Latest Morning Briefing Stories

Hello? It’s I, Robot, And Have I Got An Insurance Plan For You!

KFF Health News Original

An “epidemic” of robocalls timed to open-enrollment season are largely illegal, fraudulent or aim to rope you into insurance you don’t need or can’t use. They’re also really annoying.

The Election’s Impact On Health Care: Some Bellwether Races To Watch

KFF Health News Original

A number of health issues — from preexisting conditions to Medicaid expansion to changes to Medicare — could be at stake when voters head to the polls Tuesday.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Open Enrollment And A Midterm Preview

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Joanne Kenen of Politico discuss the start of open enrollment for individual health insurance plans for 2019 and preview what next week’s midterm elections might mean for health policy. Plus, Barbara Feder Ostrov of KHN and California Healthline talks to Julie about the latest NPR-KHN “Bill of the Month” feature.

In Swing Districts, Republicans May Pay For Having Tried To Reverse The Health Law

KFF Health News Original

Though Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) counts himself a moderate, many of his voters heading to the polls are furious about how he aided his party’s efforts to dismantle Obamacare.

With One Hand, Administration Boosts ACA Marketplaces, Weakens Them With Another

KFF Health News Original

The Trump administration gives states more flexibility to get around the health law’s requirements for insurance plans. But at the same time it wants employers to move millions of workers to the insurance exchanges.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Trump, GOP Fight Back On Health Care

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner and Alice Ollstein of Politico discuss a flurry of proposals from the Trump administration on prices Medicare pays for drugs and the Affordable Care Act.

Gavin Newsom Is Bullish On Single-Payer — Except When He’s Not

KFF Health News Original

The front-runner in the California governor’s race, known for his political audacity, has officially endorsed the controversial move to create one public insurance program for all Californians. Yet he also faces formidable challenges, and liberal critics fear he’ll retreat.

Marketplace Subsidies May Be Option In 2020 For Plans That Skirt Obamacare

KFF Health News Original

The new guidance allows states to ask for waivers from provisions in the Affordable Care Act governing not only subsidies, but also the benefits insurers must offer in all their plans.

Politicians Hop Aboard ‘Medicare-For-All’ Train, Destination Unknown

KFF Health News Original

Candidates are charging toward midterm elections on a platform of single-payer and universal coverage rhetoric. Yet “Medicare-for-all” and single-payer mean different things to different people.

Planes privados de Medicaid reciben millones, pero… ¿quién supervisa el negocio?

KFF Health News Original

Las aseguradoras contratistas de Medicaid, que ofrecen servicios llamados de atención administrada, están en el banquillo: expertos cuestionan los servicios que ofrecen.

As Billions In Tax Dollars Flow To Private Medicaid Plans, Who’s Minding The Store?

KFF Health News Original

Insurance companies profit from government contracts but are subject to little oversight of how they spend the money or care for patients. The expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act has only exacerbated the problem.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Republicans’ Preexisting Political Problem

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Joanne Kenen of Politico discuss how protections for people with preexisting conditions have become a top issue in the elections, Trump administration efforts to make prescription drug prices more public and the start of Medicare’s annual open-enrollment period. Plus, Rovner interviews California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

Health Care Tops Guns, Economy As Voters’ Top Issue

KFF Health News Original

Nearly three-quarters of voters say that health care is the most important issue for them, but fewer than half are hearing much from candidates about it, according to a poll released by the Kaiser Family Foundation.