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Costs and coverage: Trying to discern who will experience health law gains or feel its pinch

The Wall Street Journal reports on how the law might impact small businesses that employ young and healthy workers as well as whether the measure's new coverage might be too expensive for low-paid employees. Also in the news, a report concludes that U.S. consumers who purchase health insurance on the individual market saved $2.1 billion last year due to the overhaul's rules.

10 Jun 2013

Obama touts early success for health law in California

President Obama on Friday highlighted a concentrated, localized strategy to encourage young Americans to enroll in the new health care exchanges. "Competition and choice are pushing down costs in the individual market, just like the law is designed to do," Obama said during remarks in San Jose, Calif. California is one of three states key to the 2010 health care law's expansion of health insurance to all Americans -- but especially young people (Kennedy, 6/7).

10 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: 'Reasonable' debate about health law's 'rate shock; 'absurdity' of Sebelius' account of fund raising; Obama killed the grand bargain

Many of us have been wondering whether it's possible to have an honest, reasonable debate about Obamacare. To my pleasant surprise, one may finally be starting.

7 Jun 2013

State decisions on Medicaid expansion deepen health care divide

The Fiscal Times examines how political dynamics are leading to a red state-blue state divide in the availability of health care coverage.

7 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 7, 2013

Today's headlines include previews of the speech President Barack Obama is expected to deliver today in California as well as news about particular health law implementation issues.

7 Jun 2013

Poll finds health law's support sliding

A new Wall Street Journal/NBC survey concludes that more Americans than ever before view the health law as a bad idea. Just as these numbers are rolling out, the White House is launching its own messaging effort -- reaching out to Democrats and Republicans, high-ranking officials and lawmakers -- to get people to sign up for coverage through the overhaul's new online health insurance exchanges.

7 Jun 2013

No easy answers about health law's impact on full-time jobs

CQ Health Beat parses conflicting data on whether the health law may be spurring employers to keep workers part-time. Meanwhile, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, questions whether the projections of rising health insurance subsidy costs may be due to employers dumping coverage. News outlets also offer reports on health exchanges from Connecticut, Maryland, Colorado and California.

7 Jun 2013

ODH hosts symposium on ‘Health Information Exchanges’ for research and public health improvement

Today, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine's Weatherhead Institute for Family Medicine and Community Health are hosting the second annual Ohio Health Data Symposium, a meeting for research and public health experts. The collaboration's theme is "Health Information Exchanges: Opportunities for Research and Public Health Improvement."

7 Jun 2013

Longer looks: Obamacare explained; the dark side of medical school; tatoos removed

Whether you love it, hate it or are just plain confused, the ACA is the law of the land. The thousand-page law covers a lot of ground and figuring out what part of it has to do with you can be a challenge.

7 Jun 2013

Employers sometimes consider costs of hiring smokers

NPR: That Employee Who Smokes Costs The Boss $5,800 A Year Smoking is expensive, and not just for the person buying the cigs. Employers are taking hard looks at the cost of employing smokers as they try to cut health insurance costs, with some refusing to hire people who say they smoke.

6 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 6, 2013

Today's headlines include a report about a new poll showing public uneasiness is increasing in regard to the health law. At the same time, the White House is stepping up its efforts encourage people to enroll in the health coverage the will be available as a result of the overhaul.

6 Jun 2013

State highlights: Conn. bill would maintain coverage for low-income parents; Wis. may pay hospitals for uninsured care; Is hospital data sale a risk to patient privacy?

The House of Representatives adopted an omnibus bill Tuesday to implement numerous social service policy changes in the next state budget, including the end of a health coverage program launched by former Gov. M. Jodi Rell to help the uninsured. One thing it doesn't change: Medicaid eligibility for low-income parents. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy had proposed restricting eligibility for the program, a move that would have caused an estimated 37,500 parents to lose Medicaid coverage (Phaneuf and Becker, 6/4).

6 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: Kasich on what would Reagan do about Medicaid; The need for more doctors

Leaders in the states that have decided against expanding (Medicaid) have often invoked Reagan conservatism as the reason to oppose extending Medicaid health care coverage to more people. After all, doesn't (Ronald) Reagan embody modern conservatism? He cut taxes, cut government red tape and fought the growth of entitlements. Yes, he did all those things. However, he also expanded Medicaid, not just once but several times (Ohio Gov. John Kasich, 6/2).

6 Jun 2013

The big question for health marketplaces: How much will insurance cost?

Stateline examines the factors that affect pricing on the online marketplaces. News outlets also report on recent developments in California and Washington, D.C.

6 Jun 2013

Sebelius defends phone calls to urge outreach support

At a House hearing Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she did not seek funds from companies, but did ask them to support the outreach efforts of Enroll America, a nonprofit group. She told panel members she made five calls on behalf of the organization.

6 Jun 2013

Law center presses for health plans to provide pregnancy coverage for dependents

The National Women's Law Center filed complaints with the Department of Health and Human Services against a number of businesses and universities that don't include pregnancy coverage for dependents in their health plans. The Center contends that this is a violation of the health law.

6 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 5, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the questions about fundraising phone calls faced by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius during a Capitol Hill hearing.

5 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: Calif., Oregon exchanges curb premiums with limited networks; Why the U.S. pays so much for health care

A closer examination of these health plans (to be offered on the California and Oregon exchanges) reveals a less rosy picture. Although the premiums are lower than some anticipated, this has been achieved by designing the plans around much more limited provider networks and including greater cost-sharing than the typical commercial health-insurance plan. The premiums for the policies that will be offered on the states' exchanges are much higher than analogous plans being sold today (Daniel P. Kessler, 6/3).

5 Jun 2013

State highlights: Ore. mental health could see expansion, Calif. lawmakers take up health law 'loophole'; N.Y. abortion proposal hits obstacles

When Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward walked into a committee meeting, she didn't plan to reveal to the world that she has suffered from major depression for 15 years. "If I go two days without taking my medication, I can't walk in the door of this building," Steiner Hayward, D-Beaverton, told colleagues. "I can't get up in the morning. I can't take a shower. I can't function as a normal human being." Steiner Hayward is coming forward as a public voice for mental health at a time when Oregon lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 823, which would significantly expand mental health care in Oregon (Zheng, 6/3).

5 Jun 2013

Rubio proposes constitutional amendment to invalidate the health law's individual mandate

In other Capitol Hill action, the House approved a measure on Monday to set out how the government should track prescription drugs through the distribution chain.

5 Jun 2013

Health Insurance News and Research

Costs and coverage: Trying to discern who will experience health law gains or feel its pinch

Obama touts early success for health law in California

Viewpoints: 'Reasonable' debate about health law's 'rate shock; 'absurdity' of Sebelius' account of fund raising; Obama killed the grand bargain

State decisions on Medicaid expansion deepen health care divide

First Edition: June 7, 2013

Poll finds health law's support sliding

No easy answers about health law's impact on full-time jobs

ODH hosts symposium on ‘Health Information Exchanges’ for research and public health improvement

Longer looks: Obamacare explained; the dark side of medical school; tatoos removed

Employers sometimes consider costs of hiring smokers

First Edition: June 6, 2013

State highlights: Conn. bill would maintain coverage for low-income parents; Wis. may pay hospitals for uninsured care; Is hospital data sale a risk to patient privacy?

Viewpoints: Kasich on what would Reagan do about Medicaid; The need for more doctors

The big question for health marketplaces: How much will insurance cost?

Sebelius defends phone calls to urge outreach support

Law center presses for health plans to provide pregnancy coverage for dependents

First Edition: June 5, 2013

Viewpoints: Calif., Oregon exchanges curb premiums with limited networks; Why the U.S. pays so much for health care

State highlights: Ore. mental health could see expansion, Calif. lawmakers take up health law 'loophole'; N.Y. abortion proposal hits obstacles

Rubio proposes constitutional amendment to invalidate the health law's individual mandate

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