Latest KFF Health News Stories
Bad News, Voter Anger Hang Over Midterm Elections
On Election Day, news outlets report on how the health law’s botched rollout as well as the Ebola scare are playing a role in voters’ moods and how Obamacare and other issues fit into the upcoming Senate agenda.
First Edition: November 4, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: States Shouldn’t Turn To Health Law Tactics; Changing The Assisted-Death Debate
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Mass. Gets $41B Deal With CMS; Huge Nursing Home Complaint Backlog In Calif.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Ohio, Massaschusetts, Oklahoma, Arizona and Kentucky.
Democratic Wins In Ga., Fla., Could Mean More Money For Hospital Chains
Bloomberg reports that an expanded Medicaid in these states would benefit hospitals. Elsewhere, abortion measures are on the ballot in North Dakota and Colorado.
Wrestling With Treatment Protocols, Estimating U.S. Ebola Cases
As American hospitals attempt to develop policies regarding the treatment of Ebola patients in an effort to avoid exposure of health care professionals, other medical experts are studying the spread of the illness to offer predictions about the number of U.S. cases that might occur. Meanwhile, news outlets also report on how the public is processing ongoing news about Ebola.
Medicare Sets 2015 Provider Rates, Weighs Payment For End-Of-Life Counseling
Federal officials also announced that Medicare will compensate doctors to coordinate care for those with multiple chronic health issues.
What’s Next For The Health Law If Republicans Claim Control Of The Senate?
News outlets analyze polls and campaign messages to predict mid-term congressional election outcomes but note that the health law does not seem to be a defining issue.
High Court Weighs Whether To Hear Health Law Challenge
This week, the Supreme Court is expected to announce whether it will hear another legal challenge to the health law, King v. Burwell, which could potentially roll back subsidized insurance in many states.
Tweaks To Small Business Exchange Still Underway
Administration officials say the website for small-business employees will be ready by Nov. 15. Meanwhile, healthcare.gov — the site for individual consumers — is expected to be more user-friendly this time round but will still have back-end issues making it difficult for insurance plans to get timely and complete information. And a Bankrate survey projects that half of Obamacare enrollees may not re-enroll.
First Edition: November 3, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Ebola Errors; McConnell’s Mixed Message; Shifts In Mental Health Care
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: The Effects Of ACOs; Declines In Medical Liability Payments
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
State Highlights: Ga. Official On Insurer’s Contract With Docs; Calif. Nursing Home Audit
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Montana, West Virginia and Louisiana.
Florida Medicaid Lawsuit Delayed Again
Medicaid lawsuits and settlements also make news in Kansas and Louisiana. In the meantime, a proposal in Alaska to limit Medicaid payments for physical, occupational and speech therapy draws protests.
Candidate Credentials Hinging On Health Law
Elsewhere, a “health care compact” to give states more control over their health care, and less power to the federal health law, becomes a campaign issue in Kansas.
Debate Heats Up Over Mandatory Quarantines For People Who Are Not Sick
NPR reports that legal experts contend that certain states may be going too far. In addition, The Associated Press examines how the Ebola protocols for returning military and civilian workers are different.
Aging Baby Boomers Spark High-Tech Health Innovation
Entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are building companies to address the needs of baby boomers as they age. Meanwhile, health insurers Cigna, Aetna and Humana continue to report revenue increases as the financial losses from the Affordable Care Act decline in the third quarter.
HHS Watchdog Criticizes Medicare Rule That Allows Drug Purchases After Patient’s Death
Also, in other Medicare news, officials cut $60 million from Medicare spending on home health services.
Democrats Face Voter Appeal Challenges On Health Care, Safety Net
The Wall Street Journal looks at how Democratic messaging on health care and other social and safety-net issues is playing during this election season. Also, the Sacramento Bee and CBS News parse the veracity of campaign ads.
