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California budget triggers concerns about health care safety net

The shift of patients from the state's Healthy Families program into Medi-Cal has caused questions from some health advocates.

25 Jun 2012

Waiting for the word

Anticipation regarding the Supreme Court's health law decision -- expected this week and possibly even today -- has created a guessing-game situation in Washington. News outlets report on both the preparations being made and the reasons why this decision, and the challenge behind it, are historic and important.

25 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 25, 2012

Today's headlines are focused on analysis and speculation surrounding the Supreme Court's health law ruling, which could come as early as today.

25 Jun 2012

GOP weekly address blasts health law

President Barack Obama advocated for his jobs package while Rep. Bill Cassidy argued against the health reform law as they stood by their parties' positions Saturday during their weekly addresses. Obama called on Congress to pass a transportation bill, expand access to college and fund infrastructure projects. Cassidy, a (Louisiana) Republican, argued that the health reform law signed by Obama in 2010 had an effect of "driving up health care costs, making it harder for small businesses to hire workers."

25 Jun 2012

Inova, Aetna partner to establish Innovation Health Plans in Northern Virginia

Inova Health System and Aetna today announced an exclusive partnership to establish Innovation Health Plans, a jointly owned health plan serving Northern Virginia, including more than 1.1 million residents currently served by Inova.

23 Jun 2012

State news: Conn. taps former Mass. official for health exchange

Merger talks between two of New York City's biggest hospital systems - NYU Langone Medical Center and Continuum Health Partners - broke down abruptly on Thursday after Continuum got a competing offer, officials said. The offer came from Mount Sinai Medical Center.

23 Jun 2012

HHS says health insurers will pay beneficiaries $1.1 billion in rebates

Under the health law, insurance companies must use at least 80 percent of premiums on medical care. Any excess is owed back to customers.

23 Jun 2012

Ill. Gov. signs bill requiring retired state workers to pay health premiums

Retired public employees will now have to chip in for the cost of their health insurance -- on a scale based on their income -- after Gov. Pat Quinn approved legislation Thursday.

23 Jun 2012

'Rest of the country should take a good look at the situation in Texas'

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, Roni Caryn Rabin writes: They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the problem of the uninsured is no exception. The Houston metropolitan area has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in America, and a health safety net imploding under the demands of too many people and too few resources.

23 Jun 2012

High court's health law ruling likely to renew debate on range of issues

News outlets report on what's at stake in terms of politics and policies when the Supreme Court issues its health law decision.

23 Jun 2012

Viewpoints: Berwick says health law puts system 'on the right track;' Mandate's effect overstated; Questions about Axelrod's ties

Obamacare is helping our nation achieve health care that is excellent, accessible to all and affordable. In the 17 months that I led the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), I saw how this law is helping tens of millions of families and is finally putting our health-care system on the right track.

23 Jun 2012

Likely 'decision day' moves to next week

Indications are the Supreme Court's much-anticipated ruling on the health law may come on Wednesday or Thursday. However, the court is also scheduled to hand down decisions on Monday.

22 Jun 2012

Calif. budget cuts will move 880,000 kids to Medi-Cal managed care

Among a series of budget cuts to help California Gov. Jerry Brown close that state's budget deficit is a cut to a health care program for 880,000 low-income kids, who will be shifted to Medi-Cal after the state shutters its "Healthy Families" program.

22 Jun 2012

Longer looks: Alzheimer's researcher turns to drug she helped invent

Given her relatively young age, Dr. Rae Lyn Burke didn't think much about her family history of Alzheimer's disease -- a grandmother and an aunt had suffered from it, but they were much older. Ironically, Burke was just in her late 50s when she started having her own symptoms of early onset Alzheimer's. Even more ironic is that Burke had been one of the key developers of the Alzheimer's drug bapineuzumab, which she now takes herself to reduce the progression of the disease in her own brain.

22 Jun 2012

Life after the decision

Some organizations, such as Dick Armey's FreedomWorks, are preparing to celebrate if the Supreme Court finds the health law unconstitutional. Meanwhile, the National Federation of Independent Business, which is one of the law's challengers, is working on very official and strategic responses. Insurers are working on their images.

22 Jun 2012

States wonder: What happens to us after health law ruling?

States are anxiously considering the effect of the pending court decision. In Florida, Gov. Rick Scott says his state will comply with the health law if it is upheld. And in California, officials and lawmakers worry over what a ruling could mean for plans to institute consumer protections.

22 Jun 2012

Supreme Court spotlight: What Medicaid changes might result from the ruling?

There is a lot at stake for Medicaid's future, as the court weighs a challenge to the program's expansion. Some states, though, pledge to move forward regardless of the decision.

22 Jun 2012

Some small businesses frustrated by health insurance tax-credit rules

The Wall Street Journal reports on how the health law's small business tax credit is working, while The Washington Post examines insurance rebates to consumers.

22 Jun 2012

Most health insurance may be sold through exchanges within five years

Connecture, Inc., the leader in sales automation technology for the health insurance industry, today shared the results of a survey conducted on the exhibit hall floor of AHIP's Institute 2012 conference last night and this morning.

22 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 22, 2012

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, Roni Caryn Rabin writes: "They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the problem of the uninsured is no exception. The Houston metropolitan area has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in America, and a health safety net imploding under the demands of too many people and too few resources.

22 Jun 2012