anti-smoking laws, highlighting how some of the organization’s members don’t agree with these efforts.
Health Sector Profits Contributed To Jeb Bush’s Post-Gubernatorial Wealth
Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush’s tax filings show his net worth soared after he left the office of Florida governor in 2007. The New York Times reports that this financial boost included his earnings as a paid director to Tenet Healthcare, a hospital company which supported the health law.
High Costs Of Life-Saving Drugs Are Piling Financial Pressure On People With Serious Illnesses
Meanwhile, Politico Pro reports that some states are attempting to tackle the growing cost of medications.
Drug And Device Makers Paid $6.5B To Doctors, Hospitals In 2014
About 80 percent of the dollars went to doctors for consulting, speeches, research and other activities. Nearly 610,000 doctors received payments, as well as some 1,100 teaching hospitals, according to government data. The effort to highlight potential conflicts of interest is mandated by the Affordable Care Act.
Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Has Huge Impact On Private, Public Employers
The Wall Street Journal examines the implications for companies that offer spousal health benefits and fund those through a separate insurance company, as well as for those that are self-insured. The Texas Tribune reports that starting Wednesday, employees of Texas government agencies, universities and schools can enroll a same-sex spouse in their benefit program. And Modern Healthcare delves into the implications for Medicaid programs.
Negotiations Between Employers, Unions Could Feel The Impact Of Health Law Requirements
These developments are occurring, according to the Wall Street Journal, amidst other cost- and risk-shifting trends.
How The Liberal Justices Steered The Supreme Court In Its Recent Health Law Decision
News outlets analyze the high court dynamics that led to this term’s blockbuster decisions, including King v. Burwell.
On His Victory Lap, Obama Aims To Change The Conversation To Ways To Improve The ACA
News reports note that, although President Barack Obama does not expect GOP opponents to back off of their opposition to the health law, he still plans to attempt to reframe the discussion to ways it can be improved. Meanwhile, other talk focuses on what is necessary to ensure the measure’s long-term success and how lobbyists are gearing up to secure changes.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Judicial Activism On Health Law; Science And Jerry Brown’s Choice On Vaccines
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health care developments in Maryland, Connecticut, New York, Alaska and Kentucky.
California Senate OKs Mandatory Vaccine Bill
The measure is now headed for the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown, who has not publicly stated whether he would sign it.
