Week In Review: State Budgets Get Reprieve From Feds; Health Reform Politics On The Homefront
Party politics were obvious this week as House Democrats approved $16 billion in additional federal Medicaid funds for states.
The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
2,981-3,000 of 3,607 results
Party politics were obvious this week as House Democrats approved $16 billion in additional federal Medicaid funds for states.
The new health overhaul law aims to end all annual dollar limits on health insurance policies by 2014, but insurers that offer limited-benefit plans can seek waivers so they can continue to offer them. Many employers want to keep the plans, criticized by consumer advocates as skimpy.
President Obama has signed legislation into law that will give states an additional $16 billion in Medicaid funding. As House members left the Capitol to resume their August recess, some predicted that town hall meetings in their districts would focus more on job and the economy than health care, a change from the town halls of last August where health care was often a combative issue.
For the 11 million people signed up for private Medicare Advantage plans, their future with the popular program that has been designated for cuts in federal funding may depend on where they live.
This week, Democrats grab an unexpected success in extending enhanced Medicaid funding. Meanwhile, Medicare's trustees offer a positive view for the program's future but Missouri voters reject the new health law's individual mandate.
The new health care reform law will extend the solvency of Medicare's main hospital insurance program by 12 years, according to a new government report.
Some say money employers save on health insurance in the health law will eventually mean more money for Social Security instead of more money for workers.
Legislative and legal action surrounding the new health overhaul continue in Virginia and Missouri. Panelists also discuss the U.S. Senate vote on extra money for state Medicaid programs.
The first big legal test of the constitutionality of the "individual mandate" that requires just about everyone in the U.S. to have health insurance starting in 2014 is going to get out of the starting gate.
This week, HHS issued rules on high-risk health insurance pools as well as guidance on children's coverage issues. Two new polls focused on seniors and health reform, and both political parties continued to position themselves for the fall elections.
During the health reform debate, people with pre-existing conditions lobbied for affordable health insurance. Now, HHS has issued new rules on how high-risk pools will work.
The Congressional Budget Office's latest projections again make it clear that the nation is rushing headlong toward a fiscal crisis, and the health law does nothing to head it off.
A lot has changed since last summer's town hall meetings. A new poll finds that, in the last month, the percentage of people viewing the health law unfavorably has fallen. But seniors continue to be more negative.
Deficit and debt drive cuts in jobs and services
A look at the new health law's long-term-care program and the plan to close the Medicare drug doughnut hole.
This week's health policy news was marked by new administration rules regarding the appeals process for denied health insurance claims and continuing state-level efforts to implement high risk pools.
The Obama administration issues regulations that will set some minimum requirements for the process, including allowing patients to appeal the insurer's decision to an independent outside panel.
Evidence shows the requirement for state residents to buy health insurance is working in Massachusetts -- and we should it expect it to work in the new health overhaul as well.
© 2026 KFF