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Survey: Most Americans favor health law's birth control coverage mandate

Though this health law provision continues to be controversial and is the subject of various legal challenges, a recent survey conducted by University of Michigan researchers found that 69 percent of Americans support the requirement.

25 Apr 2014

First Edition: April 24, 2014

Today's headlines include a number of reports about how the health law is playing in midterm election campaigns.

25 Apr 2014

Lawsuit challenging health law subsidies gains backing of 38 GOP lawmakers

The challenge, brought by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., targets the rule allowing the federal government to pay part of the health insurance premiums for lawmakers and some staffers.

25 Apr 2014

Four insurers enroll nearly 95% of California sign-ups

Nonetheless, experts say California's online marketplace increased competition in the state's individual market. Meanwhile, lower-than-expected enrollment in Oregon creates budget issues, and a Democratic congresswoman from Arizona calls on the administration to extend the enrollment deadline past April 15.

25 Apr 2014

First Edition: April 23, 2014

Today's headlines include a range of health policy news reports, including developments related to the health law, to the marketplace and at the state level.

23 Apr 2014

7 in 10 Americans support mandated coverage of birth control medications, shows survey

Nearly 7 in 10 Americans support mandated coverage of birth control medications, according to a new national survey by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System.

23 Apr 2014

Inconsistent insurance coverage limits healthcare availability for young adults

Perhaps due to lack of or inconsistent insurance coverage, young adults age 18 to 25 tend to go to the doctor's office less often than children or adolescents, yet have higher rates of emergency room use, finds a study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

23 Apr 2014

Viewpoints: The case against Jenny Mccarthy's vaccine stand; apathy on HIV; defeating Alzheimer's

What do you call someone who sows misinformation, stokes fear, abets behavior that endangers people's health, extracts enormous visibility from doing so and then says the equivalent of "Who? Me?" I'm not aware of any common noun for a bad actor of this sort. But there's a proper noun: Jenny McCarthy (Frank Bruni, 4/21).

23 Apr 2014

Detailing the winners: Which insurers scored the most health exchanges sign-ups

In California, it was Anthem Blue Cross, while Kaiser Permanente, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and the Colorado HealthOP appeared to fare well through that state's online insurance marketplace. Meanwhile, reports also track how the small business exchanges did in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

23 Apr 2014

The trials and tribulations of the health law's expanded health insurance coverage

News outlets report how, as the overhaul "chips away" at the nation's number of people without insurance, the law's solutions to the problem often come with challenges of their own.

23 Apr 2014

First Edition: April 22, 2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including marketplace news about the Novartis purchase of GlaxoSmithKline's oncology unit for $14.5 billion.

22 Apr 2014

Cost of Hep C medicines vexing insurers

As health insurance companies reveal much anticipated first-quarter earnings, it's the unpredictable impact from the five-figure cost of new Hepatitis C treatments that are the subject of as much Wall Street worry as the Affordable Care Act.

22 Apr 2014

Sunstone Circuits named one of Healthiest Employers of Oregon for 2013

Sunstone Circuits, the leading printed circuit board (PCB) prototype solutions provider, has been named one of the Healthiest Employers of Oregon for 2013. The awards are given to companies that promote the value of workplace wellness and demonstrate innovation and leadership in their wellness programs. Sunstone placed fourth in the "medium sized employers" category - those with 100-499 employees.

22 Apr 2014

Internet bug spurs HealthCare.gov to reset customer passwords

The Obama administration has reset the passwords of consumers who created accounts through HealthCare.gov, saying the precautionary move was necessary to protect personal information at risk through the newly discovered Heartbleed Internet bug. Those who have accounts will be prompted to create new ones the next time they visit the site, according to an announcement posted on HealthCare.gov (King, 4/19).

22 Apr 2014

Vietnam's pharmaceutical market records growth rate of nearly 17% in 2013

Decision Resources Group finds that Vietnam is currently one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical markets in Southeast Asia, recording a growth rate of nearly 17 percent and exceeding $3 billion in size in 2013. Increasing affluence, a rapidly aging population and the steady extension of public health insurance are among factors that are driving demand for prescription medicines.

22 Apr 2014

States have limited time for decision on setting up marketplaces

Meanwhile, other outlets look at the deadline enrollment surge and its possible effect on health care costs.

22 Apr 2014

All Together Better Health conference to be held in Pittsburgh this June

The biennial All Together Better Health conference will hold its first U.S. meeting in Pittsburgh this June to highlight the latest research on interprofessionalism and team-based health care delivery. The international conference serves as a forum for health system executives, educational leaders and policy makers to share new studies and shape the future of the health care workforce.

22 Apr 2014

Health law a tough sell, although millions gain benefits

A New York Times analysis points out that many of those helped most by the health law are the least likely to cast votes to preserve it. CNN notes that Obamacare is a tough sell for embattled Democrats and a political analyst questions GOP strategy to run against the law.

22 Apr 2014

Ohio inmates getting Medicaid; Va. hospitals pushing legislature

As prison inmates in Ohio gain their freedom, state officials are trying to get many of them enrolled in health coverage for low-income people. In Virginia, where the General Assembly is at an impasse on the budget because of the dispute over expanding Medicaid, hospitals seek to convey their message about the economic costs.

22 Apr 2014

Maryland details money spent on troubled health marketplace

The state spent nearly $130 million on the marketplace and more than $90 million of it on technology, according to the state's breakdown, The Washington Post reports.

22 Apr 2014