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Next battles over Obamacare predicted to be ugliest yet

CNN reports that the White House and Republicans are preparing for an "epic battle" over the selling of Obamacare tied to the opening of online insurance marketplaces Oct. 1. Other news outlets describe how GOP lawmakers are increasingly calling for an independent probe of HHS Secretary Sebelius.

1 Jun 2013

Administration says online insurance marketplaces will have robust competition

The new health care law is injecting more competition into health insurance markets nationwide, drawing additional insurance companies into states long dominated by a few carriers, Obama administration officials said Thursday. Such competition offers the prospect of more choices for millions of consumers who will be shopping for insurance this fall. Companies entering the market could also put downward pressure on prices, partly offsetting factors that tend to increase premiums (Pear, 5/30).

1 Jun 2013

First Edition: May 31, 2013

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports from the administration about the number of insurers that will be offering policies on the new online marketplaces.

31 May 2013

Medicaid expansion: Arizona foes look to voter referendum, brewing fight in N.H.

Meanwhile, Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown seeks to expand Medi-Cal and New Hampshire lawmakers set up a fight over the expansion.

31 May 2013

Calif. Senate OKs measure expanding nurse practitioners' role

California lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow nurse practitioners to practice more independently amid worries over a shortage of health care providers. The bill would allow the practitioners to have stand-alone practices, among other things.

30 May 2013

Sebelius' actions under microscope as she rolls out health law

News outlets report how Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has become a "lightning rod" for criticism as the administration's central player responsible for implementing the high-stakes law.

29 May 2013

Partisan politics, public distrust thwart efforts to carry out health law

The New York Times reports that partisan gridlock will likely prevent Congress from making even small adjustments. Meanwhile, a CNN poll finds that a majority of Americans continue to oppose the measure, which adds to the Obama administration's challenge of selling it to the public.

29 May 2013

CEO of Comprehensive Care named to 'America's Agenda: Health Care for All' board

Comprehensive Care Corporation, a leading behavioral health, substance abuse and pharmacy management provider for employers, Taft-Hartley health and welfare funds, and managed care companies, announced today that its Chairman and CEO, Clark A. Marcus , has been named to the Board of Directors of "America's Agenda: Health Care for All."

28 May 2013

Patient preference to participate in decision making is linked with higher hospitalization costs

A survey of almost 22,000 admitted patients at the University of Chicago Medical Center found patient preference to participate in decision making concerning their care was associated with a longer length of stay and higher total hospitalization costs, according to a report published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.

28 May 2013

Obamacare partisan fights affecting public opinion, Capitol Hill, health coverage for poor

News outlets report that as the health law comes closer to full implementation in 2014, the political parties are far apart and likely to stay there, which could affect who gets coverage and how.

28 May 2013

National Sleep Awareness month: ACOEM focuses on the impact of sleep disorders in workplace

In recognition of May as National Sleep Awareness month, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's ongoing awareness campaign to address chronic disease in the workplace is focusing on the impact of sleep disorders on worker health and productivity.

27 May 2013

Calif. unveils tentative price tags for health plans on the exchange

The monthly cost for policies sold on the state-run exchange came in lower than the 30 percent rate increases some had anticipated, though some consumers will still experience sharply higher premiums. Blue Shield of California estimated that current customers would see rate increases of about 13 percent.

27 May 2013

The Hill: Insurers feel pressure to support Enroll America

The Hill reports that unnamed insurance industry sources say they feel that Enroll America, the non-profit group raising funds to support outreach to the uninsured, is "just an arm of the administration." In a separate story, The Hill notes new research concluding the trend toward part-time work and reduced health benefits began before the overhaul.

24 May 2013

Market pressures may keep premiums low as health law kicks in

USA Today reports this optimisitic view is offered by some industry analysts and health insurance officials. Meanwhile, Politico does a status check on the legal challenges to the health law's birth control mandate. News reports also track the latest regarding the Internal Revenue Service controversy and the overhaul.

23 May 2013

Medicaid expansion popular in Southern states, despite govs' opposition

A poll by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies found popular support for this and other health law provisions in five southern states despite the conservative political climate. Meanwhile, expansion supporters are strategizing about their next moves in states where they have not been successful.

23 May 2013

Viewpoints: Slowing health costs; What causes genetic testing to be so expensive; Iowa governor offers Medicaid supports a 'glimmer of hope'

We have done it. We have decreased the increase in the cost of healthcare. ... Is this decline the desperately needed bend in the healthcare cost curve or just the impact of the depressed economy? ... A slower growth of healthcare cost would mean less burden on the individual family, freeing that family to invest in and live a higher quality of life.

22 May 2013

Some GOP lawmakers target HHS Secretary Sebelius for fundraising

The members of Congress are questioning Sebelius' efforts to solicit funds for Enroll America, which is trying to help get people signed up for benefits under the federal health law.

22 May 2013

Democrats push back against claims of health law 'rate shock'

House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats countered GOP claims that the health law is driving up insurance premiums by analyzing initial rate filings in five states.

22 May 2013

Roundup: Okla. governor pushes funding fix to cover 9,000 on Medicaid; Texas lawmakers OK new mental health funds

Gov. Mary Fallin proposed a last-minute legislative change Friday to the state's Insure Oklahoma program that would direct $50 million in state tobacco taxes to pay for more than 9,000 people who are expected to lose their health insurance under the program.

21 May 2013

Employers eye limited plans to avoid health law penalties

The Wall Street Journal reports that "bare-bones" health plans may help some employers avoid the law's fines. Meanwhile, the Journal Sentinel explores how investors are assessing winning or losing stocks as a result of the law's implementation.

21 May 2013

Health Reform News and Research

Next battles over Obamacare predicted to be ugliest yet

Administration says online insurance marketplaces will have robust competition

First Edition: May 31, 2013

Medicaid expansion: Arizona foes look to voter referendum, brewing fight in N.H.

Calif. Senate OKs measure expanding nurse practitioners' role

Sebelius' actions under microscope as she rolls out health law

Partisan politics, public distrust thwart efforts to carry out health law

CEO of Comprehensive Care named to 'America's Agenda: Health Care for All' board

Patient preference to participate in decision making is linked with higher hospitalization costs

Obamacare partisan fights affecting public opinion, Capitol Hill, health coverage for poor

National Sleep Awareness month: ACOEM focuses on the impact of sleep disorders in workplace

Calif. unveils tentative price tags for health plans on the exchange

The Hill: Insurers feel pressure to support Enroll America

Market pressures may keep premiums low as health law kicks in

Medicaid expansion popular in Southern states, despite govs' opposition

Viewpoints: Slowing health costs; What causes genetic testing to be so expensive; Iowa governor offers Medicaid supports a 'glimmer of hope'

Some GOP lawmakers target HHS Secretary Sebelius for fundraising

Democrats push back against claims of health law 'rate shock'

Roundup: Okla. governor pushes funding fix to cover 9,000 on Medicaid; Texas lawmakers OK new mental health funds

Employers eye limited plans to avoid health law penalties

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