Latest KFF Health News Stories
Kentucky’s Health Exchange Plays Big In Senate Race
The state’s online insurance marketplace has proven popular, creating difficulties for the Republican incumbent, Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has vowed to repeal Obamacare, and giving a boost to Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes.
UnitedHealth Group, HCA Raise Outlook
Both the health insurance company and the hospital operator raised their 2014 outlooks after posting results in the third quarter that beat expectations.
State Highlights: Merck To Pay $31 Million To Settle States’ Medicaid Fraud Claims
A selection of health policy stories from California, Arkansas, Illinois and Colorado.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: The Mystery Of Enterovirus; Mutating Ebola
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
First Edition: October 16, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about renewing health insurance on the federal health exchange as well as the latest news regarding the Ebola outbreak.
California To Cancel Health Coverage For 10,474 Because Of Citizenship Questions
The state’s insurance exchange will cancel coverage for these people because they failed to prove their citizenship or legal residency. Under the health law, people living in the United States illegally are not eligible for Obamacare plans.
Colorado’s New Health Exchange Running Late
The state’s “Kentucky-style” system won’t be ready until just days before open enrollment begins Nov. 15, while a third Colorado exchange official announces she’s leaving. In Oregon, meanwhile, a consultant writes a blistering critique of that exchange and the governor’s plan for its future.
State Highlights: Ariz. Agrees To Settlement On Health Care For Prisoners
A selection of health policy stories from California, Pennsylvania, Arizona, D.C., Texas and Missouri.
GOP Maverick Embraces Medicaid Expansion
The Washington Post examines the efforts by Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, to redefine the GOP. While touting party orthodoxy on economic matters, he has embraced his own version of compassionate conservatism, among other things, implementing the health law’s Medicaid expansion. And he is sailing to re-election in a key battleground state.
FTC Cracks Down On Companies Selling Phony Health Insurance
The firms sold consumers a discount card but it offered no health insurance benefits. Also in the news, a government researcher says federal officials need to monitor billing errors and overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans.
Views On Ebola: Try To Keep ‘An Even Keel’; Who’s In Charge Of Fighting A Pandemic?
News outlets offer a variety of views about how the country responds to Ebola.
Viewpoints: Health Law Undercuts Labor Markets; The Surprising Foes On Calif. Prop 45
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Second Dallas Health Worker Has Ebola; CDC Announces ‘More Robust’ Response
Seventy-six health-care workers who helped treat Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan are being monitored for potential Ebola exposure. Forty-eight others are being watched because they had contact with Duncan.
High Court Allows Texas Abortion Clinics To Stay Open
The Supreme Court’s order, staying a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, will allow more than a dozen clinics to resume operations at least temporarily, until a legal challenge has been settled.
Colorado University To Limit Student Work Hours — Partly To Ease Health Law Coverage Requirements
Elsewhere, one woman’s story of why getting coverage is important.
First Edition: October 15, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest news regarding the second Dallas health worker diagnosed with Ebola and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s strategy to deal with the threat.
Revamped Healthcare.gov Will Deal With New Complications
The Associated Press reports on how the updated website, which has been overhauled in anticipation of the upcoming second enrollment season, compares with last year’s version. Meanwhile, investigations continue regarding Covered California’s no-bid contracts.
Medicaid Expansion Plans, Debates Continue To Roil GOP Officials, Cause Concern For Hospital Execs
News outlets offer updates regarding Medicaid expansion efforts in Indiana and Ohio.
State Highlights: Supreme Court To Hear N.C. Scope-Of-Practice Case
A selection of health policy stories from North Carolina, Alaska, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico and North Dakota.
