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Loyola opens Sexual Wellness Clinic in September

Loyola University Health System will open a Sexual Wellness Clinic in September. This program will combine the expertise of various specialists to address common emotional and physical challenges that couples face in their sexual relationships.

19 Aug 2013

State highlights: Pushback by Penn State employees; medical cuts loom; getting nursing care at home

A selection of health policy stories from California, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

17 Aug 2013

HHS awards $67 million in 'Navigator' grants to groups to help consumers with the health law

The grants are part of the health law's outreach and assistance efforts, viewed as linchpins to the law's success.

17 Aug 2013

Sebelius on making the health law work

Key to achieving that goal, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said, are navigators who will help educate the public about the health law's options.

17 Aug 2013

Anticipation leads to questions -- will the health exchanges work?

McClatchy asks the central question: "Will it be smooth sailing or a 'train wreck'?" Meanwhile, other news outlets report on issues such as how experts view the possibility of rate shock when consumers shop for coverage from these online marketplaces, as well as other related developments in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Georgia, Ohio and Colorado.

16 Aug 2013

Tax credits: How much should health exchange shoppers expect?

A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation concludes that about half of the consumers who currently buy their own health insurance would qualify for federal subsidies to purchase coverage on the new online marketplaces.

16 Aug 2013

Mulling the pros and cons of a govt. shutdown

Congressioinal Republicans are at odds about whether they should try to block all funding for the health law's implementation -- even if it triggers a government shutdown. Some say it wouldn't work anyway and might bring with it a high political cost. But a new poll shows blame would likely be split evenly between Democrats and the GOP.

16 Aug 2013

Talking up the health law to educate consumers

News outlets report that a variety of health law advocates -- ranging from federal, state and local officials to retirees and grassroots volunteers -- are hitting the streets and knocking on doors to inform people about the law and counter what some say is "misinformation."

16 Aug 2013

The countdown's on to opening day, but enrollment challenges persist

Stateline reports on the advocacy group Enroll America's plan to focus on 10 states as it tries to get the uninsured enrolled in plans offered on the new online insurance marketplaces. Meanwhile, the Senate's top Republican, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is asking the administration to delay the exchanges because of data security concerns.

14 Aug 2013

State health insurance marketplaces progress with fits and starts

The Washington Post reports on tools that will be available to residents in D.C., Maryland and Virginia to help them get up to speed on the health law, and The Associated Press details how some insurers are opening retail stores to help educate potential consumers about the health law. Other news outlets report on the latest developments in Georgia, Oregon, California, Idaho, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Minnesota.

13 Aug 2013

First Edition: Aug. 12, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about state action on the health law's implementation and other news from the health insurance marketplace.

12 Aug 2013

'Looming questions' remain about technology for marketplaces

But HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and CMS director Marilyn Tavenner say the exchanges will be ready to operate on Oct. 1.

12 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 9, 2013

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including Kathleen Sebelius' outreach to Texans and a look at Americans' comprehension of health insurance.

9 Aug 2013

12 insurers sign contracts for California exchange - but one plan opts out

Reports also detail how health exchanges are taking shape in Maryland, Wisconsin, Oregon, Iowa, D.C. and Connecticut.

9 Aug 2013

IG report: Security testing for Obamacare data hub behind schedule

News outlets report that a May review of the implementation of the health insurance exchange data hub found the contractor paid to develop security features is months behind on testing them. The Department of Health and Human Services responded that the review was several months ago, "and significant progress has been made since then."

8 Aug 2013

Some states say they won't enforce the health law's insurance reforms

Six states have taken this position, according to the Texas Tribune. Meanwhile, media outlets report on new developments regarding state activity on the health law's Medicaid expansion and health exchanges.

8 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 7, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how deadlines have been missed regarding tests for the health cxchange privacy system.

7 Aug 2013

Sebelius disputes 'rate shock,' assures exchanges' readiness

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a call with reporters yesterday that the agency is "on target" to open new online marketplaces Oct. 1. She also spoke about personal "Obamacare" accounts which consumers can begin creating now in advance of being able to shop for plans.

7 Aug 2013

Hospitals to face more severe penalties for patients' readmissions

News coverage continues regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' hospital readmissions reduction program with details of a final rule released Friday and a local look at how hospitals are faring in Georgia and Missouri.

7 Aug 2013

TGen receives $20,000 grant from ACF for STEM education

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) received another boost today for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education with a $20,000 grant from the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF).

7 Aug 2013