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Roles of insurance brokers, navigators explored

News outlets examine how brokers, navigators and other counselors are supposed to help consumers understand their coverage options through the online insurance marketplaces.

5 Oct 2013

Medicaid expansion an unsettled issue for some states

In Virginia, one member of the panel charged with exploring the idea of expanding the health insurance program for people with low incomes said any broadening of the program was unlikely to happen in the near future. In Mississippi, many low-income people will soon realize they won't be eligible for Medicaid because the state opted against the expansion.

5 Oct 2013

Insurers see trickle of enrollees from Obamacare exchanges

Insurers report that a small number of people are enrolling in coverage through the federal insurance exchange, but the government has declined to release any numbers. Meanwhile, the federal government scrambles to make fixes as experts debate whether the glitches are a result of the high level of consumer interest or if other issues are at work.

5 Oct 2013

Health law policy issues grab headlines

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel draws parallels between policies included in the health law and some of those that have historically been advanced by conservatives. Meanwhile, other news outlets revisit central issues of the overhaul, including the individual mandate, the costs of coverage borne by businesses and accountable care organizations.

5 Oct 2013

Consumers share tales of success, frustration buying coverage

A couple of consumers vaulted into the headlines as the first to complete the sign-up process for health coverage through new online marketplaces. Other shoppers, including those who have coverage but who are looking for better, lower-cost options, tell their stories, too.

5 Oct 2013

First Edition: October 4, 2013

Today's headlines include continued status reports on state and federal health exchanges as well as the ongoing Capitol Hill budget drama.

4 Oct 2013

Viewpoints: Obamacare's redistribution will 'wreck' U.S. work ethic; health law problems can't obscure pent up demand

A new wave of redistribution will arrive in America on Jan. 1, primarily thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The president's health-insurance plan forces those who hire, work and produce to pay full price for health care, while creating generous discounts for practically everyone else (Casey B. Mulligan, 10/2).

4 Oct 2013

Calif. legislator seeks to move all state lawmakers to marketplace; Virginia utility says it will drop coverage for employees because of tax

Republican Assemblyman Brian Nestande doesn't like the health law but says state legislators should have to live with it. Meanwhile Gov. Jerry Brown signs a bill easing secrecy around the state agency overseeing the health law. In Virginia, Fairfax's water authority says taxes on generous health plans will cause it to drop coverage for workers.

4 Oct 2013

The parts played by Boehner and Reid roles in the shutdown, the health law defunding, and party dynamics

Media outlets examine how House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have contributed to the Capitol Hill tensions surrounding the government shutdown and Obamacare fight-- both in their relationship with each other and their places within their respective parties.

4 Oct 2013

States' refusal to expand Medicaid will prevent millions from getting coverage

The New York Times reports that the decision by about half the states to not expand Medicaid coverage will prevent two-thirds of poor black consumers and single mothers and more than half of low-wage workers from getting insurance.

4 Oct 2013

States seek ways to address marketplace trouble spots; also report progress

News outlets report on the fits and starts of state online health insurance marketplaces in Maryland, New York, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas, Florida, California and Colorado -- just to name a few.

4 Oct 2013

Opinions on shutdown: Opening marketplaces makes this impasse different; don't repeal medical device tax; Democrats are 'intransigents'

It's different because the new health-care system got up and running on the very day the shutdown began. Conceding to the GOP would take health insurance away from people and ruin a program for which we now know there is a public appetite. It's not going to happen (E.J. Dionne Jr., 10/2).

4 Oct 2013

Security specialists say Obamacare glitches not caused by online attack

The New York Times reports that the technical problems plaguing the federal exchange websites are not the work of hackers. Meanwhile, Politico looks at the playful security questions that some state exchanges are using.

4 Oct 2013

People without insurance seek new options from insurance marketplaces

For consumers who are seeking insurance through the new law, the marketplace's technical problems have been frustrating, but many remain eager.

4 Oct 2013

Day 2: Consumers shopping for insurance on exchanges continue to confront delays, challenges

Interest and demand appeared to overload websites and clog phone lines. Federal officials, who were taking steps to build additional capacity into the system, said traffic to the website exceeded expectations.

4 Oct 2013

Opinions on shutdown: Boehner says Dems have 'slammed the door;' GOP effort to derail law takes democracy 'hostage'

The president isn't telling the whole story when it comes to the government shutdown. The fact is that Washington Democrats have slammed the door on reopening the government by refusing to engage in bipartisan talks. And, as stories across the country highlight the devastating impact of Obamacare on families and small businesses, they continue to reject our calls for fairness for all Americans (House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, 10/2).

3 Oct 2013

First Edition: October 3, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how the federal and state health exchanges worked on their second day of operations. In the background, the congressional budget stand off continues.

3 Oct 2013

Figuring out how to shop around on health exchanges

News outlets report on the efforts by states, navigators, organizations and others to help uninsured people find their way through the challenges of applying for health insurance on the new online marketplaces.

3 Oct 2013

Traffic reports: High volume causes health insurance shoppers to experience delays

Across the country, states reported computer problems and long wait times as consumers tried to check out the new insurance options available through the health law's online insurance marketplaces. At the same time, though, many states reported tallies of applications and hits that exceeded expectations.

3 Oct 2013

No health law budging from either side as gov't shutdown continues

Neither Republicans nor Democrats appear ready to budge in the short-term to end a government shutdown and their impasse over funding for the health law. House Republicans are looking to pressure moderate Democrats in the Senate by sending the upper chamber a series of bills aimed at getting them to split from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, but Republicans are beginning to feel the pressure building themselves over who will get the blame for the shutdown.

3 Oct 2013