Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicare Part B Premium Costs Will Hold Steady in 2014
For the upcoming year, premiums will be $104.90 a month. In 2013, beneficiaries experienced a $5-per-month increase.
Obama’s Labor Allies Sitting On Sidelines Of Health Care Rollout
Unions, which were disappointed in an administration decision to keep a tax on their group health plans, are not jumping in to help the White House in the battle to get the public signed on to the law. Meanwhile advocates and insurers are spending time with general messaging about the health care law until the marketplace website is working.
What Would A Mandate Delay Mean For Insurers, The Health Law
As talk continues over possibly putting off parts of the health law, news outlets look at what delaying the mandate that nearly all Americans have health insurance could do to insurers and just how smart the move really would be — despite the seemingly good politics of a delay.
Administration Officially Extends Deadline For Health Insurance Sign-Up
The AP reports that “previously you had to sign up by the middle of February, guaranteeing that your coverage would take effect March 1, in order to avoid fines for being uninsured.”
Federal Judge Blocks Parts Of Texas Abortion Law
A federal judge in Texas Monday partially blocked an abortion law there that would have required abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals in order to perform the procedure — a move that abortion rights advocates say would have shuttered nearly all the state’s abortion clinics. The judge also blocked part of the law that restricted the use of medication-induced abortion. Law proponents plan to appeal.
The New York Times examines how Gov. John Kasich, once a Republican leader in Washington, has defied the party orthodoxy on Medicaid. And Politico looks at the large number of Medicaid enrollments.
State Highlights: Ala., Catholic Media Group File New Lawsuit
A selection of health policy stories from Alabama, California, Texas and Massachusetts.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: October 29, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including previews of a Capitol Hill hearing that will feature Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serivces Administrator Marilyn Tavenner.
Website Problems Cast New Doubts On Obama’s Vision
President Barack Obama has struggled throughout his presidency to convince the American public that the government can be used to address seemingly “intractable” problems and make transformational changes, but the recent difficulties with healthcare.gov could amount to a serious test to this philosophy.
Administration Announces Website Will Be Fixed By November
Even as U.S. officials and the contractors they hired delve into the online marketplace’s problems, issues arise in paper and phone applications too. Meanwhile, the familiar photo on the website is gone.
Delaying Coverage Mandate Not A Simple Idea
News outlets examine the political and policy issues involved in delaying the health law’s requirement that almost everyone have health insurance.
State Exchange Updates: Football Marketing, Slow Starts And Calif.’s Litmus Test
News outlets provide updates on state health insurance exchanges in Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota and California, the state that many believe will provide a litmus test on how, and if, the state-based exchanges can work elsewhere.
IRS Offers Preliminary Glimpse Of How Many People Were Able To Use Healthcare.gov
According to the Internal Revenue Service, the federal government has delivered 330,000 premium subsidy calculations to people who have gotten far enough to find out whether they qualify for health insurance subsidies. Meanwhile, CNN looks deeper into some of the numbers currently being quoted.
As the health law’s online marketplaces continue to experience problems, opinion writers look at the politics behind the health law and the effects on consumers.
Verizon Data Failure Takes Down Health Insurance Websites
Computer servers hosting a key part of the health law’s infrastructure relied upon by all 14 state-run health websites, as well as by the federal website that serves 36 states, failed Sunday. Terremark, a unit of Verizon that operates the servers, could not immediately give officials a timeline for fixing the problems.
The Wall Street Journal reports that a “lack of direction” may have been in play as the federal health exchange was being developed while CBS News offers a long look at how the health insurance system became what it is today.
So Far, Health Law Not Hurting Insurer Stock Prices
Health insurance stocks don’t seem to be hurt by implementation of the health law. In fact, share prices for the top five publicly traded firms have risen faster than the larger market. Elsewhere, The New York Times examines options for buying insurance outside the federal or state marketplaces, and some coverage is getting pricier.
Health Law Broadens Coverage Possibilities For Many People With HIV, AIDS
Stateline reports how the health law will broaden benefits for many of the 1.1 million Americans infected with HIV, especially those who live in the 25 states that are expanding Medicaid. Meanwhile, the Obama administration stresses that information an individual submits to sign up for health coverage cannot be used to enforce immigration law.
Republicans Eye Health Law Opportunities To Make Midterm Inroads
Republicans are set to pounce on the health law’s rollout problems as a way to make inroads in 2014’s midterm elections. Among the strategies they are considering is leaving the law out of budget negotiations but voting again in the House to delay the law. They plan further hearings to question officials on the rollout issues, and some are calling for Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ resignation.
