Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Proposes Change In Generic Drug Makers’ Labels
The change would allow generic manufacturers to put new safety information on the labels without having to get FDA permission.
The health law, and the problems in getting it off the ground, are stirring strong feelings.
Proposals Likely This Week To Respond To Health Law Policy Cancellations
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., is among those who are expected to advance legislation. Her measure would extend the open enrollment period by at least two months.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
First Edition: November 11, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how Republicans are positioning themselves to capitalize on the health law’s implementation difficulties in the upcoming election season.
GOP Seeking To Rebound On The Issue Of The Health Law
Republican leaders believe the problems with the rollout of the law’s website and the concerns about policy cancellations gives them an opportunity to get beyond complaints about the government shutdown.
Parity Rule Boosts Insurance Coverage For Mental Health Care
The regulation, five years in the making, means insurers won’t be able to charge higher co-payments or deductibles for mental health services than they charge for treating physical ailments. Here’s a sampling of this afternoon’s news coverage of the final rule.
Obama Apologizes For His ‘You Can Keep It’ Promise
President Barack Obama issued the apology in an interview with NBC News that aired Thursday evening. He also said his administration was working on a fix for the problem.
10 GOP Senators Want Sebelius To Be Fired; Some Dems Press For Individual Mandate Delay
Health law politics are triggering a new wave of political posturing among lawmakers who are attempting to position themselves for the upcoming election season.
People With Canceled Policies Could Dampen Financial Risks Of Exchanges
People who had their insurance policies canceled could improve the financial risks for the health law’s online marketplace risk pool, a fact often ignored by those hammering the law. In the meantime, the uninsured and young aren’t flocking to the marketplaces yet, and a health policy expert says one fix could help improve marketplace enrollment.
Long-Awaited Rules Requiring Parity In Mental Health Coverage To Be Unveiled Today
The New York Times reports on the release of the mental health parity regulations.
Officials Acknowledge New Capacity Problems With Healthcare.gov
New Healthcare.gov capacity problems are emerging — this time as people trying to sign up for coverage get further along in the process, officials said in a conference call Thursday.
Small Businesses, Too, Are Getting Insurance Cancellation Notices
Some small businesses are getting notice of insurance policy cancellations, just like their individual coverage counterparts. Other small business owners continue to wait to learn what options will be available to them through the law’s online marketplaces.
Administration Pushes GOP-Controlled States To Accept Medicaid Dollars
The White House is pushing Florida and Louisiana to accept the health law’s Medicaid expansion — and the federal dollars that come with it. In the meantime, lawmakers from New Hampshire and Pennsylvania look for ways their states can also expand the state-federal health care program.
USA Today Reports 140,000 People Have Enrolled In Plans On Marketplaces Run By 13 States
State officials say the numbers are low because of snags in the websites and because consumers aren’t yet worried about the sign-up deadline. Other news organizations examine some of the marketplace issues in states.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Judge Greenlights Medicaid Contractor’s Lawsuit Against La.
A selection of health policy stories from Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and California.
Research Roundup: Pricing And The SHOP Exchange
This week’s studies come from Health Affairs, Pediatrics, the Journal of the American College of Radiology, The Kaiser Family Foundation, Topics in Antiviral Medicine, CDC, and news outlets.
First Edition: November 8, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of President Barack Obama’s apology to people who lost their individual market health coverage because of requirements of the health law.
Senate Dems Go To White House To Assess Health Law Political Fallout
The group of 16 met with President Barack Obama for about two hours, focusing on the floundering Healthcare.gov website and the possibility of backlash in next year’s elections. Some lawmakers also pressed the administration to extend the health law’s open enrollment period.
