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First Edition: May 23, 2013

Today's headlines include various status updates about state activity regarding the health law's online insurance marketplaces.

23 May 2013

Viewpoints: Sebelius' 'ethical line'; As tricky phase of health law approaches, concerns about exchanges opening on time

One of the biggest questions hanging over the health-care system is how many young Americans will sign up for coverage once the Affordable Care Act begins to phase in this October. If too few buy insurance on the markets that the government is creating, insurance companies would be stuck covering primarily the old and the sick. They would have to pay out more per customer.

21 May 2013

Health law's insurance exchanges are not mirror image of Mass. version

Some of the state's features that advocates say helped consumers make their insurance-purchasing decisions were not included in the the federal health law.

21 May 2013

'Navigators' to play pivotal role helping consumers sign up for health insurance

Roll Call reports that many of the people who sign up for insurance through the exchange might face language barriers or may never have had coverage before. Also, CQ HealthBeat reports that web-based insurance brokers want "a place at the table."

15 May 2013

Elixir's DESolve Novolimus Eluting Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold System receives CE Mark approval

Elixir Medical Corporation, a developer of product platforms that combine state-of-the-art medical devices with advanced pharmaceuticals, announced that it has received CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark approval for its DESolve Novolimus Eluting Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold System.

15 May 2013

White House identifies key groups for health exchange enrollment

The Obama administration has identified specific groups of people it would like to focus on as it promotes enrollment in the state health insurance exchanges next year. The administration plans a localized approach to reach 2.7 million healthy people who are 18 to 35 years old and without health insurance, according to information provided by senior administration officials (Ethridge, 5/10).

14 May 2013

Sebelius raises eyebrows by soliciting donations for health law outreach

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has asked businesses and charitable groups to make large donations to help underwrite the costs of public outreach associated with the overhaul. A GOP leader is questioning the legality of the efforts.

14 May 2013

First Edition: May 13, 2013

Today's headlines include reports that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has been seeking out funds from private sources to support efforts to publicize the health law.

13 May 2013

Community health centers get $150M to help uninsured enroll in new coverage

The funding is to hire staff, train existing staff and perform outreach and educational activities. The idea is to help consumers sign up for coverage sold through new online insurance marketplaces that are scheduled to open on Oct. 1 under the Affordable Care Act.

13 May 2013

Feds offer positive signals about progress on health exchanges

USA Today reports that federal officials say the government is meeting deadlines, testing systems and putting the infrastructure in place to get these online insurance marketplaces up and running. Also, Modern Healthcare reports that the National Association of Health Underwriters is urging extensive training for the exchange navigators.

13 May 2013

First Edition: May 10, 2013

Todya's headlines include reports about efforts by the Obama administration to boost health exchange enrollment.

10 May 2013

Cantor schedules (yet another) health law repeal vote

The vote, which is likely to take place next week, will be the first one in 2013. There have been more than 30 votes to repeal all or parts of the health overhaul since its passage in 2010.

10 May 2013

Viewpoints: Medicaid's effect on health debated; Young adults central to lowering anxiety about online marketplaces

A study comparing low-income people in Oregon who received access to Medicaid over the past two years with those who did not, found that those on Medicaid visited doctors and hospitals more often, suffered less from depression and were more financially secure.

8 May 2013

Big insurers are tentative about health law's marketplaces

Reuters reports that some of the nation's largest insurers are wary about jumping into the online marketplaces slated to open for enrollment in October. Meanwhile, CQ Health Beat tracks worries from some officials about consumer outreach.

4 May 2013

Study reveals how the properties of embryonic stem cells are controlled

Scientists have made a fundamental discovery about how the properties of embryonic stem cells are controlled.

3 May 2013

Insurers face key health exchange deadline

Modern Healthcare reports that May 1 is the deadline for insurers to apply to offer heatlh plans for sale on state-run exchanges. However, the deadline for participation in states that have opted for federally run exchanges has been extended until Friday.

2 May 2013

Exchange implementation: News from the White House and the field

Politico reports that the Obama administration is facing challenges as it moves into a critical time implementing the health law. Meanwhile, a contract is awarded for a call center to handle questions about the health exchanges run by the federal government.

30 Apr 2013

CMS plans to increase Medicare hospital payments by 0.8%

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the proposed increase Friday, which will raise payments for services that elderly and disabled patients receive after being admitted to hospitals.

30 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 29, 2013

Today's headlines include a report that hospitals are questioning Medicare's rules on readmissions.

29 Apr 2013

States mull methods to raise health exchange awareness, provide consumer assistance

California has more uninsured people than other states have people. With that in mind, think about this: By Oct. 1, the state has to have its health insurance exchange up and running, ready to offer an estimated five million people some kind of insurance.

29 Apr 2013