Latest KFF Health News Stories
Americans Blame Health Law For Rising Costs, Eroding Coverage
Meanwhile, in the background, President Barack Obama’s acknowledgement that his promise that people could keep their coverage was inaccurate continues to make news.
Report: Health Law Regs Were Delayed Ahead Of Obama’s Reelection
These rules, along with others related to the environment and worker safety, were delayed to avoid introducing contentious issues into the 2012 campaign, The Washington Post reports.
New Regulations Could Improve Vets’ Access To Care For Some Traumatic Brain Injuries
The New York Times reports on this development.
Latino Enrollment In Healthcare.gov Is Still Low
News outlets examine the problem, especially important in California.
Congressional Lawmakers And Political Opponents Stake Out Health Law Positions, Strategies
For some, hitting the right note about the health law is proving to be a challenge.
With One Week To Go, Insurers Look For Healthy Enrollees
Supporters and detractors of the health law are focused on so-called “young invincibles,” adults in their 20s and 30s who don’t rack up large medical bills. Dec. 23rd is the deadline for signing up for insurance starting Jan. 1.
Politics The Predictor Of Whether States Opt To Expand Medicaid
The Associated Press reports that the decision about whether to pursue the Medicaid expansion has more to do with how states vote in governors’ races than with need.
Individuals Still Getting Errors From Health Website As Notifications To Insurers Lag
The Wall Street Journal looks at some of the inaccurate assignments that many consumers find when they seek insurance on the new marketplaces. Meanwhile, the enrollment records for 15,000 people were not properly transmitted to insurance plans, according to federal officials.
HHS-Issa Tension Over Healthcare.gov Security Continues
Meanwhile, Rep. Waxman says the website is secure.
States Race To Fix Insurance Exchange Glitches
In Maryland, Vermont and Oregon, state officials are still hammering out technological issues preventing consumers from signing up for coverage. In California, in contrast, the pace of enrollment in December has been nearly three times that of a month earlier as the deadline approaches to sign up for coverage that takes effect Jan. 1.
A selection of health care news from Virginia, Florida, North Carolina and Iowa.
Small Businesses Wrestle With Higher Insurance Costs, Confusion
Many small businesses are facing significant rate increases under the law and have opted instead to renew existing policies, reports The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The law’s impact on the Hollywood film and television industry, which relies heavily on freelancers, and the latest extensions granted to those buying coverage in new online exchanges also get coverage.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: December 16, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including findings from an Associated Press poll probing Americans thoughts about the health law.
Poll: Insured Americans Blame Health Law For Rising Expenses
The AP-GfK survey finds many people think that their increasing health insurance premiums and deductibles are tied to the health law. Meanwhile, Republican officials say they will continue to seek to defund or overturn the law.
Feds Announce Steps To Avoid Coverage Lapses
The Obama administration announced Thursday a series of actions — including giving consumers more time to pay their premiums and a one-month extension of a high-risk insurance program — to help prevent lapses in insurance coverage as key parts of the health law kick in Jan. 1.
High-Risk Pool Extension Gives Sick People More Time To Pick A Health Plan
The decision will give an estimated 85,000 people who were enrolled in the pre-existing condition insurance plans created by the health law, which were originally scheduled to expire on Jan. 1, an extra month to enroll in new coverage.
Insurers, Officials Try To Push Through Website Data Problems To Enroll New Customers
A healthcare.gov website data delivery glitch is keeping insurers from fully enrolling people in coverage under the health law’s new online exchanges. In the meantime, Health and Human Services officials are asking insurers to allow consumers to pay premiums late and to let them temporarily see doctors who may not be on their health plans.
Celebrities Sell Obamacare Using Rap, Social Media
Since spring, the White House has worked with stars like Jennifer Hudson and Amy Poehler to engage 18- to 34-year-olds. Now states like California are also getting into the act, enlisting rap artists and others.
When Will The First Premium Payment Be Due?
Although the new rules announced on Thursday finalized the administration decision to extend the enrollment deadline for Jan. 1 coverage until Dec. 23, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius also asked insurers to give consumers more time to pay their premiums.
