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Viewpoints: Daschle says health law still has 4 hurdles; Commentators from states such as Calif., Texas and Florida wrestle with options

The GOP-controlled U.S. House plans to hold what can only be called symbolic votes on repealing the sweeping reforms they deride as "Obamacare." Meanwhile, at least 15 governors are said to be leaning toward refusing to expand state Medicaid programs -- a key part of the reform's strategy to provide some form of health insurance to the 32 million people now going without coverage.

10 Jul 2012

Humana acquires national chronic-care provider, SeniorBridge

Humana Inc. announced today it has completed its acquisition of SeniorBridge, a national chronic-care provider best known for providing in-home care management and caregiving services for seniors.

9 Jul 2012

For states, High Court's Medicaid ruling creates choices, makes waves

States are responding to the court's decision in varying ways. Some interpretations are leading states to pare back their existing Medicaid programs, according to the Wall Street Journal. Others find themselves in limbo.

9 Jul 2012

Regnite to treat primary restless legs syndrome launched in Japan

Astellas Pharma Inc. and XenoPort, Inc. announced today that Regnite (gabapentin enacarbil) Extended-Release Tablets will be launched in Japan on July 10, 2012. Regnite is approved in Japan for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary restless legs syndrome (RLS).

9 Jul 2012

First Edition: July 9, 2012

Kaiser Health News "Insuring Your Health" columnist Michelle Andrews answers a reader question about doctors who charge extra fees for more personalized care.

9 Jul 2012

Robot assists in complex uro surgery for pediatric patient

Pediatric specialists of Apollo Hospitals successfully completed a complex surgery on the bladder base of a 7 year old child from Africa with the assistance of a Robot. The child's urethra, the tube from the urinary bladder, was crushed in a road accident.

7 Jul 2012

Roundup: Feds rank Texas last in health care delivery; Mass. health care costs eat almost 43 percent of state budget

Texas ranked dead last in the federal government's latest report card on the delivery of health services, falling short in areas ranging from acute hospital care to home treatment of the chronically ill. Texas scored 31.61 -- less than half of top-ranked Minnesota's 67.31 -- out of a possible 100 points in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality annual rankings.

7 Jul 2012

Viewpoints: Romney's mandate problem; Rage at Roberts; Should feds take over Medicaid?

Massachusetts residents who file a state tax return have to provide proof that they have health insurance. If they can afford insurance but don't have it, they must "pay a penalty through their tax returns," according to the state Department of Revenue's Web site.

7 Jul 2012

Obama, on campaign swing, says health law 'here to stay'

On a bus tour in Ohio, the president touts his health overhaul, adding he was willing to work with critics to improve the legislation that requires most Americans to purchase health care.

7 Jul 2012

State officials pursue divergent paths on health law

Missouri Republicans aim to bar the Democratic governor, or the federal goverment, from setting up an insurance exchange without approval of voters or state legislators, while in Massachusetts, which implemented the prototype of the federal law, 44,000 residents pay fines for not carrying insurance.

7 Jul 2012

Obama assails Romney for shift on mandate

President Barack Obama questions whether Republican Mitt Romney's view that the mandate is a tax is "abandoning a principle" because of pressure from critics. Romney's campaign says he hasn't changed his views, and that the mandate is different on a federal level.

7 Jul 2012

Health gains in Rwanda illustrate value of universal health insurance

Noting that the Supreme Court last week upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, "mov[ing] the United States closer to the goal of health coverage for all," Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tina Rosenberg reports on health care coverage in Rwanda in this post in the New York Times' "Opinionator" blog.

7 Jul 2012

Hospital officials concerned about growing state interest in opting out of Medicaid expansion

As Republican-led states mull the possibility of not expanding their programs under the health law, news outlets look at who would be affected.

7 Jul 2012

First Edition: July 6, 2012

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including President Barack Obama's defense of the health law on the campaign trail and an examination of how Mitt Romney viewed the Massachusetts requirement for health insurance.

6 Jul 2012

Employers eye defined contribution health coverage

In other news on health care marketplace issues, TriWest loses its challenge to the Pentagon's new contract for military health care, and researchers find prices increasing for children's care.

6 Jul 2012

Doctor groups sue Aetna, insurer says it's retaliation

In their lawsuit, California physicians claim Aetna is unfair to patients getting care outside of preferred-provider networks. The company says the suit is payback for Aetna's own suit alleging corruption earlier this year.

6 Jul 2012

It's not over: More legal challenges loom over health law

Legal challenges on the health law's contraception mandate and a new Medicare panel could make for more health law fireworks.

6 Jul 2012

A look at how health policy positions can be politically sold, accurate or not

Marketing experts tackle health policy messaging, as the president campaigns for an ally and news organizations fact-check political claims.

6 Jul 2012

Court ruling could let states cut Medicaid rolls; More states weigh opting out of expansion

The Supreme Court decision overturning the requirement that states expand their Medicaid programs is whipping up strong emotions in some state capitals.

6 Jul 2012

Viewpoints: The Medicaid expansion 'dilemma;' Mandate not the only health tax the GOP backed

Full-time employment is a major reason that able-bodied adults would have incomes above 133 percent of the federal poverty level. If carried out, this expansion is expected to reduce full-time employment among able-bodied adults, because they would no longer need to be employed full time to obtain health insurance.

6 Jul 2012