Health Insurance News and Research

RSS

First Edition: November 27, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about how increasing the Medicare eligibility age and making other entitlement program changes are a part of the ongoing "fiscal cliff" discourse.

27 Nov 2012

Health law implementation proceeds -- with fits and starts

Even as the election has altered the landscape for lawmakers who hoped to repeal the 2010 health law, some opponents are pressing on with legal challenges. Specific elements of the law, such as its health exchanges, also present logistical and financial issues for the Obama administration.

27 Nov 2012

With administration's support, Supreme Court orders review of 'Obamacare' challenge

The Supreme Court Monday told a lower court to consider several issues left unresolved by the justices' June ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act, in a move backed by the Obama administration.

27 Nov 2012

Study highlights need for patient education on breast density

A survey of women undergoing routine screening mammography found that many of them would be interested in pursuing additional screening tests if notified they had dense breast tissue, despite the possibility of false positives, invasive procedures, and out-of-pocket costs, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

27 Nov 2012

Roundup: Abortion opponents see openings in Ark., Wis.; Dems look to upend Maine GOP health law; Rural health care issues in Texas, Kansas

Abortion opponents in Arkansas see an opportunity to enact new restrictions, including a ban on the use of telemedicine to make the abortion pill available, with Republicans controlling both sides of the Legislature in next year's session. Fresh off an election where Republicans won control of the state House and Senate for the first time in 138 years, GOP lawmakers and anti-abortion groups are now focusing on a handful of bills they believe have a better chance.

26 Nov 2012

Changes in health care deductions soon to kick in

The Wall Street Journal examines key changes in the health insurance marketplace for which consumers should be prepared.

26 Nov 2012

First Edition: November 26, 2012

Today's headlines include a range of stories regarding the future of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations as well as reports about the strategies that might now be used by health law opponents.

26 Nov 2012

Guarded optimism about fiscal cliff deal, could include Medicare changes

As Congress prepares to return this week, the Sunday talk shows included talk of compromise, though there are fears of even more partisan fighting in the next Congress.

26 Nov 2012

Allergies common in ADHD, tic disorder patients

A significant number of people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and tic disorder also have one or more allergic diseases such as asthma or atopic dermatitis, show study results.

23 Nov 2012

Health law provisions still unknown to lots of Americans

After surviving a Supreme Court decision and a presidential election, the Obama administration's health-care law faces another challenge: a public largely unaware of major changes that will roll out in the coming months.

22 Nov 2012

Aetna CEO: Deficit fix rests on slowing health care wasteful spending

Washington lawmakers are still working to avoid the fiscal cliff. That's the expiring of tax cuts at the end of the year and deep spending cuts that could throw the economy into recession.

22 Nov 2012

New rules for 'Obamacare' implementation released - scrutinized by insurers, employers, states, consumers

The Obama administration released new health care regulations Tuesday that preclude insurers from adjusting premiums based on pre-existing or chronic health conditions, tell states what benefits must be included in health exchange plans, and allow employers to reward employees who work to remain healthy.

22 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Protecting us from counterfeit medicines; Governors making excuses on insurance exchanges?; Simpson-Bowles and the health law

HHS has made it clear that after federally operated exchanges are up and running, states may eventually take over operations. This seems like wasted effort. States have the information they need to move on insurance exchanges. Governors who care about fiscal responsibility, strong state government and the basic welfare of their residents would do well to get with the program.

21 Nov 2012

Federal judge grants temporary injunction in Bible publisher's contraception rule challenge

In separate action, another judge ruled against Hobby Lobby's effort to be exempted from the contraception mandate.

21 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Papa John's complaint; Renewed criticism of Justice Roberts; Calif. voters rout food police

If ObamaCare negatively impacts your business, you better not complain about it. That's what Papa John's CEO John Schnatter found out when he announced the health-care law would increase the price of a pizza by up to 14 cents. ... But Papa John's isn't the only restaurant chain to complain that the Affordable Care Act is bad for business.

21 Nov 2012

As administration gears up for 2014 launch of health exchanges, states still wrestling with policy choice

Oklahoma has opted not to proceed with a state-based exchange or with the Medicaid expansion, while Republican governors from Tennessee, Utah and Iowa continue to press the Department of Health and Human Services for more guidance.

21 Nov 2012

Roundup: Larger-than-expected Medicaid enrollment in Conn.; Texas bill renews rural abortion debate; Calif. details exchange self-sufficiency

Ron Harney is still looking for work after being laid off from his marketing firm job three years ago. He's used up nearly all of his savings and says he's grateful for the state's Medicaid program, which covers the medical care he needs to manage his HIV.

20 Nov 2012

GOP governors welcome extension on health exchange decision

Last week was marked by a flurry of state-level activity related to the health law's insurance exchanges: News outlets run down which states have decided to develop their own marketplaces and which will defer to the federal government. A number of states, many with Republican state executives, are still seeking more information.

20 Nov 2012

Studies suggest doctors, dentists can't keep up with health law's insurance expansion

Two studies find that primary-care doctors will be in short supply in the future.

20 Nov 2012

Roundup: Wyo. conservatives ponder election; Ill. Insurer to buy Montana Blues; Calif. nurses plan new strike

But since the election, a blanket of baffled worry has descended on conservatives here like early snow across the plains, deepening a sense that traditional, rural and overwhelmingly white states in the center of the country are losing touch with an increasingly diverse and urban American electorate.

19 Nov 2012

Health Insurance News and Research

First Edition: November 27, 2012

Health law implementation proceeds -- with fits and starts

With administration's support, Supreme Court orders review of 'Obamacare' challenge

Study highlights need for patient education on breast density

Roundup: Abortion opponents see openings in Ark., Wis.; Dems look to upend Maine GOP health law; Rural health care issues in Texas, Kansas

Changes in health care deductions soon to kick in

First Edition: November 26, 2012

Guarded optimism about fiscal cliff deal, could include Medicare changes

Allergies common in ADHD, tic disorder patients

Health law provisions still unknown to lots of Americans

Aetna CEO: Deficit fix rests on slowing health care wasteful spending

New rules for 'Obamacare' implementation released - scrutinized by insurers, employers, states, consumers

Viewpoints: Protecting us from counterfeit medicines; Governors making excuses on insurance exchanges?; Simpson-Bowles and the health law

Federal judge grants temporary injunction in Bible publisher's contraception rule challenge

Viewpoints: Papa John's complaint; Renewed criticism of Justice Roberts; Calif. voters rout food police

As administration gears up for 2014 launch of health exchanges, states still wrestling with policy choice

Roundup: Larger-than-expected Medicaid enrollment in Conn.; Texas bill renews rural abortion debate; Calif. details exchange self-sufficiency

GOP governors welcome extension on health exchange decision

Studies suggest doctors, dentists can't keep up with health law's insurance expansion

Roundup: Wyo. conservatives ponder election; Ill. Insurer to buy Montana Blues; Calif. nurses plan new strike

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Latest News