Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Sebelius Signal To States: Don’t Roll Back Medicaid Eligibility
In letter to governors, HHS Secretary Sebelius urges states to “take advantage of unusually generous” Medicaid expansion deal.
Court Ruling Triggers Tax Debate On Capitol Hill
Jackie Judd talks to KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey about Tuesday’s House Ways and Means Committee session on the individual mandate and congressional taxing authority. They also preview Wednesday’s House vote to repeal the health law.
Court Ruling Doesn’t Quell Partisan Feelings On Health Law
A new Kaiser Family Foundation poll done immediately after Thursday’s ruling shows the public remains split on the law along party lines.
Health Law Deadlines Under Pressure
The Supreme Court ruling shifts the focus to states. But between 20 and 40 may be unable to set up new online insurance markets by fall 2013.
Hospitals Celebrate Decision, But Threats Remain
The decision to let states opt out of the Medicaid expansion means hospitals serving the poor could still be stuck with unpaid care.
Political Leaders Sound Off On Health Law Decision With Speeches
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker John Boehner, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Obama react to Thursday’s Supreme Court decision on the health law with speeches.
What Will The States Do On Medicaid?
The Supreme Court said the federal health law cannot force states to participate in the planned expansion of Medicaid. But since the federal government was paying the bulk of the bill, will states really forego the option?
Ruling Puts Pressure On States To Act
The Supreme Court Thursday gave states the option to skip the Medicaid expansion, but the pressure of accepting millions in new federal dollars to pay for coverage for low-income people may be too great.
Justices Uphold Individual Mandate, Set Limits On Medicaid Expansion
The ruling on Medicaid creates a new arena for political battles in the 26 states that sued to overturn the law. Within hours of the decision, Republican officials in several states said they were likely to oppose expanding the program.
Court’s Dissenters Argue That ‘Entire Statute Is Inoperative’
Four conservative justices write that the majority “regards its strained statutory interpretation as judicial modesty. It is not.”
Roberts Says Law’s Offer To States On Medicaid ‘Is A Gun To The Head’
The chief justice also says that the court “does not express any opinion on the wisdom of the Affordable Care Act. Under the Constitution, that judgment is re-served to the people.”
Obama: Health Law Decision A ‘Victory For People All Over This Country’
President Obama said the Supreme Court’s landmark decision Thursday to uphold the health care reform law was a victory for all Americans who will now be more secure because of it.
Video: Making Sense Of The Supreme Court Ruling
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey, Stuart Taylor and Julie Appleby are joined by SCOTUSblog’s Tom Goldstein and Lyle Denniston to break down Thursday’s landmark Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the health law.
New Rules Will Ban ER Debt Collections At Charitable Hospitals
On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department released new proposed rules to protect patients from abusive debt collection practices at nonprofit hospitals.
Dropping Legal Barriers Doesn’t Guarantee Interstate Insurance Sales
In Georgia, health insurers licensed in the state can soon sell policies there that they sell in other states, but so far, no company has taken the state up on its offer.
Q&A: Preventive Benefits And ‘Grandfathered’ Health Plans
KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” columnist Michelle Andrews answers a question from a reader about “grandfathered” health plans, which don’t need to comply with new rules about benefits for preventive care — but only in the near term.
Questions Abound About The Pocketbook Effect Of A Court Decision
Consumers, states and the federal government have much to win — or lose — depending on how the court rules.
New Consumer Protections Depend On High Court’s Ruling
Provisions to protect those with pre-existing illnesses and subject insurers to greater scrutiny are at risk if the law is struck.
Court Challenge Could Result In Medicaid Cutbacks Instead Of Expansion
Under the health law, Medicaid will grow to cover every American with a household income below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. A ruling against the expansion — or the entire law
