Latest KFF Health News Stories
Labor, Chamber Of Commerce Make Clear Where They Stand On The Health Law
Labor union leaders say the Obama administration’s refusal to help with health law provisions they view as unsatisfactory is undermining their support for this year’s midterm elections. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is looking at ways to fix, rather than repeal, the overhaul.
In Pre-Game Rumble, Obama Pushes Back On O’Reilly Questions About Health Care
The president told the Fox anchor that he regrets his earlier comments that people who like their insurance would be able to keep it.
Cantor: GOP To Vote On Obamacare Alternative
The majority leader didn’t give a timetable for a House Republican plan.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Report: 5 States, Including Texas, Are Anti-Obamacare Diehards
The report by researchers at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms looked at which states declined to implement the law’s major components. Meanwhile, conservative Kansas lawmakers push to sever their state from the law’s authority and Indiana residents are slow to enroll in new insurance.
U.S. Abortion Rate Drops, But Not For The Reasons You Might Think
A new study finds that the rates are lowest in 40 years.
State Highlights: Cities, States Spending Nearly 32% Of Budgets On Health Care
A selection of health policy stories from Michigan, New York, California, Wisconsin, Maryland, Georgia, Colorado and Mississippi.
Kentucky, Georgia Offer Insights To Health Law Realities
The Washington Post and Kaiser Health News examine how the overhaul is working on the ground in specific locations.
Administration Looks At Ways To Ensure Health Care Continuity
HHS is looking at a rule to guarantee that a patient can remain with their specialist for the duration of treatment after they change insurance plans. Meanwhile, tens of thousands are unable to appeal enrollment errors and a little-known provision of the law extends coverage to former foster kids until they turn 26.
First Edition: February 3, 2014
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a range of stories about how the health law is working in different locations across the country.
Cantor Says House GOP Will Offer Health Law Alternative
The House majority leader announces committee chairman on working on a new proposal. “Obamacare is on borrowed time,” he says.
ACOs’ Efforts To Coordinate Patient Care Saved $380 Million
In their first results of the heralded program — which was set up in the health law — federal officials say about half of the accountable care organizations slowed spending but few met the requirements to qualify for bonuses.
A new PricewaterhouseCoopers report finds that the average premium on an exchange is lower than the average premium of an employer-sponsored health plan. Meanwhile, the federal health online marketplace has added a new section to allow consumers who have already signed up for insurance to report life changes. Finally, news outlets provide updates on state exchanges in California, Hawaii, Connecticut, Maryland and Minnesota.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care.
For Many, Chronic Illness Sets Up Difficult Financial Choices
Reuters reports on these findings based on the 2011 National Health Interview Survey.
Calif. Anthem Upping Rates For Some ‘Grandfathered’ Plans
Anthem’s planned rate increase would impact thousands of California individual policy holders with older health plans that are not touched by the health law’s requirements.
State Highlights: Va. Senate Panel Backs Mental Health Bill
Health care news from Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Virginia and Wyoming.
Henry Waxman Retiring After Four Decades In Congress
The former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee has been one of the Democratic party’s public health champions, helping to craft the sweeping 2010 health care law which he called one of his “lifelong dreams
Dems Trade Barbs On Botched Insurance Exchange Rollouts
In Maryland and Oregon, Democratic politicians are blaming each other for problems with state-run exchanges.
Major Health Law Provisions Still Need Regulatory Attention
Meanwhile, California lawmakers criticize the hiring of people with criminal records to be insurance counselors, and labor leaders continue to complain the law will undermine coverage for their members.
