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Latest KFF Health News Stories

Who Are The Uninsured? The Feds Parse The Numbers

KFF Health News Original

There are 48.4 million uninsured Americans — about 18 percent of the population — according to the last Census. But who are they? And what is the best way to get them signed up for new health insurance coverage options that roll out this fall? The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has just released […]

From The State Capitals: The ACA At Three

KFF Health News Original

Reporters on the ground in Colorado, Florida and Minnesota discuss the most significant developments to happen in their states since the law’s passage and what future challenges they see ahead.

Some Medical Students Seek A Match For Two

KFF Health News Original

More than 17,000 fourth-year medical students found out where they’ll be completing the final years of their medical education on “Match Day” last Friday. But unlike most of their peers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, John Zampella and Matthew Huddle weren’t focused on where they’ll be doing their medical residency training. Instead, […]

States Tackle Mental Illness and Gun Ownership

KFF Health News Original

Little-noticed but controversial provisions in recently passed gun-control measures in New York have local officials and mental health advocates trying to strike a balance among patient privacy, their rights and public safety.

Poll: Three Years Later, Americans Still Don’t Understand Health Law

KFF Health News Original

It’s been three years since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, yet two-thirds of uninsured adults — the very people the law sets out to help — say they still don’t know what it means for them. Sixty-seven percent of the uninsured younger than age 65 — and 57 percent of […]

Health Law Covers Breast Pumps, But Not All Moms Get The Best

KFF Health News Original

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans are required to give new mothers equipment and services to enable them to breast feed. What the law doesn’t say, however, is what kind of equipment has to be provided.

States Balk At Enforcing Health Law’s Insurance Protections

KFF Health News Original

Florida regulators won’t penalize insurance companies that violate new health law consumer protections that take effect in January but will report them to the federal government, according to an agreement between the state and federal officials. Citing lack of money and legal authority, Pennsylvania’s top insurance regulator hasn’t decided whether his agency can enforce the provisions, […]

29 States Get ‘F’ For Price Transparency Laws

KFF Health News Original

Wonder why you can’t get a straight answer on how much a health care procedure will cost you? One big reason: State laws which allow hospitals and other providers to keep costs hidden until they send you the bill. A report card on price transparency released today gives 29 states an “F” and seven states […]

Matchmaker, Er, Match Week, Make Me A Doc

KFF Health News Original

Fourth-year medical students have been talking a lot about their perfect match these days:  first impressions, the one who called right after they met, some that were too far away. For many, “match week” — this week — is what they’ve been working toward over the past four years. It’s the week that decides if, and […]

Midnight Drama As Minnesota House Passes Exchange Bill

KFF Health News Original

Landmark health insurance legislation is on its way to the Minnesota Senate after the House approved it shortly after midnight on Friday.  The House passed a conference committee’s proposal to reconcile the differences in House and Senate bills enacting a Minnesota health insurance exchange.  The ever-controversial exchange bill had a bumpy ride in the House, as […]

Small Businesses Pursue Health Law ‘Loophole’

KFF Health News Original

Self-insurance, once the purview of only large companies, is becoming popular with small employers, too. But it could be a threat to the Affordable Care Act, since self-insured companies are exempt from many of the health law’s requirements.

Minnesota Exchange Bill Moves Forward Without Abortion Restrictions

KFF Health News Original

UPDATE, 7 a.m. March 15: The Minnesota House approved the conference committee bill in a dramatic midnight vote after hours of heated debate. Elizabeth Stawicki’s report on the vote will be posted shortly.  ST. PAUL, MINN. — Abortion restrictions have been cut from a final version of Minnesota’s health insurance exchange bill that will impact how more […]