Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Labor Dept. Mandates Minimum Wage, Overtime Pay For Home Health Workers
The Obama administration had been trying for almost two years to extend overtime and minimum wage protections to the workers. The rule doesn’t take effect until 2015.
Pa. Governor Proposes Private Sector-Driven Medicaid Expansion
The broad framework of Gov. Corbett’s proposal is similar to plans advanced by Arkansas and Iowa, neither of which has been approved by the federal government.
States Balk At Terminating Medicaid Contracts Even When There’s Fraud Or Poor Patient Care
Officials won’t use “nuclear option” for fear of disrupting services to patients.
Long-Term Care Panel Releases Recommendations But Fails To Offer Plan To Help Pay For Services
The group tackles wide-ranging list of concerns, but the lack of a financing plan raises strong objections from some members.
Local Uninsured Programs Face Uncertain Times As Obamacare Ramps Up
Some enrollees will have to pay more for coverage in new exchanges, while others may lose out in states that do not expand Medicaid.
Pennsylvania Governor Weighing Medicaid Expansion If Tied To Changes
Corbett’s spokeswoman indicates he might support the health law’s expansion if he could make alterations to how the existing program works.
‘A Calling’ To Care For The Poor At St. Louis’ Grace Hill Community Centers
Some of the funding for Grace Hill and smaller community health centers in St. Louis may be in jeopardy, even as the number of people seeking discounted care or free is increasing in a state that will not expand Medicaid under the health law.
Missouri’s Poorest Residents Won’t Benefit From Obamacare
In a twist that wasn’t intended by the authors of the federal Affordable Care Act, most of Missouri’s poorest, working-age residents won’t be eligible for government help because state lawmakers opted against expanding Medicaid.
Kids With Costly Medical Issues Get Help, But Not Enough
More than 2 million kids in the US are born with multiple chronic illnesses that often require frequent trips to the hospital, and the number of medically complex kids is growing about 6 percent a year. Medicaid usually steps in to help pay, but that can create logistical problems for families.
Amid Health Law Expansion, Some States Trim Medicaid Rolls
Maine, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Vermont are tightening eligibility requirements to shift some residents receiving Medicaid benefits into the online insurance marketplaces created by the health law.
Obamacare Presents Complex Choices For People With Disabilities
Some categories of essential benefits under the health law, like maternity care and preventive care, are straightforward. But “habilitative services” — including treatments like physical and speech therapy — are much more subjective.
In States That Don’t Expand Medicaid, Some Of The Uninsured May Still Get Help
Some could get help buying private coverage by projecting their future incomes to exceed the federal poverty level.
Connecticut Department of Social Services’ Dawn Lambert discusses the state’s efforts to address residents’ long-term care needs while minimizing the strain on the state’s Medicaid budget.
How The Other Washington May Hold The Key To The Medicare Cost Crisis
Washington state saves money by ending insurance coverage for medical procedures that are unsafe, unproven or cost too much. Why can’t Medicare do the same?
Obamacare Canvassers Seek Out Florida’s Uninsured
Enroll America volunteers use census data and telephone surveys to identify people without coverage but finding them can still be challenging.
Letters to the Editor is a periodic KHN feature. We welcome all comments and will publish a selection.
Medicaid Coverage Limits Access To Medications For Painkiller Addicts
Patients face severe limitations on the amount and duration of medicines they take to fight addiction to pain pills.
Texas Health Care Providers Bracing for Medicaid Enrollment
The Lone Star State is not expanding its Medicaid program, but enrollment is still expected to surge as families seek coverage to comply with the individual insurance mandate.
Kentucky’s Rush Into Medicaid Managed Care: A Cautionary Tale For Other States
Doctors, hospitals, patients and their advocates complained about disruptions in care and payments after Kentucky moved more than half a million people on Medicaid into private plans.
How Oregon Is Getting ‘Frequent Flyers’ Out Of Hospital ERs
The state is trying to reduce health care costs by encouraging those who constantly turn up at the ER to get their health care from regular doctors instead.
