National politics

50,000 Kansans sign up for insurance in federal exchange
Associated Press
December 20, 2015
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says about 50,000 people in Kansas had signed up through the federal health insurance exchange as of Dec. 12.
Five things young adults should know about buying health insurance
By Lisa Gillespie, Kaiser Health News
December 8, 2015
Imagine what you could do with $2,000. If you’re between 18 and 34, you might travel somewhere fun. Maybe buy a big TV. But would you buy health insurance? Take it from another millennial: Think about insurance if you don’t have any.
Penalties set to encourage uninsured to find health coverage
Janice Early, Lawrence Memorial Hospital
December 8, 2015
The deadline for Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment for coverage to be effective Jan. 1 is just a week away. And the federal tax penalties for not having coverage for 2016 are the highest yet, which by design are meant to encourage eligible uninsured to enroll.
Navigators helping Kansans with health care enrollment before Dec. 15 deadline
Bryan Thompson, Kansas Health Institute
December 1, 2015
Since enrollment opened Nov. 1 for 2016 health insurance in the federal marketplace, an effort called Cover Kansas has branched out across the state to help Kansans find a plan that best suits their needs.
Federal officials urge consumers to shop around for 2016 health plan
By Peter Hancock
October 28, 2015
Open enrollment on the federal health insurance exchange markets opens Sunday, Nov. 1. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says consumers who shop carefully may be able to find substantial savings next year, despite overall price increases in the market.
Kansas congressional delegation responds to House Speaker Boehner’s resignation
By Peter Hancock
01:51 p.m., September 25, 2015 Updated 05:51 p.m.
Two members of the Kansas congressional delegation have a lot at stake in House Speaker John Boehner’s decision to resign. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, of Topeka, has been part of the Republican leadership team under Boehner, while Rep. Tim Huelskamp, of western Kansas, has been part of the conservative rebels who helped drive Boehner from office. By Peter Hancock
Judge sides with anti-abortion group in birth control case
Associated Press
September 1, 2015
A federal judge on Monday sided with an anti-abortion group in its challenge of a key birth control provision of the Obama administration’s health care overhaul.
Former Congressman Jim Slattery urges passage of Iran nuclear arms deal
By Peter Hancock
August 31, 2015
Former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery returned to his alma mater of Washburn University on Monday to speak about why he supports a proposed deal aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Slattery, a Democrat, is now an attorney in private practice in Washington, D.C., and has made several trips to the Middle East to discuss U.S.-Iranian relations. By Peter Hancock
Jenkins: Leave prisoners in Guantanamo
By Peter Hancock
August 27, 2015
Republican Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins said that prisoners being held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should stay there indefinitely, and she strongly opposes any plans to transfer them to military prisons in Kansas or South Carolina. Jenkins was in Lawrence Thursday to meet with area small business owners. By Peter Hancock
Tribes push to end Affordable Care Act coverage requirement
Associated Press
July 19, 2015
Representatives of several American Indian tribes say they support legislation introduced by congressional Republicans this week that would exempt tribes nationwide from being classified as large employers under the federal Affordable Care Act — a designation that requires tribes to pay higher insurance costs or face federal penalties.
Kansas congressional staffer sentenced for child sex charges
Associated Press
July 19, 2015
A former staffer for U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp has been sentenced to 12 months in prison in a Kansas child- sex case.
Kobach urges Congress to ratify health care compact that he says would avoid Obamacare
By Peter Hancock
04:07 p.m., July 13, 2015 Updated 04:26 p.m.
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is urging Congress to ratify a multistate health care compact that he says would allow member states to exempt themselves from the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Kobach also says the U.S. Supreme Court got it wrong when it twice upheld the constitutionality of the federal health care law. By Peter Hancock
New birth control rule for employers with religious qualms
Associated Press
July 13, 2015
Hoping to put to rest one of the most difficult disputes over its health care law, the Obama administration Friday unveiled its latest plan to address employers’ religious objections to providing free birth control for their female workers.
Medicare to cover end-of-life counseling
Associated Press
July 8, 2015
Medicare said Wednesday it plans to pay doctors to counsel patients about end-of-life care, the same idea that sparked accusations of “death panels” and fanned a political furor around President Barack Obama’s health care law six years ago.
Local patients, health care providers relieved by Obamacare ruling; GOP vows to keep fighting
By Peter Hancock
June 25, 2015
Thursday’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court means that nearly 5,000 people in Douglas County who have bought subsidized health insurance policies through the Affordable Care Act will get to keep their coverage. That was welcome news for those policyholders, as well as for local health care providers who treat those patients. But Republican politicians who oppose the health care law, also known as Obamacare, say they’ll continue their fight to repeal or change the law. By Peter Hancock

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