Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicaid Roundup: Fla. Gets 3-Year Renewal For Managed Care Program
About 3 million Floridians are enrolled in the privatized program. Meanwhile, Illinois Medicaid limits who is eligible for Sovaldi, an expensive hepatitis C drug, and Kansas recoups more than $28 million in Medicaid fraud.
Viewpoints: Ignagni On Prices Of New Drugs; Sen. Johnson On The Difficulty Of Suing A President
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a variety of health policy stories reflecting developments on the state level.
Administration: Next Enrollment Season Will Have ‘Bumps’
In a House hearing, the number two official at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services responds to a critical GAO report and says while improvements to the federal online exchange are being made, it still “won’t be perfect.”
Critics Ask Supreme Court To Take Case About Health Law Subsidies
The appeal comes after the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., upheld the administration’s use of subsidies on the federal insurance marketplaces. The D.C. appeals court has ruled against the administration on the issue, and critics hope the high court will step in to resolve the matter.
Senate Clears $16.3 Billion Plan To Overhaul Vets Health Care System
The measure, which was approved by the House Wednesday, will now move to the White House for President Barack Obama’s signature.
Medicare Drug Premiums To Rise $1 A Month In 2015
The modest increase of the monthly premium to $32 comes even as officials are concerned about the impact of expensive specialty drugs, such as Sovaldi, which cures hepatitis C but costs $1,000 a pill.
Medicaid Expansion Offers Financial Boost For Hospitals
Second quarter earnings reports highlight how health law provisions are helping increase hospital companies’ profits.
Senate Bill Introduced To Maintain Medicaid Primary Care Pay Boost Through 2016
In other news, House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats unveiled legislation to extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program for four years.
Health Law Negatives Reach An All-Time High
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s monthly tracking poll, negative views of the health law reach a high point, erasing six months of gradual improvements in popularity. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)
State Highlights: Time Of Turmoil For Georgia Hospitals
A selection of health policy stories from Georgia, Wisconsin, Texas, Oregon, Florida, Michigan, Massachusetts, Connecticut and North Carolina.
A selection of the editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Going Against Trends, Covered California Premiums To Rise Just 4.2% In 2015
While many other states are experiencing double-digit increases, California’s modest premium boost is viewed as good news for the health law.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more questions about how healthcare.gov will function during the next open enrollment period.
GAO Report: Poor Planning And Oversight Led To Website Woes
The government watchdog organization also found that more problems could emerge in the upcoming enrollment season. Investigators suggested implementation of a cost-control plan and improved oversight procedures, among other steps.
House Authorizes Boehner To Proceed With Lawsuit Against President Obama
The House voted mostly along party lines to proceed with the lawsuit against President Barack Obama. The legal challenge, which focuses on last year’s White House decision to delay the employer mandate, alleges that the president’s use of executive power is unconstitutional.
Few States Plan To Extend Medicaid Pay Raise For Primary Care Docs
Also in the news, the Government Accountability Office examines Medicaid’s supplemental payments to hospitals and health care providers.
IOM Report Calling For Medical Education Reform Could Set Up Major Battle Over Funding
The report, which says the $15 billion spent annually to train doctors is failing, could lead to congressional battles and rivalries among doctors’ groups.
Hospital ‘Observation Stays’ Scrutinized By Senate Aging Committee
Meanwhile, on the House side, the Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation that would allow people with group health insurance to keep policies that don’t conform to the health law’s standards.
