Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a story noting that insurers say about 80 percent of new enrollees have paid their first premiums for new insurance coverage under the health law.
Uninsured Rate Drops To Lowest Since 2008
The percentage of American adults without health insurance dropped to 13.4 percent in April — the lowest level since polling organization Gallup began tracking the rate in 2008. Gallup attributed the decline to “the surge in late health insurance signups to meet the official March 31 deadline” under the health law.
Massachusetts Starts Over With Insurance Exchange
The state also will prepare to join the federal insurance marketplace, as a back-up plan in case the new system is not ready in time for this fall’s open enrollment period.
Colorado Exchange Officials Debate Financial Plan
Connect for Health Colorado officials are scrambling to come up with a financial plan that does not raise fees. Meanwhile, a top executive with the company that Maryland hired to build its dysfunctional exchange is fired, and a new chairman takes over the Washington state board that oversees that state’s exchange.
Viewpoints: Obamacare A ‘Hispanic Success Story’; Another Day In Court For Health Law Challengers
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Health Law Plays Central Role In Key Senate Races
News outlets examine how the overhaul is being used in campaign ads in North Carolina, where a primary election is being held today, as well as in Iowa. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, the political spin has raised some eyebrows.
Insurer WellCare Doubles Profit Amid Higher Membership
In the meantime, Tenet Healthcare loses less after it acquires Vanguard Health Systems, Pfizer looks again to woo AstraZeneca into a purchase and Bayer AG moves to buy Merck’s consumer business.
A selection of health policy stories from North Dakota, Connecticut, Louisiana, Colorado, New York, Kansas and Missouri.
Massachusetts’ Deaths Fall After Coverage Expansion
Fewer people died in Massachusetts after the state required virtually all residents to have health insurance, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health. The study found the steepest decline in counties with the highest proportions of poor and previously uninsured people.
Va. Democrats Want GOP Counterparts To Offer Medicaid Expansion Alternatives
The state’s Democratic legislators called on GOP lawmakers to present an alternative proposal — one that was promised, they say, months ago to close the so-called coverage gap. Meanwhile, a Kansas study quantifies the impact that not expanding Medicaid might have on the health of state residents.
More Court Hearings For Health Law Legal Challenges
This week, the Pacific Legal Foundation will make oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Its challenge claims the health law imposes new taxes unconstitutionally. Meanwhile, a Connecticut couple has filed a lawsuit against the state’s online insurance marketplace over “moral principles” because they can’t buy a health plan on the exchange that excludes abortion coverage.
Who Will Pay The Tab For Uncompensated Care Under The Health Law?
News outlets take a look at Health Affairs studies that examine issues related to uncompensated care in the health law’s changing environment as well as whether illegal immigration leads to health care overuse.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news from Massachusetts that the state is scrapping efforts to fix its troubled health exchange and will start over — from scratch.
Laid-Off Workers Must Be Notified Of Health Exchange Options
The Obama administration issued a rule Friday requiring employers to inform laid-off workers that, in addition to paying the full cost of their former work-based coverage under COBRA, former employees also have the option of buying insurance through the health law’s online marketplaces.
Obama Uses Health Law As Laugh Line
President Barack Obama poked fun at the troubled launch of the health law’s online insurance marketplaces during his speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Health Spending Increases Hit Fastest Pace Since 1980
USA Today reports on this development, noting some of the factors that will continue to drive up costs. Also, Kaiser Health News explores issues related to who should get costly hepatitis C drugs and The Wall Street Journal reports on the delay in implementing the ICD-10.
Do Hospices Decline To Treat Dying Patients In Crisis?
The Washington Post reports on this development.
Highlights: High Colo. Insurance Rate Changes; La. Hospital Plan Rejected; VA Delays In Care
A selection of health policy stories from Colorado, Louisiana, Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan.
Health Law Will Factor Into North Carolina Primary
GOP leaders are lining up in support of North Carolina’s House Speaker Thom Tillis in hopes that he can unseat Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., who has faced heavy criticism for her support of the health law.
Calif. Enrollment Campaign Focused On Exchange At Expense Of Medicaid Backlog
The California Health Report examines how the state’s efforts prioritized the marketplace issues but fell short in handling Medicaid enrollment. In other Medicaid expansion news, the Arkansas director announces he’s leaving and Maine’s legislature cannot override the governor’s veto.
