Latest KFF Health News Stories
Survey: Fewer Americans Struggle With Health Care Costs
In its biennial health insurance survey, the Commonwealth Fund found that more people have health coverage and fewer people say they are delaying necessary medical care because of costs.
Health Law Enrollment Edges Up With One Month Until Deadline
With the Feb. 15 deadline approaching to sign up for health insurance this year, the Obama administration and other groups are ramping up outreach. Reports track efforts to get Latinos covered and monitor sign-ups in Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Georgia and Texas.
First Edition: January 15, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Needs Health Care Strategy Quickly; The Cost Of Medicaid ‘Stinginess’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from Nebraska, California, Colorado, Mississippi, North Carolina, Kansas, Montana, Georgia, Indiana and New York.
Governors With National Aspirations Touch On Medicaid, Health Policy In State-Of-The-State Speeches
In outlining signature policy issues, governors such as Chris Christie from New Jersey, Scott Walker from Wisconsin and Mike Pence from Indiana tackled issues ranging from Medicaid expansion to drug treatment and reining in public workers’ benefits.
Aetna Sees Membership Growth From Health Law
In addition, the insurer plans to boost pay and cover more of the health care costs of about 7,000 of its workers. Meanwhile, digital health has grown from being a side show to one of the main events at the annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference.
U.S. Companies Increasingly Use Penalties To Push Employee Wellness Programs
Reuters reports that, among the two-thirds of large companies using wellness programs — which were included in the health law — almost a quarter are imposing financial penalties on employees who opt-out.
California Marketplace Signs Up 217,000 New Health Enrollees
The announcement by Covered California, the state’s health insurance exchange, signals that the state is on track to meet its goal of adding 500,000 people to the 1.2 million who signed up last year, officials say. The exchange is reminding consumers about the penalty most face for going without coverage.
GOP Election Gains Could Threaten Medicaid Expansion Momentum
Some Republican governors who were interested in pursuing an expansion now face unexpected roadblocks. Also, new GOP muscle in Congress, as well as the pending health law case at the Supreme Court, are combining to undermine some interest in this health law provision.
Report Challenges Economic Rationale For Repealing Medical Device Tax
A report from the Congressional Research Service questions some of the justifications being offered for doing away with the tax, which has become a prime target for some lawmakers as well as industry lobbyists.
Barrasso: Obama Expresses Confidence About Supreme Court Subsidies Case
Sen. John Barasso, R-Wyo., said President Barack Obama signaled during a roundtable discussion with Capitol Hill leaders that no contingency plans are being developed in the event that the high court rules that health law subsidies cannot be used to buy insurance on the federal exchange.
First Edition: January 14, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Medicaid’s Payback; Orszag Says Brill Missed Key Point; Dems’ ‘Bargaining Chips’
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from California, New York, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey and North Carolina.
Clinic That Treated Joan Rivers Before Her Death Loses Medicare Funding
Medicare and Medicaid will no longer pay for services at the clinic where Joan Rivers went into cardiac arrest after it failed to fix problems with the care they give there.
VA Spending On Veterans’ Benefits Varies Widely
An NPR/public radio investigation found wide disparities, even within states, in what veterans receive. Elsewhere, VA pharmacists go unpunished for drug dispensing errors, The Washington Times reports, and House lawmakers pass a bill intended to help prevent veteran suicides.
Tenet 2014 Results Upbeat — With Help From The Health Law
The hospital operator reported that the Affordable Care Act helped trigger a 21 percent jump in fourth-quarter admissions. Also, Aetna announces that it will boost the wages of its lowest-paid workers.
Hospital Bond Issuances Fall To Lowest Level In At Least A Decade
Modern Healthcare reports that some nonprofit hospitals opted to spend money on IT systems rather than on building projects in 2014. In addition, questions about how Hepatitis C drug exclusivity deals impact physician practice and Heritage Provider Network launches a joint venture with Trinity Health.
Congressional Republicans Hopeful About Replacing Obamacare — Especially If Supreme Court Assists
One GOP lawmaker said that if the high court decides that health insurance subsidies should not be available through the federal marketplaces, then the health law would unravel quickly. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, predicted doom for Republicans if they don’t deliver on promises like scrapping this sweeping statute.
