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Political fight jeopardizes Mississippi's entire Medicaid program

The state's Democratic and Republican lawmakers are embroiled in a game of chicken that threatens to blow up the Medicaid program, which serves 700,000 poor Mississipians. Meanwhile, reports from Indiana, Montana and California detail other developments related to state officials' decisions about whether to expand the program under the health law.

25 Jun 2013

Companies examine ways to cut health costs, deal with Obamacare

The New York Times explores how employers are wrestling with approaches to health costs, as well as the health law's new requirements.

25 Jun 2013

As doctors, hospitals, insurers prepare for health law implementation, 100-day countdown begins for online marketplaces

The New York Times profiles a Louisville clinic's efforts to be ready for changes, while several outlets look at the progress of the health exchanges where consumers will be able to buy insurance plans.

25 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 21, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the rebates some insurers will provide to consumers as a result of a health law provision.

21 Jun 2013

State highlights: Calif. state legislative panel considers bill on health exchange secrecy

A state legislative committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would require California's health insurance exchange to make more contract information publicly available, even as advocates for open government urged lawmakers to go further. The Senate Health Committee voted 9-0 to pass the legislation by Republican Sen. Bill Emmerson and Democratic Sen. Mark DeSaulnier. They introduced the bill, SB332, after a story by The Associated Press revealed the unique degree of privacy granted to Covered California, as the exchange is called (Olson, 6/19).

21 Jun 2013

A status check on small business health exchanges

News outlets examine key points about the health law, including a progress report on implementation issues by the Government Acountability Office.

21 Jun 2013

Poll: Young adults consider health insurance important

A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found a strong majority of young adults believe health insurance is worth the money.

20 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 20, 2013

Today's headlines include a variety of reports about the health law's implementation as well as related developments from Capitol Hill.

20 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: Urgency has slipped away for 'grand bargain'; The need to scrutinize drug competition; Restore funding to 'Meals on Wheels'

It may seem paradoxical that Congress was willing to tackle a grand bargain when the deficit problem looked big and insoluble - but quickly lost interest as soon as the problem became more manageable. … But the reason isn't really mysterious. A grand bargain would have required both sides to swallow unpalatable compromises. It would have required Democrats to agree to cuts in future spending on Medicare and Social Security. Likewise, it would have required Republicans to accept increases in tax revenue (Doyle McManus, 6/19).

20 Jun 2013

'Get Covered America' campaign launched by nonprofit group

In an effort to sign up people for the new health coverage that will become available this fall, Enroll America is one of a number of organizations launching aggressive health law outreach campaigns.

20 Jun 2013

GAO: Smooth and timely launch of health exchanges unsure

The report by the Government Accountability Office noted that the federal government has missed several deadlines, and there is a risk it won't be ready to open the online marketplaces Oct. 1. But the report also noted some positive signs.

20 Jun 2013

Grassroots tactics being used in health law's roll-out

An outside group backing the health law plans to air a series of ads this summer supporting the measure. The first ad, part of a million-dollar buy, touts parts of the law that are already in place.

19 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 19, 2013

Today's headlines include reports the development of the health law's online marketplaces is falling behind schedule.

19 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: Controlling costs; Health law's guarantee of coverage; ACO liability

In the impassioned debates over healthcare, one fact is often lost - Americans pay more but get less for their health care than residents of other high-income countries. I believe we can change that. We can improve the quality of care and reduce our expenses, saving a trillion dollars or more a year, by making our health care system more efficient (William A. Haseltine, 6/17).

19 Jun 2013

Medicaid expansion: Second thoughts and changes of heart?

PBS NewsHour reports on some states with GOP governors who opposed the health law but want to pursue the Medicaid expansion. In one such state, Arizona, the Republican governor signed expansion legislation after a bruising fight with conservatives in the legislature. But, in Maine, the governor vetoed such a measure for the second time while news outlets offer updates from Virginia, Michigan and Ohio.

19 Jun 2013

House GOP plans vote today on abortion bill

The measure, which would ban abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy, has drawn a White House veto threat. In other Capitol Hill news, health care issues continue to be part of the immigration reform debate and some lawmakers have asked for a review of federal grants and programs designed to assist the severely mentally ill.

19 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 18, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about a new publicity push in support of the health law.

18 Jun 2013

Political battles congeal around IRS scandals, implementation questions

The Associated Press reports that the funding sought by the Obama administration for the Internal Revenue Service's health law activities could be in jeopardy as a result of recent scandals. Meanwhile, The Hill reports that GOP lawmakers are developing plans for handling constituents' questions about the health law.

18 Jun 2013

Michigan inches toward Medicaid expansion

Also in the news, Virginia remains undecided on the expansion as a legislative panel, called the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission, holds its first meeting, and The Arizona Republic details how Gov. Jan Brewer closed the deal in that state.

18 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: Don't change course on Medicare reforms on medical equipment prices; Liberals' agenda depends on cutting entitlements; Making hospital prices public

Marilyn Tavenner has been administrator of Medicare and Medicaid officially for only about a month, but already she faces a policy challenge from Congress. A majority of the House, 145 Republicans and 82 Democrats, wrote to Ms. Tavenner on Wednesday, asking her to delay implementation of a Medicare cost-reduction initiative, scheduled to take full effect July 1, for six months.

18 Jun 2013