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State Lawmakers Consider Legislative Fixes For Health Insurance Exchange Problems

Lawmakers in Maryland and Oregon consider legislation that would help residents sign up for health insurance coverage -- in some cases after deadlines to sign up have passed.

28 Jan 2014

Some consumers finding surprises as they explore health law implementation

Many plans offered on the health marketplaces will take an unexpected chunk out of consumers' wallets, Politico reports. Meanwhile, The Associated Press examines a dilemma for some parents who find that their children qualify for Medicaid and can't go on the same plan as the parents.

28 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 27, 2014

Today's headlines include a report about a new Associated Press poll that found some negative views of the health law may be easing.

27 Jan 2014

SPHeRE programme in population health and health services research receives €6.3 million

Risk of suicide after self-harm; work stress in non-consultant hospital doctors; and monitoring and assessing the impact of the economic crisis on the Irish health system are among the research areas that will be explored by scholars of an innovative new PhD programme in population health and health services research.

27 Jan 2014

Viewpoints: Consumers awakening to health law's 'perverse incentives;' Medicaid expansion could help Dems in mid-term elections; new 'devious tactic' in smoking

With fewer glitches to deter them, millions of Americans are now logging on to the ObamaCare health-insurance-exchange websites. When they get there, many are discovering some unpleasant surprises:

25 Jan 2014

White House health care adviser to leave his post

White House coordinator for health reform Chris Jennings resigned after six months, citing personal reasons and family considerations.

25 Jan 2014

Research roundup: Patient safety measure results 'disappointing'

Patient safety poses serious challenges to the health care system in the United States. Since 2001, nationwide efforts have focused on reducing in-hospital adverse events.

25 Jan 2014

Health law enrollment hits approximately 3 million in January

Though this number is shy of earlier projections, it is getting closer to hitting monthly expectations. The administration, though, did not provided data about payment.

25 Jan 2014

Aetna enters into five-year reinsurance arrangement with Vitality Re V

Aetna today announced that it has entered into a five-year reinsurance arrangement with Vitality Re V Limited as part of its long-term capital management strategy.

25 Jan 2014

Huckabee takes aim at health law's birth control requirement

The former Arkansas governor's comments, offered as part of a speech to the Republican National Committee's winter meeting, drew harsh responses from Planned Parenthood and Democratic Party committees.

25 Jan 2014

Covered California gets federal grant to improve customer service, boost enrollment

Also in the news, reports about state exchange challenges and difficulties in Nevada, Texas, Maryland, Hawaii and Minnesota.

25 Jan 2014

Judge bars Missouri's limits on health law navigators

A federal district judge ruled Thursday that Missouri officials were illegally obstructing the activities of insurance guides funded by the federal government to help consumers enroll in coverage under the health law. More than a dozen Republican-led states have imposed additional requirements on the guides, also known as navigators.

25 Jan 2014

Mayors also have a stake in the Medicaid expansion's 'promise and pitfalls'

This health law topic is high on the agenda of this week's U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington. Meanwhile, Utah's Gov. Gary Herbert said he will pursue some form of the expansion. Also in the news, related developments in Montana and Missouri.

24 Jan 2014

Moody's downgrades outlook for health insurers

The credit-rating firm downgraded the outlook for health insurers from stable to negative, citing the health law's troubled rollout. Meanwhile, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini predicted that companies would soon spend billions on consumer advertising. And The New York Times explores allegations that Health Management Associates, a for-profit hospital chain based in Naples, Fla., pursued strategies to increase admissions, regardless of whether a patient needed hospital care.

24 Jan 2014

First Edition: January 24, 2014

Today's headlines include reports that a federal district court judge in Missouri has blocked state officials from restricting groups efforts to help people sign up for coverage as part of the federal health law.

24 Jan 2014

Big jump in Medicaid signups reported

More than 6.3 million people were found eligible for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program since October, but it is unclear how many are newly insured since recipients must re-enroll each year. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urges mayors to push their states to expand the program. News outlets also look at developments in Virginia and Florida.

24 Jan 2014

Researchers examine effects of ACA on cancer survivors

In 2010, the total cost of cancer care in the United States reached $125 billion. Globally, the economic toll from cancer is nearly 20 percent higher than the leading cause of death, heart disease. Cancer patients are also living longer today, which is further increasing the cost of their continued care.

24 Jan 2014

Viewpoints: Target has the right idea for part-timers; health law 'beyond rescue;' fighting back to secure the right to abortion

The big noise on the health insurance front today was sounded by Target, which announced via a corporate blog that it's ending health insurance for its part-time workers. Instead of signing up for a company plan, they're encouraged to use the health care exchanges set up through the Affordable Care Act. ...

24 Jan 2014