Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Health Law Spurs State Shift in Long-Term Care
Many states are taking advantage of a $3 billion health law program meant to help older Americans avoid nursing homes and instead get long-term care in their own homes — something many of them prefer.
Michigan Republicans Rethink Medicaid Expansion
Michigan is one of only a handful of Republican-led states that is expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. It did it by forging a plan that worked for both political parties, business interests, doctors and hospitals.
Miami Children’s Hospital Part Of A Trend: Revealing Some Price Information
Hospital executives will list adjusted charges to more accurately reflect what Miami Children’s collects from insurers, so consumers can estimate their out-of-pocket costs.
Health Law Inspires Hope But Also Worry Among Those With HIV
People with HIV and AIDS can get private insurance, but advocates say that doesn’t guarantee access to high quality care.
Readers Ask: Are Premium Subsidies Permanent; Do I Have To Meet An Asset Test For Medicaid?
KHN’s consumer columnist answers questions about provisions of the health law.
Nonprofit Health Centers Go Into For-Profit Insurance Business
A growing number are starting managed care plans to boost revenue and gain more control over patient care.
Thousands Waiting For Medicaid Coverage Are Stuck In Limbo
State Medicaid programs have not received data on many applicants because of healthcare.gov’s software problems.
Millions Of Lower-Income People Expected To Shift Between Exchanges And Medicaid
“Churning” may cause gaps in coverage and require switching doctors and hospitals.
Are There Enough Doctors For The Newly Insured?
With the health law bringing newly insured consumers as of Jan. 1, experts wonder whether some will have trouble gaining access to timely treatment.
In Los Angeles, there’s a concerted effort to enroll the homeless into Medicaid, as the federal-state health insurance program opens for the first time to all poor adults.
Six Things That May Move Public Perception Of Obamacare
How valuable people find their new health coverage will help shape public opinion of the law going forward.
Medicare Identifies 97 Best And 95 Worst Hospitals For Hip And Knee Replacements
The new analysis is part of the government’s effort to improve the quality of care.
New York Data Show Hospital Charges All Over The Map
Consumers should not assume that facilities provide better care because they charge more, experts say.
Why Some State Health Exchanges Worked
The most successful exchanges kept things simple, amply tested systems
For HIV Patients In Texas, Expanded Coverage Is Elusive
Many people with HIV live below the poverty line and therefore won’t qualify for Obamacare subsidies to buy private insurance, or for Medicaid since Texas officials opted against expanding that program under the law.
In Kansas, A Fight Over Developmentally Disabled Shifting To Medicaid Managed Care
In Kansas, families are worried about three for-profit insurers taking charge of providing all home- and community-based services for 8,500 developmentally disabled people beginning Jan. 1.
Medicaid Expansion To Cover Many Former Prisoners
The Department of Justice estimates former inmates and detainees will comprise about 35 percent of the people who will qualify for Medicaid coverage in the states expanding their programs.
Even Without Expansion, S.C. Will See 16% Jump In Medicaid Enrollment
Officials say publicity for the Affordable Care Act and its requirement that most people get insurance will attract tens of thousands of people who are currently eligible for Medicaid but have not enrolled.
A Reader Asks: Will International Students Be Eligible For Health Law’s Subsidized Coverage?
Anyone who is “lawfully present” in the United States may qualify for premium tax credits to help pay for health insurance.
In Pa., A Big Gap In Health Insurance Coverage
As many as 400,000 Pennsylvanians, most of them low-wage workers, will go without coverage next year because Pennsylvania officials have not opted to take federal money available under the health law to expand Medicaid.
