Latest KFF Health News Stories
Jeb Bush Bolsters GOP Position With Obamacare Stance
Elsewhere, The New York Times examines the new surgeon general’s resolve on taking sometimes unpopular stances.
Feds Award States ACA ‘Innovation’ Grants
News outlets report on these Affordable Care Act grants, which are part of $620 million in funding provided to 11 states.
Shorter Shopping Season, More Choices, Complicate Search For Health Plans
The Detroit Free Press explores some of the issues consumers must think about before choosing individual insurance plans sold through the online marketplaces. Other stories look at how the long-delayed mandate requiring large employers to offer insurance kicks in Jan. 1 and how the penalties increase for not having coverage in 2015.
Health Law Will Reduce Ethnic, Racial Divides In Coverage, Urban Institute Says
But African-Americans aren’t seeing as much improvement as Latinos and American Indians because many live in states that have not expanded Medicaid, according to the Urban Institute.
Tennessee Joins List Of GOP-Led States Seeking Medicaid Expansion Money
A statewide coalition of business, health care and civic groups has formed in Tennessee to support Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, whose expansion plan faces opposition from some GOP legislators.
DC Exchange Glitch Puts Some At Risk Of Temporarily Losing Insurance
Meanwhile, in Maryland, exchange officials report that more than 100,000 people have newly enrolled in health plans; and, in Chicago, some residents will face increasing out-of-pocket costs as well as Obamacare premium hikes.
Federal Exchange Tallied About 2.5 Million Insurance Sign-Ups So Far
Federal officials said about a million of those new enrollments took place during the week of Dec. 6 through Dec. 12., and about 1.6 million people telephoned the call center between Dec. 13 and Dec. 15.
First Edition: December 17, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Focus Should Shift To Cost Effectiveness; Jamming Doctors’ Offices
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: State Highlights: NY Nursing Home Homicide; Concerns Raised About KanCare Waivers
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Kansas, Colorado and Missouri.
Report: Estimates Of Veterans Harmed By Treatment Delays Were Incorrect
A new report by the top watchdog for the Department of Veterans Affairs finds errors in the statistics that were released last spring about the number of veterans who died or were harmed by treatment delays. Meanwhile, the defense spending bill approved by Congress requires military personnel facing less-than-honorable discharge to have their cases reviewed by at least one mental health professional.
Supreme Court Declines To Hear Arizona Abortion Appeal
The justices Monday turned down the state’s bid to limit how doctors prescribe pills that are commonly used in early abortions. Without comment, they left intact a ruling that blocks a 2012 Arizona law while a legal challenge plays out.
Drug Co. Ordered To Continue Making Alzheimer’s Medicine
A federal judge ordered an Irish manufacturer to halt plans to discontinue its widely used medication, Namenda, allegedly to drive patients to a newer drug. The Dublin-based Actavis PLC plans to appeal.
How Medical Testing Became A Key Profit Center In The Health Care System
The New York Times reports on this marketplace phenomenon. Meanwhile, in other news regarding health care costs and quality issues, ProPublica examines the Medicare records for doctors who prescribe the most potent painkillers, the Wall Street Journal details the Food and Drug Administration’s change of heart regarding a common surgical tool used for hysterectomies and KHN takes a look at outpatient surgical centers.
Senate Narrowly Approves Obama’s Choice For Surgeon General Despite NRA Opposition
The nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy had languished for months because of his support for gun control measures and his advocacy of the health law.
Boeing, Starbucks Demand And Get Better Health Care For Workers
Seattle’s big companies have pushed local hospitals and doctors to meet the kinds of rigorous standards they use to build airplanes or brew coffee, reports The Los Angeles Times. Also in the news are a look at the SHOP exchanges for small businesses and the rate increases some of those employers are facing.
Tennessee Gov. Pursues Alternative Medicaid Expansion Plan
If finalized, the two-year pilot program, which Gov. Bill Haslam negotiated with the Department of Health and Human Services, would make Tennessee the 28th state to expand the low-income health insurance program.
Call Centers Marked By Long Waits On Monday — The Deadline For Jan. 1 Health Coverage
But, in general, healthcare.gov held up okay in the face of a related enrollment surge. In addition, news outlets report that the exchanges in Minnesota and California, joined New York, and extended their enrollment deadlines to Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 respectively for coverage that begins Jan. 1.
First Edition: December 16, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Needs A Subsidy Plan; Insurance ‘Bailout’ Is Really Consumer Protection
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
