Latest KFF Health News Stories
Investors Plow $7.5M Into Health Insurance Comparison Tool
The owners of Priceline.com and Kaha are building a website that they say will enable consumers to compare 75,000 state and federal exchange plans, as well as off-exchange plans. Other stories look at health savings accounts and whether life insurance companies should have access to your genetic test results.
HHS Official: Providers Warn Patients Away From Dual-Eligible Pilots
Melanie Bella, who oversees programs for Americans covered by both Medicare and Medicaid, complains that providers are warning patients they will lose benefits if they participate in a managed-care initiative designed to test ways to reduce costs and improve quality. Meanwhile, a Center for Public Integrity probe finds that nursing home patients may not be receiving the advertised level of care.
Medicare Proposes To Cover Lung Cancer Scans For Heavy Smokers
The agency is following the advice of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in making CT scans available to heavy smokers for the first time. Many insurers already do this.
House GOP Eyes Budget For Health Law Repeal, Medicare And Medicaid Transformations
Additionally, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., are teaming up to develop a proposal to replace Obamacare. Former White House adviser David Axelrod recommends compromise, but Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is holding firm in his commitment to undo the Obama administration’s landmark legislative achievement.
Obamacare Architect Slammed For Voter ‘Stupidity’ Comments
A year-old video showing MIT economist Jonathan Gruber saying that “lack of transparency” made the passage of the health law possible has hit a political nerve.
Politics, Funding And Policy Issues Swirl Around State Medicaid Expansion Decisions
News outlets report on various expansion issues, including the latest developments from Texas, Utah, Pennsylvania and Missouri.
States Race To Make Last-Minute Health Exchange Improvements
With the second lap of enrollment about to begin, a number of states are making sure their call centers are staffed up and other consumer-friendly changes are ready. In other news, Politico Pro reports that some states are finding it difficult to recoup the money spent on botched websites. News outlets also report on specific developments in Idaho, Minnesota, Arizona, Missouri and Nevada.
On The Cusp Of Its Second Enrollment Period, Health Law Still Faces Challenges
Those challenges are of both a political and legal nature, notes The New York Times. Other news outlets analyze premium costs: how they might change for 2015 coverage and fluctuate among states. Headlines also continue to parse the Obama administration’s enrollment projections and examine why Latinos continue to be an important population to reach with the sign-up message.
First Edition: November 12, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Court Could Undermine Health Enrollment; Losing Control Of Mental Hospitals
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Judge Skeptical Over Partners Deal In Mass.; S.C. Gets New Medicaid Director
A selection of health policy stories from Massachusetts, North Carolina, Louisiana, Oregon, Ohio, South Carolina and California.
VA Chief Pushes Overhaul, Firings At Agency
A day before Veterans Day, VA Secretary Robert McDonald announced a complete restructuring of the agency in the wake of the scandal over excessive wait times and poor care that critics blamed for patient deaths.
Pain Doctors Profit From Drug Tests On Seniors
The Wall Street Journal reports that some Medicare doctors are making more from testing their patients for drug abuse than for treating them for pain. Another story looks at the need for better information to help seniors compare traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans to figure out which is best for them.
Kansas Hospitals Continue Push For Medicaid Expansion
Despite the re-election of Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican who has been opposed to the health law’s expansion of the low-income health insurance program, hospitals hope to advance a plan to state legislators. Also in the news, a new report says Florida hospitals will lose billions of dollars as a result of that state’s decision not to pursue the expansion.
Kentucky Offers Range Of Ways To Enroll In New Coverage
Meanwhile, Washington state officials are promising more options and, potentially, lower costs. In Colorado, no glitches have surfaced regarding the exchange, which is now open for “early shopping,” but a big jump in the cost of keeping its call center operating is also expected.
The Countdown Is On To Nov. 15 Enrollment
News outlets are reminding consumers that the health law’s second open-enrollment season will begin Saturday, and that they can already begin “window-shopping.” In addition, there are a lot of details for consumers and employers to pay attention to.
HHS Lowers Estimate For Health Law Sign-Ups
On Monday, Obama administration officials projected that between 9 and 9.9 million people would enroll in health insurance during the upcoming Obamacare open season. This range is below the 13 million projected earlier by the Congressional Budget Office.
First Edition: November 11, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Win Bolsters Health Law Foes; Ill. Cuts Medicaid Costs; CDC’s Ebola Blunders
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
The surprise announcement by the court Friday elicits a number of opinions.
