Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Highlights: New Rules Could Disrupt Care For Disabled Kansans
A selection of health policy stories from Oregon, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Georgia, Colorado, California and Texas.
First Edition: August 13, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that more than 300,000 people who obtained new insurance through the health law could lose it if they do not provide proof by Sept. 5 that their immigration or citizenship status makes them eligible for it.
Healthcare.gov Fixer Takes Top Spot Of New ‘U.S. Digital Service’
The White House says it wants to apply the approach that was used to resuscitate the federal online insurance marketplace after its disastrous launch to the government’s other troubled websites and computer systems.
Tax Day 2015 May Be Another Health Law Hurdle
Some consumers are likely to face headaches sorting through new IRS forms about their health insurance coverage and whether they might be exempt from penalties.
Screening Test For Colon Cancer Wins FDA Approval
The test, called Cologuard, can detect genetic mutations in patients’ stool samples that are associated with cancerous and precancerous growths.
If Senate Flips In November, Health Law Likely To Face More Challenges
The GOP plan includes a series of votes on legislation to roll back all or parts of the overhaul. Such measures would set up a face-off with President Barack Obama.
Average Obamacare Premium Increase Estimated At 7.5 Percent
The estimate was part of an analysis done by the Health Research Institute at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Meanwhile, a separate analysis, this one by Citigroup, offers details regarding what California consumers can expect regarding premiums for coverage purchased through the state’s exchange.
Retiree Health Fund Pushes Postal Service Into Red
Nearly all of the Postal Service’s products produced revenue increases, but the agency is in debt because of a congressional requirement that it pay about $5 billion into a future retiree health care fund.
Feds Say Texas Responsible For Unnecessary Medicaid Spending
Elsewhere, a report says Kansas improperly claimed $10.7 million in Medicaid reimbursements for school-based services.
A selection of health policy stories from Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia, Massachusetts and California.
Silicon Valley Startup Pitches Self-Insurance Software
Collective Health says it can help employers save money with software that helps them pay workers’ health costs directly. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Apple is preparing to roll out ‘HealthKit,’ a monitoring app, as part of the iPhone 6 this fall.
Viewpoints: Robin Williams’ ‘Wakeup Call’; Surprise In Medicaid Growth; Tools To Stop Ebola In U.S.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: August 12, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories about how the federal government’s experience with healthcare.gov has led to the creation of the U.S. Digital Service.
Health Law Funds New Search For Health Care Improvements
News outlets report on aspects of the health law designed to foster and test innovation in the nation’s health cared delivery system.
Exchange News: Oracle Sues Ore. For $23M; Mass. Sticks With State-Run Website
Oracle Corp., the primary developer behind Oregon’s dysfunctional health insurance website, sued Cover Oregon and accused Gov. John Kitzhaber of conducting a “smear campaign” against the company. Meanwhile, Massachusetts officials decided to replace that state’s failed exchange with another from a private company, rather than shifting to the federal marketplace.
Out-Of-State Clinic Key To Texas Abortion Law Battle
Challengers of a tough Texas law regulating abortion clinics argue that it would soon close El Paso’s sole abortion clinic. That, critics say, could leave women seeking abortions to drive 550 miles or else go to an out-of-state clinic where those state regulations do not apply, undermining the law’s patient-safety arguments and constituting an “undue burden” on women.
State Highlights: Mo. Drops Many From Medicaid; Mich. Medicaid Shift Savings
A selection of health policy stories from Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Minnesota.
Efforts To Treat, Contain Ebola Virus Trigger Policy, Ethical Questions
A push to fast-track an experimental treatment is gaining momentum, but questions persist about this serum’s effectiveness, whether the drug should be brought to the places currently confronting outbreaks of the disease and who should have access to its limited supplies.
In what is emerging as an aggressive strategy for Congressional Republicans, these proposals would likely follow an early and largely symbolic vote to repeal the overhaul. Meanwhile, much is at stake in state-level elections.
New VA Secretary Orders Independent Audit Of Scheduling Practices
Robert McDonald promised to fix problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs that kept veterans from getting care. His comments came in a speech to a Disabled American Veterans conference and after touring the Phoenix veterans hospital at the epicenter of the scandal that prompted a change in VA leadership and a major increase in funding from Congress.
