Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hundreds Of Hospitals Struggle To Improve Patient Satisfaction
Pleasing patients has become more important to hospitals as Medicare takes consumers views into account when setting payments. Most hospitals are getting better, but others have not improved since the government started publishing ratings six years ago.
The Boss May Be Able To Force You To Buy Company Insurance
Employment experts say firms can require workers to take the coverage that is offered.
Obamacare, Private Medicare Plans Must Keep Updated Doctor Directories In 2016
New federal rules requiring current information apply to insurers selling plans on healthcare.gov and the private policies that are an alternative to Medicare.
Slightly More Latinos and African Americans Sign Up On California Exchange
About 37 percent of subsidized Covered California enrollees are Latino, up six points compared with last year, and about 4 percent are African American, up one point.
Surprises And Standing: Breaking Down Today’s Supreme Court Arguments
Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case challenging some of the health law’s insurance subsidies, but not before considering whether the plaintiffs had standing in the case. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Julie Rovner discuss surprises from the hearing.
Health Law Arguments Offer Few Clues About Supreme Court Decision
After hearing arguments Wednesday from both sides of a case challenging the health law’s subsidies to help people buy health coverage on federal exchanges, Supreme Court justices offered little insight into how they will rule.
Justices Raise Questions About Federal-State Balance, Plaintiffs’ Standing
Oral arguments in King v. Burwell, the challenge to the health law’s insurance subsidies, were completed this morning.
No Medicaid Expansion? No Problem For Many Safety-Net Hospital Profits
In some of the largest states that did not expand Medicaid, many safety-net hospitals turned in strong performances in 2014, according to financial documents.
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.
What’s At Stake As Health Law Lands At Supreme Court Again
With a $400 tax credit, Julia Raye of North Carolina has been able to afford health insurance and keep her diabetes under control. She is one of 8.2 million people who could lose that subsidy in a case that goes before the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday.
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.
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.
HHS Secretary Burwell Is Grilled About Health Law Contingency Plans
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell says her agency would be unable to counter the damage of a Supreme Court decision striking subsidies in about three dozen states.
For Many Middle-Class Taxpayers On Obamacare, It’s Payback Time
Hundreds of thousands of people who received subsidies under the Affordable Care Act may have underestimated their incomes in 2014 – drawing more assistance than they were entitled to. Now many owe the government money.
Supreme Court Insurance Subsidies Decision Could Trigger Price Spikes
A Supreme Court decision invalidating subsidies in 37 federal exchange states would lead to sharp premium increases and prompt many to drop coverage, say experts.
May I Move My Son From My Insurance Plan To A Better Option On The Marketplace?
KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers readers’ questions about enrolling at this point in marketplace plans, CHIP enrollment and Medicare disability.
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.
Few Seniors Benefiting From Medicare Obesity Counseling
A little known part of Obamacare pays primary care doctors to help overweight seniors drop pounds and improve their health. So why aren’t more seniors taking advantage of the free benefit?
