Latest KFF Health News Stories
Advocates Press Fla. Lawmakers On Medicaid Expansion To Help Working Poor
About 800,000 residents of the state are stuck in a “coverage gap” because they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid since the state did not expand its program under the health law but they don’t earn enough to qualify for federal tax credits.
Hawaii Weighs Efforts To Fix Online Health Marketplace
The state set up its own exchange, but it’s losing money, and officials are considering options for a long-term fix or a switch to the federal marketplace instead. Also, new reports examine how the uninsured view the marketplaces and young adults’ deliberations on health insurance.
California Health Premiums Soar, Leading To Health Law Talk And Statewide Ballot Initiative
State insurance commissioner Dave Jones predicts that insurers and the California health exchange will take steps to temper premium increases for the coming year.
IOM Study Finds U.S. Medical Training May Not Be Meeting Needs For Care
The comprehensive report calls for major changes in doctor training and points out that it is difficult to track how the $15 billion spent by the federal government is being used.
Survey Offers Progress Report On California’s Enrollment Efforts
The survey of uninsured people within the state, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, found that nearly six of 10 gained insurance during the first open enrollment period — but reaching the remaining holdouts will become more difficult.
Federal Court Rejects Miss. Law Targeting State’s Only Open Abortion Clinic
A federal appeals court blocked a Mississippi law from taking effect that would have caused the state’s only abortion clinic to close because it would impose “an undue burden” on women.
Several Insurers Report Lower Profits
WellPoint and Humana say higher expenses kept profits down in the second quarter.
State Highlights: New York Faces $1.3B Medicaid Payback Problem
A selection of health policy stories from California, North Carolina, Iowa, Massachusetts and Illinois.
Viewpoints: Narrow Networks ‘Here To Stay;’ Gun Owners Challenge Doctor Privileges In Fla.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news from Capitol Hill on the Senate confirmation of Robert McDonald to head the VA.
Lawmakers Announce $17 Billion Deal To Overhaul VA Health Care
The overhaul makes it easier for veterans waiting a long time to see a VA doctor to get care from a private doctor’s office. It also includes money to hire new doctors and lease new clinic space. Negotiators are confident of the bill’s smooth passage through Congress.
Report: The Forecast For Medicare Trust Fund Is Flush ‘Til 2030
The Medicare trustees added four years to the solvency of the trust fund as Medicare’s financial circumstances experienced a slight improvement due in part to the continued slowdown in health care spending and, some say, elements of the health law.
States Wrestle With Medicaid Expansion Challenges
Application backlogs are an issue in Missouri and South Carolina. In Florida, a medical association makes clear its support for expanding the low-income health insurance program, and in Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal carves out a limited exception to his opposition to expanding Medicaid.
Aetna Quarterly Profits Up Amid Record Membership And Revenue
The insurer’s bottom line was helped by its acquisition of Coventry Health Care. Meanwhile, HealthSouth reported that its second-quarter profits were cut nearly in half.
State Highlights: Calif. Insurance Commissioner Asks For Premium Power
A selection of health policy stories from California, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, New Mexico, Kansas and New York.
Consumers Who Receive Insurance Subsidies Will Be Asked To Verify Income, Other Information
Meanwhile, news outlets report the latest on health exchanges in New Mexico, Oregon, Minnesota and Illinois.
Viewpoints: Medicare’s Future Finances; ‘Promising Deal’ On VA; Texas ‘War On Abortion’
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of the latest Medicare trustee report and the details of the veterans care legislation on Capitol Hill.
Trustees Project An Additional 4 Years Of Solvency For Medicare
Report by the trustees for Medicare and Social Security estimates the health insurance system for seniors will remain solvent until 2030.
Deal Said To Address VA’s Short- And Long-Term Needs
Negotiators on Sunday reported reaching an agreement, which is expected to authorize billions of dollars in emergency spending to bring more physicians, nurses and clinic sites to the Veterans Affairs system. Legislation is to be unveiled today. Lawmakers have only about five working days before the August break to finalize the agreement.
