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Health law enrollment hits approximately 3 million in January

Though this number is shy of earlier projections, it is getting closer to hitting monthly expectations. The administration, though, did not provided data about payment.

25 Jan 2014

Looking ahead: The President's State of the Union address talking points

When President Obama brings up health care during his State of the Union address on Jan. 28, he will make one issue clear (yet) again: He will defend the Affordable Care Act against any and all political attacks this year.

24 Jan 2014

In Calif., Anthem leads in enrollment; Md. Glitches blamed on IBM software

At the halfway mark, industry giant Anthem Blue Cross is holding on to a slim lead among health insurance providers with a 31% share of California's exchange market. The Covered California exchange released enrollment figures Tuesday for its 11 health plans from Oct. 1 to the end of December.

24 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 23, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about a new survey indicating that the nation's uninsured rate dropped modestly this month.

23 Jan 2014

Despite gains, Covered California lags with Latinos

California's health exchange has enrolled more than 625,000 people in private insurance plans, but the state's struggle to reach uninsured Latinos is drawing criticism.

23 Jan 2014

State highlights: R.I. Gov. plans $43M in Medicaid cuts; N.M. judge rules in favor of 'aid to dying'; long-term care protections still awaited in Mass.

A selection of health policy stories from Rhode Island, California, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, Wisconsin, Missouri and Minnesota.

22 Jan 2014

Trials, and a few unexpected triumphs, for insurance exchanges

A procurement document posted on a federal website gives the newest Obamacare contractor until mid-March to build the back end of healthcare.gov, predicting dire consequences if the work is not completed on time. Other media outlets report exchange developments from Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin, Georgia and Minnesota.

22 Jan 2014

Senate clears $1.1 trillion spending bill

The measure, which already passed the House and is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama, will fund the government until Oct. 1. It provides targeted increases for various programs, including biomedical research.

20 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 17, 2014

Today's headlines include reports from Capitol Hill about passage of a $1.1 billion spending bill as well as testimony by an Obama administration official about healthcare.gov

17 Jan 2014

In states opposed to health law, many low-income residents are left out

Politico examines the stark differences in the impact of the Affordable Care Act between Republican-led states fighting it and others that have accepted the health overhaul. Meanwhile, USA Today finds that even with the law, many consumers will face troubling medical debt.

16 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 15, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about the announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services that people who get their health insurance through high-risk insurance pools will have an extra two months before this program ends.

15 Jan 2014

State-specific numbers highlight December enrollment surge

Various news outlets report on the enrollment totals through December -- and some demographic data -- for Alabama, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Georgia, California, Illinois and others.

15 Jan 2014

Insurance sign-ups skew older, spurring cost concerns

Halfway through the six-month enrollment period for private insurance under the health care law, just one in four adult enrollees are between ages 18 and 34, the crucial demographic group whose participation rates are key to keeping monthly premiums affordable.

15 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 13, 2014

Today's headlines include news about how the health law's enrollment process is working and about the federal government's decision not to renew the contract for the company that was overseeing the repairs for healthcare.gov.

13 Jan 2014

Lung cancer incidence rates decrease more rapidly among U.S. men and women

Tobacco control efforts are having a major impact on Americans' health, a new analysis of lung-cancer data suggests. The rate of new lung cancer cases decreased among men and women in the United States from 2005 to 2009, according to a report in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

10 Jan 2014

Calif. extends payment deadline for new insurance plans; Md. gov. to push emergency legislation for exchange woes

Meanwhile, news outlets also report on state health law implementation action in Minnesota, Iowa and Pennsylvania.

7 Jan 2014

Researchers hope to improve treatment, survival rates of ischemic heart disease

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center hope to improve treatment and survival rates of ischemic heart disease patients by providing doctors an unprecedented look at the stents they place in coronary arteries.

6 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 6, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about how the health law fits into the Capitol Hill agenda for the year ahead.

6 Jan 2014

Confusion for people who enrolled in Medicaid on healthcare.gov

Some people who applied early in the open enrollment period may not actually be signed up for the program and may be flummoxed by federal robocalls encouraging them to apply again directly to state agencies. Also, news outlets offer updates from Missouri, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

6 Jan 2014

After bumpy launch, consumers start using health law coverage

Nearly four years after passage of the health law, its major provisions finally took effect Jan. 1 and millions of Americans are about to see how it really works. Media outlets offer tip sheets to consumers and report on the challenges that lie ahead.

2 Jan 2014