Latest KFF Health News Stories
Companies Continue To Shed Retiree Health Coverage
McClatchy reports on this trend. Among American workers, employer-provided retiree coverage has dropped from 29 percent in 1997 to 17.7 percent in 2010.
State Roundup: Battles Fought Over Lyme Disease, Autism and Abortion
In Texas, abortion providers file suit to block a state rule that could shut down many of the state’s remaining clinics, while lawmakers in Vermont and N.Y. seek to protect doctors who prescribe long-term antibiotics for patients with lasting symptoms attributed to Lyme disease. In Kansas, a mandate to cover autism treatments is sent to Gov. Sam Brownback for his signature.
With Eyes On Upcoming Congressional Elections, Democrats See Glimmer Of Hope In Enrollment Numbers
For months, Republicans have viewed the health law as a powerful weapon against Democratic opponents, but the better-than-expected enrollment figures offered Democrats a positive counter-argument. Meanwhile, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, continues to voice dissatisfaciton with his own “Obamacare” health policy.
New Medicaid Era Takes Different Paths In Mich., Wis.
The neighboring states opt for different approaches to Medicaid expansion. Meanwhile, in Missouri, two Republican lawmakers clash over whether to accept the health law’s expansion and the Pennsylvania governor says he is nearly ready to pull back his proposal that is languishing with federal officials.
Confident From Enrollment Numbers, Obama Turns Focus To GOP Health Care And Budget Plans
President Barack Obama continued to tout the success of the health care law, using the momentum to attack the House GOP’s new budget proposal, as well as providing a blueprint for the defense of the law for Democrats in upcoming elections.
Failed State Exchanges Set Sights Too High, Say Experts
Common themes characterize several failed state exchanges, including trying to do too much the first year and having tangled lines of authority, reports CQ HealthBeat. Meanwhile, officials who oversaw those troubled marketplaces prepare to testify before congressional committees.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Longer Looks: New Doubts About Shaken Baby Syndrome; Arresting The Mentally Ill
This week’s articles come from Seattle Met, The New York Times, WBUR, The Atlantic and Salon.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on how Paul Ryan’s budget is playing on Capitol Hill as well as news that the Obama administration is releasing a trove of data on physician services and payments.
White House: More Than 7 Million Health Insurance Sign-Ups
The official enrollment cut-off has come and gone, and the Obama administration is claiming a big win based on the last-minute surge of interest in online insurance marketplaces. President Barack Obama viewed the number as a rebuttal of the months-long criticism over the health law.
Counting Will Continue After ‘Official’ Deadline
The counting goes on as federal and state exchange officials tally consumers who are taking advantage of various extensions to sign up late. Efforts to determine whether the overhaul is working also continue.
Politics Swirl Around The 7 Million Enrollment Figure
There is some talk that this preliminary tally is a wake up call for Republicans and other health law critics who, just weeks ago, viewed the healthcare.gov’s troubles as proof the law could not work. Meanwhile, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, in an effort to move into the 2016 presidential mix, will offer a health law replacement plan, and some congressional Democrats continue to feel skittish.
Who Enrolled In Health Law Coverage And What Do They Bring To The Risk Pool?
The final days of open enrollment were marked by a surge that helped the Obama administration clear a key milepost. But not yet known is what this population actually looks like. Were these people previously uninsured? Did young people sign up in big enough numbers? And will the insurance model actually work?
Fight Over Medicaid Expansion Intensifies In Virginia, Other States
The battle for the future of Medicaid in Virginia is expected to heat up, with both sides of the divide paying close attention to a proposal to expand the program through the state budget.
Maryland Scraps Exchange Software, Will Buy Connecticut’s System
Now that the enrollment period has ended, the board that runs Maryland’s troubled online insurance marketplace has opted to start over with a system that worked well in Connecticut.
Ryan Plan Would Repeal Health Law, Offer Private Option Medicare
The budget proposal by Rep. Paul Ryan, House Budget chairman and a possible Republican contender for the White House in 2016, would repeal the health law but maintain its savings and taxes. Beginning with those who turn 65 in 2024, it would offer seniors a fixed amount to purchase a private plan or traditional fee for service Medicare.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Abortion Restrictions In Mississippi, Arizona
And in Hawaii and Los Angeles, some advocacy groups are worrying about providing health insurance to migrant workers and undocumented workers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news and analysis about the 7 million insurance enrollment tally.
White House Touts Breaking Original Enrollment Target
The health law “has made our broken system a lot better,” the president says in a Rose Garden ceremony marking the end of the enrollment period and the announcement that 7 million people signed up for coverage on the marketplaces.
