Latest KFF Health News Stories
Cost Controls Key For Insurers Participating In Federal Employee Health Plan
The Washington Post reports on the development.
Democrats Focus On Pocketbook Issues After Rocky Health Law Rollout
On the defensive about health law missteps, the White House and congressional Democrats are stepping up attacks on the GOP over pocketbook issues like the minimum wage. Meanwhile, The Washington Post’s Fact Checker looks at a new attack ad.
N.H. Lawmakers Vote To Expand Medicaid; Va. Still At Impasse
In New Hampshire, the legislature approved the bill and sent it to the governor. The Virginia House, controlled by Republicans who oppose an expansion of the program for low-income residents, approved a budget that does not accept the governor’s request for expansion.
Poll: Majority Of Uninsured Unaware Of Approaching Deadline
More than 60 percent of those without health coverage are unaware that next week is the current deadline for most people to sign up for individual health coverage, according to the latest monthly tracking poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Another tracking poll by Morning Consult finds that 60 percent of Americans believe the federal health law will increase their personal health care costs.
State Highlights: Bad Grades For 45 States On Medical Price Posting
A selection of health policy stories from California, Kansas, Connecticut, North Carolina and Minnesota.
Weighing Coverage Options Down To The Wire
Some uninsured Americans, among them young adults, are weighing the costs of coverage against potential penalties with only days to go until the end of open enrollment for most people. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s health insurance exchange hits its enrollment target.
High Court Hears Arguments Regarding The Contraception Coverage Mandate
The justices appeared to be divided on the question of whether companies are entitled to a religious exemption from this mandate. A decision is expected in June.
Contraceptive Commentary: Religious Liberty Should Not Be Constrained; Women Employees Are Forgotten
Opinion writers take swipes at the case before the Supreme Court on the health law’s requirement that employers provide contraceptive coverage to their workers.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Obama administration will extend the deadline for signing up for insurance through healthcare.gov.
High Court Hears Arguments Regarding The Birth Control Coverage Mandate
Justices appeared divided over this case, which involves both issues of religious freedoms and a provision of the health overhaul.
High Court To Hear Arguments In Case Mixing Religious Freedoms And Birth Control Coverage
The case, which touches various politically charged issues, could have implications beyond the health law’s birth control coverage requirement.
Report: 32 Million Americans Underinsured In 2012
Those consumers had insurance that didn’t meet their needs, the report finds. Meanwhile, the Associated Press examines the difficulties Latinos have getting insurance. Members of the nation’s largest minority group account for a third of those people nationwide without coverage. But they also face unique hurdles in signing up before the March 31 deadline.
Appeals Court To Weigh Challenge To Health Law Subsidies
Opponents of the health law argue that the legislative language never says subsidies can be used to defray premium costs for low- and moderate-income people who live in states that did not set up their own online marketplaces and are served instead by the federal exchange. Also, in news about how the law is being implemented, a look at who is exempted from the mandate to get insurance.
New Pro-Health Law Bumper Stickers Take Aim At Tea Party
Also, Americans For Prosperity is airing new anti-Obamacare ads. As the political back-and-forth action continues, The Washington Post checks some of the facts.
Study: Many States Do Poorly On Health Care Price Transparency
Also, ProPublica examines doctor-drug company “double-dipping” at some academic medical centers.
Va. Gov.’s Medicaid Expansion Proposal Denied
Republicans in a House committee rejected the proposal, which is holding up a two-year budget deal.
MNsure To Give Some Deadline Flexibility To Last-Minute Health Exchange Shoppers
Minnesota officials announced Monday that people who hit technical snags that prevent them from completing the sign up process by March 31 may still be able to avoid the federal tax penalty for not having health insurance.
Report: Prescription Barriers More Likely In Exchange Plans
The analysis by Avalere Health says that consumers who purchased health law coverage are more likely to have to get prior authorization, among other requirements, when filling prescriptions.
Calif. Health Exchange Shoppers Will Get Voter Registration Form
The state will send voter registration cards to nearly 4 million state residents who visited the online insurance marketplace to ease voting rights group worries.
