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Viewpoints: 'Pent-up demand' for health care; too early for that White House victory lap; the fight over Medicare advantage

More than seven million people have signed up for insurance on the new federal and state health exchanges, President Obama said this week. Millions more could be added to that total once insurers tally up the people who bought policies directly from them and when those who tried to apply on balky websites are able to complete the process.

4 Apr 2014

Obama administration point to official end -- April 15 -- for enrollment extension

The Wall Street Journal reports that this cut-off will apply to the hundreds of thousands of people who started signing up for insurance on the federal health exchange but got held up during their last-minute shopping. Also in the news, the latest from California and Georgia in terms of deadlines and enrollment efforts.

4 Apr 2014

New Medicaid era takes different paths in Mich., Wis.

The neighboring states opt for different approaches to Medicaid expansion. Meanwhile, in Missouri, two Republican lawmakers clash over whether to accept the health law's expansion, and the Pennsylvania governor says he is nearly ready to pull back his proposal that is languishing with federal officials.

4 Apr 2014

With eyes on upcoming congressional elections, Democrats see glimmer of hope in enrollment numbers

For months, Republicans have viewed the health law as a powerful weapon against Democratic opponents, but the better-than-expected enrollment figures offered Democrats a positive counter-argument.

4 Apr 2014

Now that open enrollment has ended, what are the health law's next challenges?

News outlets are beginning to focus on the next set of implementation chores, as well as the ways in which the law will impact the health care marketplace.

4 Apr 2014

Confident from enrollment numbers, Obama turns focus to GOP health care and budget plans

President Barack Obama continued to tout the success of the health care law, using the momentum to attack the House GOP's new budget proposal, as well as providing a blueprint for the defense of the law for Democrats in upcoming elections.

4 Apr 2014

Medicare will release billing data from doctors

The information will include data on what services doctors used, the average amount they charged Medicare and what they were paid. Doctors have fought such disclosures in the past.

4 Apr 2014

Jindal offers alternative to health law

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal unveiled a 26-page health plan that emphasizes the role of states in keeping health costs down while giving consumers more flexibility. He also reiterates the need to repeal Obamacare.

3 Apr 2014

Failed state exchanges set sights too high, say experts

Common themes characterize several failed state exchanges, including trying to do too much the first year and having tangled lines of authority, reports CQ HealthBeat.

3 Apr 2014

Roundup: Battles fought over Lyme disease, autism and abortion

In Texas, abortion providers file suit to block a state rule that could shut down many of the state's remaining clinics, while lawmakers in Vermont and N.Y. seek to immunize doctors who prescribe long-term antibiotics for patients with lasting symptoms attributed to Lyme disease.

3 Apr 2014

First Edition: April 3, 2014

Today's headlines include reports on how Paul Ryan's budget is playing on Capitol Hill as well as news that the Obama administration is releasing a trove of data on physician services and payments.

3 Apr 2014

Viewpoints: GOP can no longer wait for Obamacare 'to implode;' Ryan's version of 'trickle-down economics'

Now that Obamacare has finished with an amazing surge in signups, apparently passing the 7 million mark for the exchanges, there have been two main responses. Republicans are in full-on denial - the books are cooked! Nobody has paid! It's only because people have been forced to do it! Benghazi! Vince Foster! Meanwhile, progressives are full of caution.

3 Apr 2014

Who enrolled in health law coverage and what do they bring to the risk pool?

The final days of open enrollment were marked by a surge that helped the Obama administration clear a key milepost. But not yet known is what this population actually looks like.

3 Apr 2014

Highlights: Abortion restrictions in Mississippi, Arizona

And in Hawaii and Los Angeles, some advocacy groups are worrying about providing health insurance to migrant workers and undocumented workers.

3 Apr 2014

Fight over Medicaid expansion intensifies in Virginia, other states

The battle for the future of Medicaid in Virginia is expected to heat up, with both sides of the divide playing close attention to a proposal to expand the program through the state budget.

3 Apr 2014

White House: More than 7 million health insurance sign ups

The official enrollment cut-off has come and gone, and the Obama administration is claiming a big win based on the last-minute surge of interest in online insurance marketplaces. President Barack Obama viewed the number as a rebuttal of the months-long criticism over the health law.

3 Apr 2014

Maryland scraps exchange software, will buy Connecticut's system

Now that the enrollment period has ended, the board that runs Maryland's troubled online insurance marketplace has opted to start over with a system that worked well in Connecticut.

3 Apr 2014

Counting will continue after 'official' deadline

The counting goes on as federal and state exchange officials tally consumers who are taking advantage of various extensions to sign up late. Efforts to determine whether the overhaul is working also continue.

3 Apr 2014

Susan G. Komen announces new grants to seven breast cancer organizations

Susan G. Komen today announced more than $1.89 million in new grants to seven breast cancer organizations serving the National Capital Region. The announcement came during the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure Media Kickoff Event and Survivor Roundtable marking the official start of activities leading up to the 25th Global Race for the Cure May 10 on the National Mall.

3 Apr 2014

First Edition: April 2, 2014

Today's headlines include news and analysis about the 7 million insurance enrollment tally. Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in partnership with NPR, Eric Whitney writes: "The names of the big health insurance companies are familiar – Blue Cross, Aetna, United Healthcare. But what about CoOportunity Health, or Health Republic Insurance of New York? These are among 23 new health insurance companies that started under the Affordable Care Act.

2 Apr 2014