Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Defers Request To Pay Doctors For End-Of-Life Counseling
While signaling a willingness to consider the request from the American Medical Association, the agency did not include new billing codes for the service in its 2015 payment rules. Meanwhile, Consumer Reports publishes an end-of-life planning guide.
Some Consumers Could Be Double-Billed Due To Healthcare.gov Issues
Back-end issues with the federal exchange may result in new complications during the 2015 enrollment period, including double billing in some cases, reports The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, The New York Times explores the concerns of small business owners.
The Obama administration announced Tuesday that large employers who offer plans that don’t include coverage for in-patient hospital stays will not meet the health law’s standards. The administration outlined steps it will take going forward to address this issue.
State Highlights: Emergency Responders Squeezed In Texas; Mental Health Costs In Kansas City
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, Missouri, Kansas, California, North Carolina and Iowa.
Oklahoma Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Abortion Laws
Meanwhile, a federal appeals court sets the first week in January to hear arguments about a new abortion law in Texas.
Republican Shocks Democrat In Maryland Gov. Race
Elsewhere, Medicaid issues play a key role in deciding gubernatorial races in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia. And updates on races in Wisconsin, Florida, Michigan, Maine, Ohio, Texas and California.
How America Voted On Health Issues
In California, voters defeated measures to raise medical malpractice caps and regulate health insurance rates. “Personhood” amendments in South Dakota and Colorado are defeated, Ariz. approved a “right to try” proposal, and Massachusetts approves mandated paid sick time.
Voter Discontent Fuels Shake-Up In Political Order
The health law was one of several key issues on voters’ minds as they made decisions Tuesday.
Backlash Against Health Law Played Role In Some House, Senate Races
Republicans pounded a number of Democrats for their support of the measure. News outlets pointed to that issue in a sampling of election results.
As Senate Control Changes Hands, Will GOP Agenda Take On Obamacare?
Many observers say that an intra-party debate among Republicans over what to do next with the health law is among the leadership challenges ahead for Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the presumptive Senate Majority Leader.
First Edition: November 5, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Could Soon Face A Dilemma On Health Law; Midterm Effect On Medicaid
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Colo. Saves $31M On Medicaid Coordinated Care; Kan. Medicaid Growth Is Low
A selection of health policy stories from Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and West Virginia.
What You Need To Know On Election Day
Election issues include “personhood” amendments in North Dakota and Colorado, health care for the poor in Wisconsin, earned sick time in Massachusetts and food labeling in Oregon and Colorado.
Hospitals Boost Patient Care To Improve Their Bottom Lines
The long-neglected issue has become a top priority since Medicare began tracking patient satisfaction and shaving payments to hospitals that fell short. Meanwhile, The Fiscal Times looks at providers’ unhappiness with the administration’s $30 billion effort to encourage them to go digital.
Judge Blocks Government Effort To Bar Honeywell’s Wellness Program
A U.S. district judge in Minneapolis denied a request by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to prevent Honeywell from penalizing workers that opt out of the company’s corporate wellness program.
Aetna Shows Interest In Private Exchanges With Purchase Of Tech Company
The Associated Press reports that this segment of the employer-sponsored insurance market is relatively small but growing.
Officials Promise Colorado’s Health Exchange Will Be More User Friendly This Time
In other news, a “small subset” of Covered California enrollees has received multiple eligibility notices — some with conflicting information. And a health insurance recruiting project at California State University shows promising results.
Outcome Of Governors’ Races Key To Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion
Races in Maine, Georgia, Florida, Kansas and Wisconsin get close attention from expansion advocates. Meanwhile, safety net providers in Georgia are designing an experimental program to offer coverage to part of the expansion population without Obamacare funds.
News outlets cover a range of issues — from the specific benefits that health plans cover to premium changes that are in the works.
