Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Parsing Obamacare Numbers; Experts On Long-Term Care Insurance; French Cancer Care
A selection of opinions and editorials on health care from around the country.
First Edition: February 14, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on the least expensive health insurance markets and efforts to set up skimpier plans under the health law.
More Than 1 Million People Signed Up For Health Plans In January
According to Obama administration officials, the overall enrollment figure, which tops three million, reflects people who enrolled in coverage through the federal or state exchanges from October through January.
HHS Enrollment Figures Indicate Sign-Ups Even In States Where Officials Have Opposed The Health Law
News outlets offer a sampling of state-specific health plan enrollment numbers. Even Oregon, with its non-working exchange, signed up more than 33,000 people.
GOP States Struggling With Medicaid Expansion Issues
Higher rates of mental health and substance abuse disorders among the newly enrolled will be difficult to treat due to a lack of counselors and behavioral therapists who accept Medicaid patients. Medicaid expansion developments in New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wyoming and Virginia are also covered.
Covered California Infomercial Hits The Web; Koch Brothers Ad Attacks Mich. Dem
Ads are appearing ahead of the March 31st health insurance enrollment deadline and the 2014 congressional primaries.
Senate Sends President ‘Clean’ Debt Limit Bill
The Senate has approved and sent President Obama a “clean” debt limit bill, allowing the federal government to borrow money. The tactic by the GOP to pass the clean bill is criticized by non-Washington conservatives but allows most Republican lawmakers to vote against it. In the meantime, the Senate also passes House-approved legislation to extend Medicare cuts to restore some retiree benefits for veterans.
State Highlights: Ariz. Group Urges Public Hospital Changes
A selection of health policy stories from Arizona, Florida, California and Pennsylvania.
Poll: Uninsured Rate Lowest In Five Years
In other Obamacare implementation news, some regions are finding few plan options. And HHS is trying to resolve some healthcare.gov issues with a personal touch.
Indicted Colorado Exchange Director Had Been Fully Vetted, Officials Say
Colorado’s Connect for Health director was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday after being indicted for stealing from her last employer. Meanwhile, the new head of Massachusetts’ exchange pledges to fix it quickly, and Kansas navigators say they’re overcoming healthcare.gov’s rocky start.
Viewpoints: Decoupling Jobs And Insurance; Overblown Fear: Medicaid Willl Take My House
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Longer Looks: Women’s Advantages In Health Law; Health Effects Of The ‘American Dream’
This week’s articles come from The Atlantic, 60 Minutes, U.S. News and World Report, Medscape, Politico and The New York Times.
First Edition: February 13, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of yesterday’s update from the Obama administration regarding the number of people who have enrolled in private health insurance through the health law’s online marketplaces.
Obama: Latest Employer Mandate Delay Is Method Of ‘Smoothing Out’ Health Law Transition
President Barack Obama also said Tuesday during a joint press conference with French President Francois Hollande that he doesn’t see the employer-based health insurance system disappearing.
How Much Relief Will Result From The Latest Health Law Delay?
News outlets take a closer look at the impact of Monday’s Obama administration decision to postpone enforcement of the employer mandate for mid-sized businesses.
Proposal To Change Medicare’s ‘Observation Status’ Gains Congressional Support
After years of trying, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., says he is optimistic that Congress will change the Medicare policy that has left thousands of patients without coverage for nursing home care after leaving the hospital.
State Highlights: More States Gearing Up To Combine Medicare, Medicaid
A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Connecticut.
Rural California Plans New Trauma Centers
Communities in rural California are designating regional hospitals as trauma centers to avoid expensive and often time-consuming patient transfers. Meanwhile, a hospital system in Camden, N.J. overhauls the way it cares for the poorest and sickest patients and telemedicine bolsters intensive care services in rural Maryland.
Viewpoints: Obama’s ‘Cavalier Approach’ To Health Law; CBO Report’s Job Forecast Isn’t Bad News
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Healthcare.gov Contractors Scramble To Recruit Talent, Continue System Work
Meanwhile, even as efforts are ongoing to address the federal health exchange’s back end computer issues, state marketplaces in Maryland, Oregon and Minnesota face challenges.
