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Viewpoints: Who is responsible for mentally-ill shooters?; privatizing VA floated to fix problems

Mass killers like Elliot Rodger teach society all the wrong lessons about the connection between violence, mental illness and guns - and what we should do about it.

29 May 2014

First Edition: May 29, 2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including articles on an inspector general's report on care at VA hospitals and growing pressure from some House Republicans to vote on an alternative to the Affordable Care Act.

29 May 2014

Insurers, employers trimming costs, consumers paying more

News outlets cover how companies are puzzling through the increasing costs of health care. Insurers are changing how they pay for cancer care, aiming to blunt soaring costs and push oncologists to adhere to standardized treatment guidelines.

29 May 2014

Ohio informs state veterans on Medicaid about the option of VA care

Some states have saved money by shifting veterans to the federally funded VA health system.

29 May 2014

Georgia disputes reports of big Medicaid enrollment jump

According to the state's Department of Community Health, the increase in enrollment was about 37,000, significantly lower than the nearly 99,000 estimated by a consulting group earlier this year.

29 May 2014

First Edition: May 28, 2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about efforts to cut back spending on cancer care and the ouster of a key Army hospital administrator.

28 May 2014

State highlights: Calif. tables immigrant health care bill; new La. hospital financing plan; Calif. insurance commissioner powers

Nearly 200 proposals were shelved in the Legislature on Friday, including controversial measures that would have provided health care coverage to people in the country illegally, imposed a tax on oil drilled from the ground and created a voluntary substance-abuse counseling program for doctors (McGreevy and Mason, 5/23).

28 May 2014

Sen. Mcconnell says fate of Ky. exchange not tied to health law

Meanwhile, Democrats are also trying to cope with the issue of health care this election season. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but he would not say Friday what that would mean for the 413,000 Kentuckians who have health insurance through the state's health care exchange.

28 May 2014

Some hospital systems scaling back charity care

Several hospital systems around the country are scaling back assistance for lower-income patients who lack health coverage, The New York Times reports. Meanwhile, some safety-net hospitals report that the number of uninsured patients they serve is decreasing because of the health law.

28 May 2014

Medicaid 'woodwork effect' spurs state budget concerns

Many of those eligible for Medicaid before passage of the health law but not enrolled have signed up as a result of the publicity about getting insured, adding to states' costs.

28 May 2014

Health law costs embroil union negotiations

Costs associated with the health law are snarling contract negotiations around the country and causing problems for the infamous farm workers union health plan.

28 May 2014

First Edition: May 27, 2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the health law's effect on unions and hospitals and a new IRS ruling designed to keep employers from dumping workers onto the law's online marketplaces.

27 May 2014

Under health law, some hospitals cutting charity care

Several hospital systems around the country are scaling back assistance for lower income patients who lack health care, The New York Times reports. Meanwhile, some safety-net hospitals say they are already seeing fewer uninsured patients because of the coverage expansion in the health law.

26 May 2014

Viewpoints: It's past time to move on VA's problems; administration should report new health law numbers

When America sends men and women to fight, it owes them an enduring debt, starting with competent and timely health care and disability benefits when they leave active duty. President Obama expressed outrage on Wednesday at recent charges of wrongdoing in the Department of Veterans Affairs' health care system.

23 May 2014

California clinics brace for the health law's new patients

New research in California examined the readiness of Los Angeles clinics for the onslaught of people with new health insurance. Another study seeks to calculate the Medi-Cal costs of providing care to immigrants who are in the United States illegally.

23 May 2014

Oregon Gov. releases subpoenas probing failed exchange

Grand jury subpoenas issued by federal investigators last week and released Tuesday by Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber demand all records, including email correspondence related to the application or receipt of federal funds for building the state's failed website.

23 May 2014