Latest KFF Health News Stories
Colorado Sets Its Exchange Fee
The price of policies in Colorado’s health insurance exchange will include a 1.4 percent fee to help fund exchange operations.
Applying For Benefits In Online Marketplaces Might Be Daunting
The Associated Press reports that the draft version of the application for a three-person family is 15 pages while the online version has 21 steps, some with additional questions. In other implementation news, a Commonwealth Fund study finds that 24 states and the District of Columbia have chosen benchmark plans that specify what must be covered by health insurance policies sold in and out of their online marketplaces.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.
Ariz., Fla. Governors Face Intra-Party Opposition To Medicaid Expansion
News outlets reports that, in Florida, Gov. Rick Scott’s support for the expansion was rebuffed by a Senate panel that voted against the expansion plan and instead is advancing an idea that would use federal money for private insurance. Meanwhile, in Arizona, Gov. Jan Brewer rolled out draft legislation to advance the Medicaid expansion, even though she was a vocal opponent of the health law.
Homelessness And Aging Combine For Significant Health Challenges
NPR reports the health issues that are faced by this growing population.
Medicaid Financing Issues Grab Attention Of State Lawmakers
State legislators deal with Medicaid financing issues including increasing hospital assessments to leverage federal money in Oregon, paying off Medicaid bills in Texas and detailing a shortfall in North Carolina.
State Roundup: Conn. Bill Would Require Kids Behavioral Health Assessments
A selection of health policy stories from New York, Connecticut, Oregon, Idaho, Georgia, Texas and California.
Obama Tells Senate Dems Entitlement Programs May Have To Change
In a meeting on Capitol Hill, President Barack Obama told members of his party that some changes to Medicare might be necessary to ensure the program’s survival. Obama also said that Republicans would have to give on revenue hikes before he would agree to entitlement changes.
Budget Proposals Show Democrats And Republicans Far Apart
The House GOP plan, which was unveiled yesterday, would repeal the health law’s subsidized insurance exchanges and Medicaid expansion and turn Medicare into a premium-support system. The Senate Democrats’ plan, scheduled for release today, would lower domestic spending in part by saving $275 billion through changes to Medicare and Medicaid that are smaller than those proposed by Republicans.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including highlights of the budget unveiled yesterday by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and previews of what to expect from the Senate Democrats’ blueprint, which will be released today.
Early reports on the budget being advanced by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., suggest the blueprint will score savings by proposing to turn Medicaid into a block grant program, repealing much of the 2010 health law and applying a premium support model to Medicare.
This Week Marked By Flurry Of Congressional Budget Activity
House Republicans and Senate Democrats will release their budgets this week as President Barack Obama continues to work to find areas of fiscal compromise.
Blue Cross Of Texas Kicks Off Enrollment Campaign For Insurance Marketplace
News outlets also report on health exchange developments in Michigan and the District of Columbia.
Cleveland Clinic, Community Health Systems Inc. Join Forces
The two well-known medical names say the collaboration is aimed at improving the quality of care while lowering costs at community hospitals across the nation.
Arkansas’ Abortion Ban Energizes Backers Of Fetal Heartbeat Laws
That state’s adoption of the nation’s strictest abortion ban — prohibiting abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, when a fetal heartbeat is usually found — is spurring advocates to push similar legislation in Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, North Dakota and Wyoming. Legal scholars say such laws have little chance of withstanding federal court scrutiny.
Senate Democrats To Take Up Government Funding Bill
The measure does not include the additional money the Obama administration was seeking to implement parts of the health law.
A selection of opinions on Rep. Paul Ryan’s proposed budget.
Brand-Name And Generic Drug Makers Join Forces To Challege FTC
Politico reports that the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments March 25 in this case.
Florida Senate Committee Rejects Medicaid Expansion
The vote doesn’t stop an expansion of coverage to the state’s uninsured since the panel could make an alternative recommendation. But it indicates that Gov. Rick Scott faces considerable pushback from his own party regarding his support of this provision of the health law.
Health Law Challenges Leave Some Democrats Complaining — In Public, Even
In the meantime, California runs into problems using the law to enroll the uninsured, and physicians who treat Medicaid patients have yet to see a raise the health law promised.
