Latest KFF Health News Stories
A Blip, A Plan, A Hotline … What’s New With The Exchanges?
On Tuesday, the federal online marketplace — healthcare.gov — went down for 30 minutes even as officials were pointing out a spike in sign-ups. Meanwhile, news outlets offer reports about the states that are integral to the administration reaching its enrollment target as well as updates from Maryland, Massachusetts, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.
Arrests In Ga. After Medicaid Expansion Protests
Several dozen people were arrested Tuesday after protests at the Georgia state capitol targeting Gov. Nathan Deal’s decision to not expand Medicaid under the health law. Elsewhere, Medicaid expansion makes news in New Mexico, New Jersey and California.
WellPoint Dips Toe Into Advising Providers On Managed Care
Other Medicare issues are examined: Observation care and cost to Medicare beneficiaries, hospice care and an experiment to give curative and palliative care at the same time.
RNC Chief Predicts GOP ‘Tsunami’ In Mid-Term Elections
Reince Priebus says the health law will tank Democratic candidates, while Republicans have made inroads with minorities and women since the 2012 presidential election.
House GOP Health Plan Still Long Way Off
Politico examines the difficulties for Republicans in Congress as they weigh offering a health reform plan. Meanwhile, The Fiscal Times highlights four fixes that would help the current law.
Some Well-Known Cancer Centers Are Not Included In Many Obamacare Plan Networks
An Associated Press survey finds examples across the country of renowned medical centers left off plans. Meanwhile, other news outlets report on implementation issues related to young people as well as premium costs.
State Highlights: Maine’s Health Problems; Minn. Insurance Costs
A selection of health policy stories from Maine, Minnesota, Maryland, Missouri, Massachusetts, Georgia and Florida.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including various stories about health law politics in the run up to the midterm elections.
Sign-Up Surge Brings Health Law’s Enrollment Tally To 5 Million
In the past two weeks, an estimated 800,000 people have used the health law’s online marketplaces to select health insurance. But doubts persist as to whether the number of enrollees will come close to the Obama administration’s latest target, and questions continue about how many of these shoppers have actually paid their premiums.
In Texas, Enrollment Push Lags
Although the number of uninsured is high in the Lone Star State, concerns about cost and opposition to the law have stymied efforts to get people to sign up for policies on the online marketplace.
Viewpoints: NRA Shouldn’t Derail Surgeon General Nominee; Democrats Need To Stand Up For Health Law
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
A selection of health policy stories from North Carolina, Connecticut, California and Georgia.
House Democrats Ask Treasury To Help Domestic Violence Victims Get Health Subsidies
Advocates for domestic violence victims and chronically ill people urge the Obama administration to issue rules enabling them to enroll in subsidized insurance. Meanwhile, doctors say they shouldn’t be left holding the bag for new health plan enrollees who have 90-day grace periods.
Former La. Gov. Edwin Edwards Is Running For Congress
The once disgraced politician says expanding health care accessibility will be a key part of his campaign. He finds fault with part of the health law but is more critical of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s decision not to expand Medicaid.
House GOP Will Seek Health Alternatives At April Town-Hall Meetings
As Republicans struggle to find an alternative to President Barack Obama’s health law, they will test some of their ideas at party meetings.
Analysis Finds Health Law Having Mixed Impact On Insurance Marketplace Competition
A seven-state snapshot of enrollment by the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that the overhaul has not significantly boosted competition.
Mass. Cutting Ties With Insurance Exchange Website Vendor After Problems
The contractor, CGI Group, is also the lead contractor on the federal marketplace website.
Obama Administration Highlights ‘Sweet Sixteen’ Bracket Full Of Reasons To Get Health Insurance
The White House is hoping to attract the interest of young people in the health law’s coverage options by using unorthodox approaches such as linking insurance to March Madness and reaching out to “digital influencers.”
Attorneys General From 28 States Call On Big Retailers To Stop Selling Tobacco
The retailers include large national chains like Walgreens and Walmart that have pharmacies and sell tobacco products.
