Health Insurance News and Research

RSS

Researchers examine how ACA could affect Americans living with HIV/AIDS

A series of papers in the March issue of Health Affairs examines how the Affordable Care Act could affect two sectors of the most vulnerable Americans - those living with HIV/AIDS and people who have recently cycled through jail.

4 Mar 2014

Insurers gather new customers' health information -- a critical step in calculating prices for next year's plans offered on exchanges

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that chronically ill consumers who obtain coverage from the online insurance marketplaces may still face high drug costs despite the health law's ban on discriminatory insurance practices. Also, news outlets report on Time magazine's cover story that details how the Obama administration almost shutdown healthcare.gov during its early, fitful days.

3 Mar 2014

First Edition: March 3, 2014

Today's headlins include stories detailing ongoing challenges with state-run exchanges as well as previews of what's next regarding the federal budget process.

3 Mar 2014

Despite appearances, agreement exists about some health care improvements

USA Today notes that consensus can be found regarding five steps. In other implementation news, NBC News reports on a new service being offered by some tax preparers -- health insurance enrollment.

3 Mar 2014

Utah Gov. rejects full Medicaid expansion, opts instead for a 'private' approach

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert unveiled a proposal that would use federal money to help qualifying state residents buy private health insurance and would, he said, keep the state in control of the program. In Virginia, the political back-and-forth over expanding the program continues.

3 Mar 2014

In states with failing exchanges, CMS opens door to retroactive premium subsidies

A ruling by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will make it possible for consumers in some states to get federal subsidies even when they buy insurance outside of the Obamacare insurance marketplaces.

3 Mar 2014

Aetna announces quarterly cash dividend, sanctions additional repurchase of common stock

The Board of Directors of Aetna declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share on the company's common stock.

3 Mar 2014

State highlights: N.C. Medicaid reform plan unveiled; cutting back Medicaid estate recoveries

A selection of health policy stories from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Florida, New York, and North Carolina.

3 Mar 2014

Maryland exchange can't tell whether Medicaid enrollees are still eligible

The state is unable to determine whether current enrollees continue to qualify for the state-federal program for the poor as a result of a glitch which officials estimate could cost $30.5 million over two years.

3 Mar 2014

States: N.C.'s Medicaid managed care proposal; narrow provider networks; Planned Parenthood's big plan

Gov. Pat McCrory's health agency is backing away from initial proposals to fix Medicaid costs by hiring a handful of big managed care organizations to run North Carolina's $13 billion health care system. The state Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday presented its framework for revamping Medicaid to an advisory group set up by McCrory (Dalesio, 2/26).

28 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 28, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about the latest developments for those states that are running their own health insurance exchanges and facing difficulties.

28 Feb 2014

Longer looks: A doctor struggles with new health system; how to reduce end-of-life costs; fighting cancer with aspirin

I know how lucky I am to be a patient who happens to also work in the healthcare system. ... Initially, I had to use antibiotic drops every hour. But my insurance would only cover one three-milliliter bottle every three weeks. Each bottle not covered by insurance cost me $130. ... My own experience makes me fear that for many Americans, health insurance may not necessarily equal health care. Access and cost will still remain barriers - and can be difficult to surmount for many (Dr. Helen Ouyang, 2/24)

28 Feb 2014

Medicaid expansion continues to trigger state House debate, strong opinions

In states such as Virginia, Maine and Utah, lawmakers hold entrenched positions about whether to pursue this provision of the health law.

28 Feb 2014

Biden, Hillary Clinton promote health law

The vice president's office will reach out to groups this week. Clinton, on a visit to Florida, offered a defense of the law, but said she was open to changes that could help small business owners.

28 Feb 2014

Online insurance shoppers may soon turn to third-party registration sites

The Washington Post reports that as officials work toward the final enrollment season push, the administration is turning to some private entrepreneurs to help sign up people. Also, the Los Angeles Times examines how many young people are signing up.

28 Feb 2014

Millions of mentally ill will lack coverage in states not expanding Medicaid, report finds

The Washington Post takes a look at the report by a group representing mental health professionals, and also how the issue is playing out in the Virginia legislature, where there is strong support to reform the state's mental health care system following the death of a state lawmaker's son.

28 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 27, 2014

Today's headlines include a number of stories about Obama past and present administration officials -- notably, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden -- who are stepping up to "sell" people on enrolling in new health law insurance coverage.

27 Feb 2014

Study highlights health outcomes in Hispanic and Latino populations

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, released the largest and most comprehensive health and lifestyle analysis of people from a range of Hispanic/Latino origins. The data will enable individuals, communities, and policy makers to tailor better health intervention strategies.

27 Feb 2014

Report: Spending on health care for children increased between 2009 and 2012

Spending on health care for children covered by employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) increased between 2009 and 2012, rising an average 5.5 percent a year, with more dollars spent on boys than girls, and higher spending on infants and toddlers (ages 0-3) than any other children's age group, finds a new report released today by the Health Care Cost Institute. Per capita spending on children reached $2,437 in 2012, a $363 increase from 2009. The study shows a growth in prescription use by children through age 18, as well as a rise in the number of teens being admitted for mental health and substance use (MHSU) treatment.

27 Feb 2014

Viewpoints: Health law's forgotten taxes; 'lame documentation' by critics; hospital closing crisis

The Affordable Care Act contains at least two economically distinct taxes on labor market activity. Even the experts on the law have failed to recognize all of them (Casey B. Mulligan, 2/26).

27 Feb 2014

Health Insurance News and Research

Researchers examine how ACA could affect Americans living with HIV/AIDS

Insurers gather new customers' health information -- a critical step in calculating prices for next year's plans offered on exchanges

First Edition: March 3, 2014

Despite appearances, agreement exists about some health care improvements

Utah Gov. rejects full Medicaid expansion, opts instead for a 'private' approach

In states with failing exchanges, CMS opens door to retroactive premium subsidies

Aetna announces quarterly cash dividend, sanctions additional repurchase of common stock

State highlights: N.C. Medicaid reform plan unveiled; cutting back Medicaid estate recoveries

Maryland exchange can't tell whether Medicaid enrollees are still eligible

States: N.C.'s Medicaid managed care proposal; narrow provider networks; Planned Parenthood's big plan

First Edition: February 28, 2014

Longer looks: A doctor struggles with new health system; how to reduce end-of-life costs; fighting cancer with aspirin

Medicaid expansion continues to trigger state House debate, strong opinions

Biden, Hillary Clinton promote health law

Online insurance shoppers may soon turn to third-party registration sites

Millions of mentally ill will lack coverage in states not expanding Medicaid, report finds

First Edition: February 27, 2014

Study highlights health outcomes in Hispanic and Latino populations

Report: Spending on health care for children increased between 2009 and 2012

Viewpoints: Health law's forgotten taxes; 'lame documentation' by critics; hospital closing crisis

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Latest News