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States say federal exchange stalling Medicaid and CHIP applications

CQ HealthBeat is reporting that more than 400,000 people who qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program are waiting for their applications to be sent from the federal insurance exchange website to states for processing.

27 Mar 2014

ISTH declares Oct.13 as World Thrombosis Day

Bringing together nations and local communities to tackle thrombosis, the quiet, underlying disorder that is the common mechanism of the world's three top cardiovascular killers – heart attack, stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE) – the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) today announced that October 13 will be designated World Thrombosis Day, with the inaugural event to be held this year.

25 Mar 2014

Enrollment push is tough in Mississippi

Politico reports on efforts to sign people up for health care as Humana sends a lime green bus through some of the state's poorest areas. Other outlets look at enrollment campaigns in Maine, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon and Colorado.

25 Mar 2014

Virginia business, hospital groups launch ads promoting Medicaid compromise

The radio promotion is trying to drum up support for a private option plan that would help insure thousands of low-income residents. Gov. Terry McAuliffe also is barnstorming around the state seeking to put pressure on Republican lawmakers who are opposed to the expansion of Medicaid.

18 Mar 2014

Officials look for budget fixes for Minnesota's insurance exchange

In Minnesota, a proposed budget indicates that some officials want to spend $12.5 million to continue repairing the marketplace website and call center as well as spend $5 million in grants next year when the exchange is supposed to be self-sufficient.

14 Mar 2014

Health providers may experience information and financial loss during transition to ICD-10-CM

Health providers may experience information and financial loss during the mandated conversion from the current International Classification of Diseases to its new and improved version, report researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

13 Mar 2014

Some states weighing enrollment extension

Several states that are running their own marketplaces and have experienced problems are considering allowing residents more time to sign up for insurance. Also, a number of local news outlets examine their states' enrollment totals released this week by HHS.

13 Mar 2014

ECMO can be used for treating carbon monoxide poisoning

Allison Morgan was in pretty bad shape when the medical helicopter touched down on the rooftop helipad of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.

12 Mar 2014

HHS inspector general to examine Maryland's troubled health exchange

Rep. Andy Harris, the state's only Republican member of Congress, requested the investigation even as lawmakers from both parties -- who have used the difficulties of the online insurance marketplace in the run up to this year's gubernatorial election -- say they welcome the review.

12 Mar 2014

Obama administration announces new round of health law rule changes

Among the wide-ranging set of changes, the one drawing the most attention is the administration's decision to allow some consumers to keep health coverage into 2017 that does not comply with the overhaul's minimum standards.

6 Mar 2014

First Edition: March 6, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about health law rule changes announced yesterday by the Obama administration.

6 Mar 2014

3.5 million estimated Medicaid signups under health law

Avalere Health projects that of the 8.9 million people "determined eligible" for Medicaid starting last Oct. 1, the number of new enrollees under the health law is likely much smaller -- between 2.4 million and 3.5 million. Other reports look at how health insurance could result in nearly half a million more Americans getting tested for HIV by 2017 -- but how 60,000 people with the virus will be left uninsured in states not expanding Medicaid.

5 Mar 2014

First Edition: March 4, 2014

Today's headlines include highlights and themes from President Barack Obama's 2015 budget to be released today.

4 Mar 2014

Insurers gather new customers' health information -- a critical step in calculating prices for next year's plans offered on exchanges

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that chronically ill consumers who obtain coverage from the online insurance marketplaces may still face high drug costs despite the health law's ban on discriminatory insurance practices. Also, news outlets report on Time magazine's cover story that details how the Obama administration almost shutdown healthcare.gov during its early, fitful days.

3 Mar 2014

Study establishes innovative approaches to improve vision of young children with brain tumor

Robert Avery, DO, MSCE, of Children's National Health System and colleagues are establishing innovative approaches with technology and medication to improve the vision of young children who have visual pathway glioma, a type of brain tumor.

3 Mar 2014

Maryland exchange can't tell whether Medicaid enrollees are still eligible

The state is unable to determine whether current enrollees continue to qualify for the state-federal program for the poor as a result of a glitch which officials estimate could cost $30.5 million over two years.

3 Mar 2014

First Edition: February 28, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about the latest developments for those states that are running their own health insurance exchanges and facing difficulties.

28 Feb 2014

Cedars-Sinai neurosurgeon successfully performs CSF repair surgery on patient

When Elizabeth "Beth" Johnson stood up from working at her computer Oct. 28, she noticed "a kind of funny feeling" in the back of her neck. By Nov. 2, the sensation had become an excruciating headache that came on whenever she tried to stand or sit upright.

28 Feb 2014

Maryland's health exchange goals revised after research error

The initial goal was reportedly based on flawed data and the newly set milepost has already been met. Still, The Baltimore Sun reports that the state has halted work on its small business marketplace, and that Maryland will charge for work related to public information requests about what went wrong with the website.

25 Feb 2014

California health insurance sign-ups continue to soar -- Latino enrollment viewed as critical

Covered California has almost reached its enrollment goal for March 31, according to numbers released Wednesday. Still, the state plans to spend millions on Spanish-language advertising in the weeks remaining before the open enrollment period ends next month.

21 Feb 2014