Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: GOP Governors Falling Into Line On Medicaid; States Must Vaccinate More Kids
A selection of opinions on health care issues from around the country.
Coalition Of Health Care Systems, Insurers Vows To Change Payment Practices
The announcement promises to put more emphasis on improving quality and lowering costs. This comes as hospitals say they are seeing fewer admissions.
VA Increasing Its Efforts To Provide Hospice Care
As millions of veterans who served in World War II and Korea reach old age, the Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking ways to help them live comfortably in their final months. Also, the government settles a lawsuit accusing the VA of misusing a West Los Angeles campus while veterans slept on the street.
Capitol Hill And The White House Eye NIH And Medical Research Funding Issues
Also in the news from Congress, Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., plans to reintroduce legislation to reshape the nation’s mental health system. In the Senate, Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., is talking up a proposal that would extend health care coverage for the children of disabled military veterans.
House Schedules Health Law Repeal Vote For Next Week
The House will vote on an effort to repeal the overhaul fully. It has already voted three times this month on bills to chip away at the law, including a measure to establish a full-time workweek as 40 hours instead of 30.
State Highlights: Texas Public Health Costs Rising; Missouri Medicaid Switches Hep C Drug
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, California, Kansas, Florida and Vermont.
Ruling Could Send More Retirees Seeking Coverage To Exchanges
The Supreme Court’s recent decision on retiree health care benefits could mean more of them seek health coverage on exchanges, some experts say. Elsewhere, drug costs in marketplace plans are examined, and Minnesota’s governor proposes using taxpayer money to compensate for lower-than-expected enrollment in that state’s insurance exchange, MNSure.
New Health Law Pitch To Young Adults: Coffee Shop Fliers, College Outreach
The same share of young people are seeking health insurance coverage through the health law as last year, worrying some officials. Elsewhere, Latino and African-American families find cultural and economic barriers to getting coverage.
Efforts To Expand Medicaid Gaining Ground Slowly In Southern, Western States
Following the announcement that Indiana will expand its Medicaid program, Stateline looks at attitudes in other states that initially were opposed to the health law provision. Also in Medicaid news, Oregon officials report on a glitch that has kept some enrollees from getting coverage.
Indiana To Expand Medicaid But Gets Federal Nod To Implement Some Conservative Ideas
The plan, announced by Gov. Mike Pence who has been a strict opponent of the federal health law, will require participants to contribute to the cost of their care. Other Republican-led states may also consider this plan.
Poll: If High Court Rules Against Health Law Subsidies, Most Say They Want Them Restored
More than 6 in 10 Americans said they would want Congress to restore federal financial aid for people buying health insurance through the health law’s federal exchange if the Supreme Court invalidates some of those government subsidies, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll.
9.5 Million Sign Up For Insurance Through Health Law Marketplaces
Of those, 7.1 million have signed up through healthcare.gov, and more than 58 percent of people who are signing up are doing so for the second time.
First Edition: January 28, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Medicare’s Cost Cutting; Paying For Obamacare; Warren Misguided In Pharma Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Georgia, Kansas, New York, California, New Mexico, Missouri and Illinois.
Administration Seeks More Money To Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
The White House wants to double the amount of federal funding dedicated to combating the resistant bacteria. Meanwhile, the Veterans Affairs department is creating five service regions as part of a major reorganization, and the FDA taps a Duke cardiologist for a top post.
Ohio’s AG Sues Over Health Law Tax On State, Local Governments
The Republican state official is also challenging a provision that allows some tax money to go directly into Treasury Department coffers. Other stories examine medical device makers’ assertion that a health law tax has devastated them, a watchdog report that asserts that several health law programs do the same thing, and how Maryland residents still struggle to get mental health services.
New Surgeon General Talks Up Obamacare
Vivek Murthy, who was confirmed last month, is going on a cross-country tour, “reminding community leaders of the February 15th deadline” for enrollment in health law plans, reports The Hill. Meanwhile, about 800,000 California households received $3.2 billion in Obamacare premium subsidies, according to state officials.
3.2 Million Newly Eligible Adults Enrolled In Medicaid In Early 2014, CMS Reports
The findings by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services do not include every state that expanded Medicaid but they are the first federal effort to define how many enrollees are new to the program. Also in the news, the latest from Arkansas and Tennessee regarding expansion plans in those states.
High Court Ruling Chips Away At Health Benefits Promised To Union Retirees
In what’s being viewed as a victory for corporate America, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled Monday that “ambiguous” provisions of union contracts shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted in workers’ favor.
