Latest KFF Health News Stories
Report: Government Skipped Key Requirements Awarding Healthcare.gov Contracts
The investigation by the Office of the Inspector General also found the government didn’t fully vet the history of problems of one of the key contractors, CGI Federal. Elsewhere, small businesses in Maryland sign up for marketplace coverage, and Oklahoma’s battle over the law continues.
GOP Response Vows To ‘Repeal And Replace’ Obamacare
In the official Republican response to President Barack Obama’s State-Of-The-Union address, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, maintained strong criticism for the law and claimed it has hurt America’s hardworking families.
In State-Of-The-Union Speech, Obama Pledges To Veto Efforts To Undo The Health Law
News outlets described President Barack Obama as confident and defiant as he laid out an agenda for his two remaining years, which included an expansion of biomedical research. His emphasis was placed on improving the prospects of the nation’s middle class.
First Edition: January 21, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Assaults On Abortion Rights; Shifting From Employer-Provided Health Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Calif. Health Providers’ Dispute Threatens Coverage; Mass. Focuses On Cost Control
A selection of health policy stories from California, Massachusettes, Kansas, Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Virginia, Colorado, Texas and Maryland.
Minn. Study Compares Patient Health Status By National Origin, Native Language
In addition, news outlets examine how state and local immigration laws, as well as individuals’ immigration status, impact health care outcomes.
California Nurses Association Calls Off Strike Against Kaiser Permanente
The nurses’ group announced Saturday that it had reached a tentative contract on behalf of 18,000 registered nurses in the northern and central part of the state.
Health Law Co-Ops Go Toe-To-Toe With Insurance Giants
The Baltimore Sun explores the trials of its new co-op, which is the first new commercial insurer in Maryland in 20 years. Other stories look at enrollment growth in Arizona and Colorado.
Consumers Find Wide Disparities In Health Marketplace Premiums
The New York Times examines the “price pandemonium.” Also in the news about the health overhaul are stories about the requirement for individuals to get coverage and the tax implications of the law this year.
GOP Lawmakers Continue To Contemplate Best Strategy To Undo Health Law
Senate Majority Leader MItch McConnell, R-Ky., urged President Barack Obama to “be realistic” in tonight’s State of the Union address, noting that there are areas, such as health care, where the White House and Congress are still very far apart. Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, Republicans continue to wrestle with how best to move forward in their efforts to dismantle the overhaul.
Tavenner’s Departure Comes As Health Law Faces Another High Court Challenge
Marilyn Tavenner, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, announced Friday that she will step down at the end of next month. Politico notes the landmines ahead for the health law, while others report that Tavenner oversaw the first botched rollout of healthcare.gov, though this year’s enrollment has gone more smoothly.
First Edition: January 20, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Drop The Employer Mandate; Unfunded Retiree Benefits; Using Blood Better
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Experimental Drugs; Surgery Checklists; The High Court And Medicaid Rates
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
A selection of health policy stories from Minnesota, North Carolina, California, Texas and Kansas.
Branstad Proposes Closing Two Of Iowa’s Four Mental Institutes
The Des Moines Register reports that this plan would result in the elimination of more than half the inpatient psychiatric beds available in southern Iowa. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Assembly speaker predicts more mental health legislation in the upcoming session.
This Year’s Flu Vaccine Only 23 Percent Effective, According To CDC
As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has termed the season so far to be “moderately severe.” Infections have been widespread, with thousands of hospitalizations and at least 26 pediatric deaths.
Lawmakers Pledge Close Oversight Of Veterans Affairs
Top lawmakers of House and Senate veterans committees vowed to scrutinize how the VA spends money to alleviate long wait times and other problems at its facilities. Meanwhile, the agency probes reports of overmedication at a facility in Wisconsin.
More Hospitals, Doctors, Subscribing To Smartphone Services
Online services such as ZocDoc and InQuicker are enabling patients to schedule everything from doctor’s office visits to emergency room trips, reports The Associated Press. Meanwhile, new rules limit how nonprofit hospitals can go after patients who owe them money and calls to cut payments to inpatient rehab facilities stir controversy.
