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In Arkansas congressional race, candidates spar over who hates the health law more

The two Republican rivals are both campaigning on their zeal to repeal the health law. Meanwhile, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., says during the Sunday talk shows that he expects modifications to the health law to iron out its kinks will be necessary at some point down the road.

20 Aug 2013

Health law critics raise privacy concerns about navigator program

Some state attorneys general say the plans for hiring and training navigators don't have enough consumer safeguards.

20 Aug 2013

Obama tells GOP 'health insurance isn't something to play politics with'

In his weekly address, the president criticizes Republicans for trying to "gum up the works" on implementation of the law. Meanwhile, in the GOP address, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito says overhaul is not workable and calls for a delay in the individual mandate.

19 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Medicare's lessons for the health law; Krauthammer says Obama shouldn't try to write his own laws

As a Sept. 30 budget deadline approaches, many in the Republican Party are pushing to repeal the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. The law's most radical opponents are even threatening to shut down the government by refusing to pass a continuing resolution, which would fund existing government programs at current or slightly adjusted levels.

17 Aug 2013

Planned Parenthood affiliates among groups tapped to receive federal health law grants

News outlets also highlight various other organizations that received funding to be 'navigators.'

17 Aug 2013

HHS awards $67 million in 'Navigator' grants to groups to help consumers with the health law

The grants are part of the health law's outreach and assistance efforts, viewed as linchpins to the law's success.

17 Aug 2013

Anticipation leads to questions -- will the health exchanges work?

McClatchy asks the central question: "Will it be smooth sailing or a 'train wreck'?" Meanwhile, other news outlets report on issues such as how experts view the possibility of rate shock when consumers shop for coverage from these online marketplaces, as well as other related developments in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Georgia, Ohio and Colorado.

16 Aug 2013

States continue to wrestle with health law implementation issues

Even as an Arkansas effort by a private group to block the health law appears to be falling short, states like Missouri continue to contemplate expanding Medicaid, and, in California, the health exchange experiences growing pains.

16 Aug 2013

The countdown's on to opening day, but enrollment challenges persist

Stateline reports on the advocacy group Enroll America's plan to focus on 10 states as it tries to get the uninsured enrolled in plans offered on the new online insurance marketplaces. Meanwhile, the Senate's top Republican, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is asking the administration to delay the exchanges because of data security concerns.

14 Aug 2013

Health law political push evident in Ad spending, enrollment efforts

The war over health care is being waged all over again. Supporters and opponents of the Affordable Care Act -- also called Obamacare -- are battling for American eyeballs in an advertising and outreach war, reminiscent of the 2009 political fight when Congress debated the legislation (Green, 8/12).

14 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Obama overlooking legal constraints on employer mandate delay; Bush's 'unnecessary' heart procedure; discrimination against people with mental illnesses

In his Friday remarks, Mr. Obama also claimed that he had the "executive authority" for the mandate delay. But if he really believes that, then why did he say he would normally ask for a legislative "tweak." Either the fix requires legislation or it doesn't. His comments are certainly revealing about his attitudes on Presidential power and the constraints of the U.S. Constitution. Article II, Section 3 instructs him to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, not merely what he thinks is "the essence" of laws (8/10).

13 Aug 2013

Obama's health law promises put to the test

The Hill checks up on five health law promises from the president as implementation continues. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News examines how some low-income people might gain insurance if their state doesn't expand its Medicaid program, but the strategy will carry risks.

13 Aug 2013

Foreign docs face challenging transition to U.S. system

News outlets report on issues ranging from how foreign doctors are assimilated into the U.S. health care system to how nurse practitioners might help address the physician shortage and the job market nurses are facing.

13 Aug 2013

Sebelius open to 'uniquely Texan' approach to covering uninsured

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in Texas yesterday that the Obama administration was flexible about how coverage might be expanded in that state, "but as far as I know, those conversations, at least with the state officials, are not taking place right now." Meanwhile, several state officials, including Gov. Rick Perry, blasted the federal health care law.

12 Aug 2013

12 insurers sign contracts for California exchange - but one plan opts out

Reports also detail how health exchanges are taking shape in Maryland, Wisconsin, Oregon, Iowa, D.C. and Connecticut.

9 Aug 2013

Democratic opposition to cost-cutting board gains momentum

ObamaCare's cost-cutting board - memorably called a "death panel" by Sarah Palin - is facing growing opposition from Democrats who say it will harm people on Medicare. Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean drew attention to the board designed to limit Medicare cost growth when he called for its repeal in an op-ed late last month (Viebeck 8/8).

9 Aug 2013

Sizing up health law politics and policies

News outlets detail the political landscape surrounding the overhaul's implementation and provide user's guides to help consumers navigate changes. Coverage also highlights health law provisions that could impact coverage for small businesses and union members, and how the law is helping drive marketplace developments.

9 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Health law's marketing challenge; GOP not to blame for implementation challenges

More than half of working-class whites say [the federal health law] is a bad idea. Perhaps most stunningly, so do 48% of those currently without health insurance - the very people who stand to gain the most, in the form of help finding and paying for coverage. Meanwhile, by a 30-point margin, political independents think they will be worse off under the law.

7 Aug 2013

Sebelius disputes 'rate shock,' assures exchanges' readiness

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a call with reporters yesterday that the agency is "on target" to open new online marketplaces Oct. 1. She also spoke about personal "Obamacare" accounts which consumers can begin creating now in advance of being able to shop for plans.

7 Aug 2013

State highlights: Va. governor hopefuls talk mental health, Medicaid expansion

Ken Cuccinelli II touted tax cuts and preschool vouchers while Terry McAuliffe embraced Medicaid expansion Monday night as the candidates for Virginia governor laid out different visions for improving mental health in Virginia. The rivals to succeed Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) appeared at a candidate forum for mental-health advocates and families affected by mental illness. Sponsored by a coalition of mental health organizations, the event drew several hundred people to an auditorium at Collegiate School in suburban Richmond (Vozzella, 8/5).

7 Aug 2013