Latest KFF Health News Stories
As the health law’s online marketplaces continue to experience problems, opinion writers look at the politics behind the health law and the effects on consumers.
Verizon Data Failure Takes Down Health Insurance Websites
Computer servers hosting a key part of the health law’s infrastructure relied upon by all 14 state-run health websites, as well as by the federal website that serves 36 states, failed Sunday. Terremark, a unit of Verizon that operates the servers, could not immediately give officials a timeline for fixing the problems.
The Wall Street Journal reports that a “lack of direction” may have been in play as the federal health exchange was being developed while CBS News offers a long look at how the health insurance system became what it is today.
So Far, Health Law Not Hurting Insurer Stock Prices
Health insurance stocks don’t seem to be hurt by implementation of the health law. In fact, share prices for the top five publicly traded firms have risen faster than the larger market. Elsewhere, The New York Times examines options for buying insurance outside the federal or state marketplaces, and some coverage is getting pricier.
Health Law Broadens Coverage Possibilities For Many People With HIV, AIDS
Stateline reports how the health law will broaden benefits for many of the 1.1 million Americans infected with HIV, especially those who live in the 25 states that are expanding Medicaid. Meanwhile, the Obama administration stresses that information an individual submits to sign up for health coverage cannot be used to enforce immigration law.
Republicans Eye Health Law Opportunities To Make Midterm Inroads
Republicans are set to pounce on the health law’s rollout problems as a way to make inroads in 2014’s midterm elections. Among the strategies they are considering is leaving the law out of budget negotiations but voting again in the House to delay the law. They plan further hearings to question officials on the rollout issues, and some are calling for Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ resignation.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Obama To Talk Health Law Importance In Boston As Sebelius Testifies
President Obama will try to bolster the health law Wednesday when he travels to Boston to talk about the law while HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill about healthcare.gov’s problems. In the meantime, the White House is busy trying to rally support for the law from congressional Democrats.
States Report Medicaid Surge As Result Of Health Law Rollout
Several media outlets examine how some states are signing up tens of thousands of new Medicaid enrollees in the first month of the health law’s rollout, while enrolling fewer people in private insurance policies. In addition, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett touts his alternative to Medicaid expansion using private insurance.
Questions About Medical Necessity For Some Surgeries, Screenings
The Washington Post looks at the dramatic increase in spinal fusion surgeries and whether all are necessary, while Kaiser Health News examines screenings for stroke and heart disease, some of which are not recommended for healthy people. The New York Times examines how the Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation to limit prescriptions for narcotic painkillers was years in the making.
UnitedHealthcare Cuts Doctors From Medicare Advantage Plans
UnitedHealthcare is dropping 10 to 15 percent of its doctors from Medicare Advantage plans around the nation, a move that will force some seniors to find new doctors or change plans.
A selection of health policy stories from Vermont, Maryland, Florida and Kansas.
First Edition: October 28, 2013
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including coverage of the health law’s federal online insurance marketplace — healthcare.gov — and its continuing challenges, troubles and the plans to get it fixed.
GOP Officials Press For Health Law Delay, Sebelius To Resign; Democrats Urge Patience
The troubles with the health website took center stage on the Sunday news shows and in the Saturday weekly addresses from the president and the Republicans.
Administration Announces Details Of Marketplace Website Fix
Jeffrey Zients, who was named by President Barack Obama to watch over the repairs to healthcare.gov, told reporters Friday that it should be running well by the end of November. Here’s a sampling of the afternoon coverage.
Capitol Hill Testimony: Testing Started Too Late, Was Limited
During Thursday’s House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, contractors who work on healthcare.gov told the panel that “end-to-end” testing that should have been done months before the online insurance marketplace’s launch actually began just weeks in advance. In addition, a last-minute administration decision to require users to sign in before shopping for insurance caused the system to bottleneck.
Nearly 700,000 Applications Completed Through Online Marketplaces
The Obama administration said Thursday that 700,000 people have completed applications for coverage in the health law’s new marketplaces – a key step before people can begin shopping for insurance plans. The update came as officials responded to complaints about the numerous glitches consumers are encountering as they try to shop for health insurance.
‘Grand Bargain’ Remains Elusive; Negotiators Focus On Sequester Cuts
Democrats remain committed to raising the necessary revenue to do this by closing tax loopholes for corporations and wealthy people. Republicans continue to call for spending trims to Medicare and other entitlement programs. Meanwhile, new estimates by the Congressional Budget Office find that raising the Medicare eligibility age produces less savings than previously thought.
Early State Enrollment Numbers Show Increased Medicaid Sign-Ups
Kentucky and New York release figures showing that a large majority of people signing up for coverage under the health law are qualifying for the federal-state program for low-income residents, often because they don’t have to pay anything to immediately enroll. Meanwhile, Arkansas says more than 62,000 people have been approved for that state’s innovative Medicaid program.
Clearer Obamacare Coverage Picture Developing For Specific Groups Of Americans
News outlets look at what the health law means for coverage: Insurers are dropping some plans, state denial of a Medicaid expansion is leaving some in a coverage gap, and farmers wait to see how the cost of their health insurance will change under the law.
