Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
From Â鶹ŮÓÅ Health News - Latest Stories:
Â鶹ŮÓÅ Health News Original Stories
More Plans Setting Spending Limits For Some Medical Services
Insurers cap how much they will pay for certain routine procedures, such as knee replacements and lab tests, and if patients opt for an in-network facility that charges more, they must pick up the extra cost.
Uninsured Still Know Little About Health Law As 2nd Enrollment Period Draws Near
Almost nine of 10 uninsured Americans – the group most likely to benefit — don’t know that the law’s second open enrollment period begins Nov. 15, according to a poll released Tuesday.
Summaries Of The News:
Health Law
Kasich Retreats From Politically Charged Health Law Comments
After telling the Associated Press that he didn't think a repeal of the health law was going to happen, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, took aggressive steps to attempt to correct the record. His statement, he said, was meant only about attempts to repeal the Medicaid expansion, which Ohio has implemented.
ACA Knowledge Gap Greatest Among Uninsured
Most of the uninsured know little about the online insurance marketplaces, or that financial help is available for those with low incomes, finds a poll. Meanwhile, a West Virginia Medicaid official says new enrollees "come in with baggage," such as a history of using free drug samples that aren't covered by the program and The Washington Post looks at continuing legal challenges to the law.
Medicaid Expansion, Health Exchanges Dominate Gubernatorial Debates
In Georgia, where a runoff is considered likely, Gov. Nathan Deal went on the offensive and criticized a third-party candidate's support for expanding Medicaid. In Maryland, Republican candidate Larry Hogan slammed Democratic Lt. Governor Anthony Brown for his role in the state's troubled health exchange launch.
Capitol Watch
Medicare, Health Care Getting Attention In Senate, Congressional Races
In Louisiana's Senate race, Medicare is grabbing the spotlight. The powerful issue is also popping up in North Carolina and Iowa. Meanwhile, Michigan's Senate race references to Medicare and the health law are checked for accuracy. And Obamacare is the subject of ads in an increasingly high-profile California House contest.
Marketplace
Few California Inmates With Hepatitis C Get Costly Sovaldi
The drug is being given to fewer than 1 percent of the 17,000 inmates with the virus in California prisons, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Meanwhile, a Senate Democrat plans a hearing on how VA hospitals are coping with its high cost.
Quality
Just In Time For Open Enrollment, A New Physician Rating Site
USA Today reports that the website uses about 500 million federal and private claims and patient reviews to rank doctors. Meanwhile, the failure of the $30 billion federal program to create interoperable electronic health record systems is examined by Politico.
Hill Republicans Refine Their Strategy On Foreign Travelers As CDC Tightens Ebola Guidelines
The GOP is now pressing to suspend visas for some travelers since the administration has so far rejected calls for a flight ban. Also Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention beefed-up its guidelines to protect health care workers.
State Watch
State Highlights: Calif. Ballot Measure Updates; Va. Prison Health Care Budget Shortfall
A selection of health policy stories from California, Arizona, Maine, South Dakota, Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas, Washington state and Missouri.
Editorials And Opinions
Views On Ebola: America Needs To 'Calm Down'; Political Criticism Is Off Base
News outlets offer a variety of perspectives on the response to Ebola.
Viewpoints: Health Care Opponent's Legal Strategy; The Challenge For This Open Enrollment
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.