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Viewpoints: 'Mixed signals' on employee benefits; Michigan debates Medicaid expansion; malpractice awards drive safety

It is hard to know whether to rejoice or lament two striking if somewhat conflicting messages last week about the costs of employer-sponsored health insurance. An authoritative survey found that premiums for family and individual coverage at work - including both the company's and the worker's share - have gone up only moderately for the second year in a row.

27 Aug 2013

States scramble as countdown continues to the launch of health exchanges

The Washington Post reports that concerns are emerging that the tight deadline schedule has caused some states to take "shortcuts" regarding systems testing and contingency plans. But CNBC notes that the biggest threat to the success of these online insurance marketplaces may be consumers' lack of awareness.

27 Aug 2013

GOP push to defund health law spurs Capitol Hill debate

During the weekend talk shows, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, acknowledged that he does not have the votes to be successful and that he will need the help of significant grassroots pressure to win the battle.

27 Aug 2013

Medicaid expansion still unsettled in some states

State legislators in Michigan could vote as early as Tuesday on a bill to expand the health insurance program for the poor. In Wyoming, lawmakers consider an alternative approach developed by Arkansas. And in Arizona, a group trying to block the expansion faces a deadline to put the matter on the ballot.

27 Aug 2013

Lobbying efforts to alter Obamacare take on urgency

Reuters reports how businesses, unions and advocacy groups continue to seek changes in the law, but lobbyists face uphill battles. Kaiser Health News reports on how bare-bones health plans are expected to survive the law, albeit in modified form, and also looks at the government's efforts to inform seniors they shouldn't seek coverage from new online insurance marketplaces.

27 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 26, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the ongoing battles between those who support the implementation of the health law, and those who oppose it.

26 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Health law guarantees and UPS; 'delay coalition' offers GOP new playbook; Mayor Bloomberg urges Obama not to 'cave' on tobacco

It's not entirely clear why United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) is blaming the Affordable Care Act for its decision to drop 15,000 of its workers' spouses from the company's health-insurance plan. ... It's possible, of course, that UPS is using the health-care law as a smokescreen for cutting costs it wanted to cut anyway. And at one point its internal memo takes an abnormal interest in other people's business.

26 Aug 2013

State laws could upend elements of the health law enrollment effort

Twelve states have passed measures that could undermine funding for "navigators." Also, news outlets report on the latest on health exchanges from California, Wisconsin and Florida.

26 Aug 2013

Research roundup: Moving kids onto Medicaid; competitive markets

Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.

26 Aug 2013

Local governments wrestle with employee hours and health coverage

Even though the requirement that employers -- including governments -- offer full-time employees health coverage does not kick in for 16 months, there are already changes, The Washington Post reports.

26 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 23, 2013

Today's headlines include reports on what's becoming of the potential for a deficit deal, as well as the political posturing related to the House GOP efforts to block health law funding even if it means shutting down the government.

23 Aug 2013

Tufts Health Plan provides positive coverage decision and in-network provider status to bioTheranostics

bioTheranostics, a leading provider of molecular diagnostic solutions for cancer, has received a positive coverage decision and in-network provider status from Tufts Health Plan for its CancerTYPE ID molecular cancer classifier.

23 Aug 2013

State highlights: Health plan settles with D.C. over payments; Ga. judge won't stop contract despite UnitedHealthcare concerns; Calif. voters know little on Obamacare

A selection of health policy stories from the District of Columbia, Georgia, California, New York, Montana, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

23 Aug 2013

Longer looks: Gunshot season for surgeons; Hispanic teen suicide; the economics of pregnancy

Every week reporter Ankita Rao selects interesting reading from around the Web.

23 Aug 2013

New studies indicate the law's first year will be marked by slightly higher costs, more wellness incentives

As American workers prepare for the first open enrollment season of the Obamacare era, hints are surfacing about what awaits them - higher deductibles, more incentives for staying well and premium hikes that continue to out-strip wages, albeit by more moderate amounts than in the past. For coverage in 2014, the first year in which key parts of the Affordable Care Act's healthcare reforms take effect, premium increases will be about 5 percent, according to two studies (Pinsker, 8/21).

23 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Health spending driving U.S. recovery; time to get rid of the insurance middle man

Here is the most interesting fact about the economy that you've never heard: Without health-care spending, the rest of the economy is barely producing more than it did in late 2007, just before the start of the Great Recession.

23 Aug 2013

University of Virginia, UPS to stop health benefits for some workers' spouses

The university cited costs. Meanwhile, other news organizations followed Kaiser Health News' UPS story.

23 Aug 2013

Enrollment in exchanges key to health law success

Politico notes that enrollment in online marketplaces in California, Florida and Texas will have an outsized impact on whether the Obama administration achieves its nationwide goals for expanding coverage. Other outlets report how states will market the new insurance plans and how some Americans are confused by health insurance generally and Obamacare in particular.

23 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 22, 2013

Today's headlines include news reports about how summer politics are shaking out around the health law's implementation.

22 Aug 2013

Use of psychotherapy on a clear decline in US

Psychotherapy has issues. Evidence shows that some psychosocial treatments work well for common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression and that consumers often prefer them to medication.

22 Aug 2013