California Launches Campaign To Curb E-Cigarette Smoking
Though not as harmful as smoking regular cigarettes, ‘vaping’ is both toxic and gaining in popularity, especially among young people, California officials say.
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Most Californians On Insurance Exchange Are Sticking With Last Year’s Plan
In California, the vast majority of people renewing health insurance coverage in the state’s exchange did not switch health plans, and instead are sticking with the one they selected last year.
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With Half of California’s Kids On Medicaid, Advocates Worry About Service
More children than ever before have enrolled in Medi-Cal, half of children in California, causing concern about timely access to treatment.
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Indiana Medicaid Expansion May Tempt Other GOP-Led States
A three-year agreement between Indiana and the federal government imposes cost-sharing on poor adults and uses a cigarette tax and a fee on hospitals to pay the state’s costs of expanding Medicaid — and could lead to other GOP-led states following suit.
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Letters To The Editor: Chronic Care Transitions, Proton Therapy, California’s Caregivers
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to respond, react and comment on our stories.
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If Supreme Court Rules Against Insurance Subsidies, Most Want Them Restored
A new poll shows that most Americans favor governmental action to restore subsidies if the Supreme Court limits their availability.
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One South Florida ZIP Code Leads The Nation In Obamacare Enrollment
Saturation advertising in one Hispanic-heavy city in South Florida has led to unusually high rates of health plan sign-ups through the federal insurance exchange — and they lead the nation in health law insurance enrollment.
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‘Orthopedic Capital Of The World’ Is Still Hiring Despite Health Law Tax
The medical device industry hopes a GOP Congress will repeal what they say is a job-killing tax, but critics say companies exaggerate its impact.
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Do I Have To Repay Premium Tax Credits If The Marketplace Miscalculated Them?
KHN’s consumer columnist answers questions from readers about premiums, the health law’s tax credits and penalties.
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Learning About Hospice Should Begin Long Before You Are Sick
With the growth of the hospice industry, consumers have a number of choices for end-of-life care. Here’s a primer to help be prepared.
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Enrollees In Pa.’s Medicaid Expansion Locked Out Of Substance Abuse Services
An apparent glitch in enrolling Pennsylvania residents into that state’s Medicaid expansion, which was championed by former Gov. Tom Corbett, limits mental health and addiction services for enrollees.
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HHS Pledges To Quicken Pace Toward Quality-Based Medicare Payments
As part of their effort to improve quality while cutting costs, federal officials announced Monday that they want programs such as accountable care organizations and bundled care to account for 50 percent of traditional Medicare spending by the end of 2018.
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Vice President Joe Biden Calls For Renewed Focus On Patient Safety
At an Irvine, Calif., conference, Vice President Joe Biden told hospital executives and other health care leaders that it’s time to “double down” on making patients safer in hospitals and reducing infections and readmissions.
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Cleveland Hospitals Grapple With Readmission Fines
The Cleveland Clinic, serving mostly insured patients, sees its Medicare fines go down, while fines go up at the city’s hospitals in low-income neighborhoods. The National Quality Forum is beginning a trial to adjust the program for hospitals that serve more poor people.
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Insuring Your Health
Obamacare Drug Coverage Descriptions May Confuse Consumers About Costs, Study Finds
Healthcare.gov only allows insurance plans to list cost sharing details for four drug tiers, but many plans on the website have more than that, potentially leading to consumer confusion, according to an analysis by Avalere Health.
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Judge Orders California To Make Timely Decisions On Medicaid Coverage
A California judge has ruled that the state must make timely decisions on Medi-Cal applicants, and that those who have waited more than 45 days for approval from the state can get temporary coverage.
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Fourth Florida Insurer Agrees To Cap Cost Of HIV Drugs
A fourth insurer in Florida, Preferred Medical Plan, was hit with a federal civil rights complaint for discriminating against people with HIV. All have now agreed to lower drug costs.
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1,700 Hospitals Win Quality Bonuses From Medicare, But Most Will Never Collect
Penalties for readmissions and patient injuries erase bonuses hospitals earn for meeting stiff quality criteria. Fewer than 800 will end up with higher payments.
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California Takes Different Path On Insuring Immigrants Living In U.S. Illegally
Local initiatives offer free care and legislation proposes coverage for all regardless of immigration status. Will other states follow suit?
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Medicaid Pay Hike Opened Doors For Patients, Study Finds
Patients gained access to primary care doctors as a result of the health law’s pay increase, according to the analysis.
