Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: August 28, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Congressional Budget Office’s latest projections regarding Medicare and Medicaid spending.
Conn. Exchange Chief To Run Healthcare.gov
Federal officials tap Kevin Counihan, who helped launch Connecticut’s successful online health insurance marketplace, to oversee the federal exchange, which is used by residents of three dozen states, and to prevent the problems that plagued it last fall.
Federal Investigators Request Firms’ Documents On Troubled Md. Exchange
The head of Noridian Healthcare Solutions says the HHS inspector general’s office sought documents related to the company’s work on Maryland’s online health insurance marketplace.
Open Payments Website Plagued By Delays, Difficulties
The site, which is supposed to make transparent payments between drugmakers and physicians, is slated to go public by Sept. 30. But as the deadline nears, the pharmaceutical industry is pressing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to be more transparent in explaining what’s going on with the database.
Futile Medical Care Crowds Out Other Patients
Also, one insurer and one business have end-of-life conversations with patients by phone.
Exchange Roundup: 2,000 Oregonians Must Switch Plans; Georgia Medicaid Applicants Still In Limbo
Media outlets cover exchange and Medicaid developments in Oregon, Georgia and Florida.
Nonprofit Hospitals’ Financial Woes Detailed In Report By Moody’s
Income for these hospitals declines as the government and insurers change the way they pay them.
Obama Vows Better Health Care, Other Initiatives, For Vets, Military
Addressing the American Legion’s national convention, the president announced steps to expand access to mental health care and an initiative to lower home loan costs for military families. He also promised a new “culture of accountability’ at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
State Highlights: Calif. Hospital Chain Sues Union; Texas Sues Xerox Again
A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Colorado.
Ariz. GOP Primary For Governor Won By Treasurer
Doug Ducey defeated former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. Smith had the backing of Gov. Jan Brewer after supporting her Medicaid expansion proposal. Also, other Arizona Republicans who backed the Medicaid expansion there withstand challenges from more conservative candidates. Elsewhere, former GOP Florida Gov. Charlie Crist won a Democratic primary to challenge Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
Minn. Home Health Care Workers Vote To Unionize
The Service Employees International Union will represent about 27,000 home health care workers — many of whom care for relatives — who are paid through Medicaid.
VA Watchdog Stops Short Of Tying Deaths To Delayed Care
In a report released Tuesday, the VA’s Office of Inspector General criticized a Phoenix VA hospital for “troubling lapses in follow-up, coordination, quality and continuity of care.” Investigators said that numerous veterans died after receiving substandard care, but they could not substantiate allegations that delays had caused at least 40 deaths.
First Edition: August 27, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about Kevin Counihan, the person who take on the challenge of running healthcare.gov.
Report Tallies Funds Committed To Federal Insurance Exchange
The federal government has committed nearly $800 million to the project, according the Health and Human Services’ inspector general. Also in the news, Washington state will have a special limited enrollment period for people who want to shop for coverage outside the marketplace as a result of continuing exchange problems. Meanwhile, Idaho is setting up its own marketplace.
Who Is Exempt From Health Law’s Mandate To Have Insurance?
The Miami Herald looks at the religious groups that pool their money to pay medical expenses and whose members are therefore exempt from the law’s requirement to carry insurance. Other stories look at the “drafting error” that is the basis of a legal challenge to the law’s subsidies and the administration’s latest accommodation on the contraceptive mandate.
State Highlights: Minn. Vaccine Requirements; Sovaldi in Calif. Prisons; Ga. Rural ERs
A selection of health policy stories from Minnesota, California, Georgia, Kansas, Arkansas and Maryland.
Vermont GOP Candidates For Governor Blast State’s Move Toward Single Payer System
The criticism of Gov. Peter Shumlin’s push for a publicly funded health care system came during a debate on the eve of the primary. Also, in Virginia, Republican Senate candidate Ed Gillespie unveils a tax plan that would repeal taxes in the health law.
Obama To Outline More Veterans Health Care Fixes
In a speech to the American Legion today, the president will announce new steps to improve veterans’ access to mental health care and the transition in getting care from the Department of Defense to VA systems.
Viewpoints: Check Out Those Nursing Home Stars; Rove A ‘Bleeding Heart Liberal’ On Medicare?
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
House Hires $500-An-Hour Lawyers To Sue Obama
House Republicans revealed they will pay law firm Baker & Hostetler LLP to sue President Barack Obama for allegedly overstepping his legal authority in implementing the Affordable Care Act by giving large employers a one-year extension to offer coverage.
