Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Shifts Money From Cancer, Global Health To Pay For Health Insurance Exchange
Some House Republicans question the transfer of funds, but HHS says the shifts are legal and necessary to operate a marketplace, which is relied upon by 37 states.
Health On The Hill: ACA Heads Back To Supreme Court
Justices to decide if subsidies that help millions afford health insurance are available to residents of more than three dozen states.
Fate Of 500,000 North Carolinians Tied To High Court Case
The U.S. Supreme Court hears a challenge Wednesday to the insurance subsidies available through the federal health insurance exchange used by North Carolina residents.
When Health Care Is Far From Home
The biggest barrier to treatment for residents of a tiny town in the mountains of Northern California isn’t insurance coverage– it’s distance.
More Than One In Four Foster Kids Miss Required Checkups
Although children in foster care have often suffered neglect or abuse, 29 percent failed to receive at least one required medical screening, according to an inspector general’s report.
High Costs Of HIV Drugs On Some Illinois Insurance Plans May Be Discriminatory, Say Advocates
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago has warned Coventry, Humana and two other insurers that their pricing of AIDS drugs may violate the health care law’s protections against discrimination.
5 Things To Know About The Supreme Court Case Challenging The Health Law
Millions of Americans might not be able to afford insurance if the Supreme Court rules the government erred in making subsidies available in all states.
Sign-Up Season Is Over, But List Of Special Enrollment Events Is Expanding
A new regulation takes effect in April that expands the circumstances that enable people to sign up or switch health coverage, even though open enrollment officially ended Feb. 15.
Kaiser Permanente Faulted Again For Mental Health Care Lapses In California
Following up on a critical report in 2013, the California Department of Managed Health Care found Kaiser Permanente had not resolved concerns about providing timely and appropriate access to treatment.
Critics: Medicaid Services Ill. Gov. Rauner Would Cut Save Illinois Money
Some legislators and patient advocates say the targeted services, including dental and mental health services, not only help keep people healthy — they save the state money.
Lesser-Known Florida Insurance Exchange Spends $2.4M, Signs Up 50 People
State legislators created Florida Health Choices in 2008 as a voluntary marketplace for Floridians to purchase coverage, but no subsidized policies are offered.
States Add Dental Coverage For Adults On Medicaid But Struggle to Meet Demand
Dentists say they’re reluctant to see Medicaid patients because they’re typically paid about half as much as they get from private patients.
Government To Grade Nursing Homes On Tougher Scale
Nursing homes now will be graded on their use of anti-psychotic drugs and will have to do more to get top ratings on the federal website Nursing Home Compare.
Texas Has High Stakes in Lawsuit Over Health Law
Nearly 1 million Texans who signed up for health insurance through healthcare.gov would be affected if the court invalidates subsidies in federal exchange states – and not just the ones getting subsidies.
Disruptions Mount As Illinois Shifts Medicaid Patients To Managed Care
Medicaid managed care enrollees in Illinois are reporting difficulties seeing their doctors and getting prescriptions filled, which a state Medicaid official attributes to the speed and scope of the changes.
Measles Outbreak Sparks Bid To Strengthen Calif. Vaccine Law
Two California lawmakers have introduced a bill to eliminate a “personal belief exemption” used by parents to sidestep a school vaccination requirement.
More Governors Embrace Medicaid Expansion, But With Changes
Some advocates worry these changes could push Medicaid further away from its original purpose, which was to provide affordable health insurance for the needy.
To Protect His Son, A Father Asks School To Bar Unvaccinated Children
A California child in remission from leukemia cannot be vaccinated because his immune system is rebuilding after chemotherapy. The family, which lives in a school district where 7 percent of the children are not vaccinated under a “personal belief exemption,” is asking school officials to have all kids be vaccinated or stay home from school during the measles outbreak.
California Ranks Last In Spending On Diabetes Prevention, Audit Finds
With one in 12 residents estimated to suffer from diabetes, California spends less on prevention per person than any other state, according to a state audit.
Why Florida Is No. 1 In Obamacare Enrollment Despite GOP Opposition
More Floridians have signed up for private health exchange plans than in any other state thanks to online mapping tools, coordinated outreach efforts and insurers’ involvement — and in spite of Republican opposition.
