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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

Medicare cuts, competing views on overhaul keep health issues hot in campaign

"Obamacare cuts Medicare - cuts Medicare - by approximately $500 billion," Mr. Romney has told audiences. That is a reprise of Republicans' mantra of the 2010 midterm elections, which gave them big gains at both the state and federal levels and a majority in the House.

8 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

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

After court ruling, public opinion still divided on health law

A fresh wave of public opinion polls has been released in the last few days, measuring Americans' views of the Supreme Court and its decision to uphold most of the health care law. The surveys found Americans divided over the ruling, as they have been over the law since its enactment in 2010.

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

State roundup: Calif., Oregon grappling with insurance rate increases; Kansas (almost) ready to launch health info network

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones denied Blue Shield of California's plan to close several of its health policies to new customers, saying it violated state rules designed to protect consumers from large rate increases. ... Blue Shield, a nonprofit insurer with 3.3 million members statewide, had proposed closing off new enrollment on 22 health plans with about 152,000 customers.

6 Jul 2012

Medicaid expansion draws mixed reaction from states

In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling making the law's Medicaid expansion optional, some state officials say they will opt out because they cannot afford even 10 percent of the program's costs. Others, though, are moving forward.

4 Jul 2012

New round of polls shows Americans are ready to move on

A mix of early poll results shows that, though the Supreme Court's decision didn't quiet the partisan feelings associated with the health law, many people want the battle over the sweeping overhaul to stop. Additionally, the ruling does not appear to have impacted opinions regarding the race for the White House.

4 Jul 2012

State roundup: Mass. health law success; Penn. Medicaid cut reversed

Massachusetts has the nation's highest rate of residents with health insurance. Visits to emergency rooms are beginning to ease. More residents are getting cancer screenings and more women are making prenatal doctors' visits. Still, one of the biggest challenges for the state lies ahead: reining in spiraling costs.

4 Jul 2012

Viewpoints: Coherent GOP plan for health care; Dems need better 'sales pitch' for health law

Hostility toward the Supreme Court has risen sharply since Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. upheld the Obama health care law. People are apparently angry that the court didn't rid them of a law they detest. But that's silly. If Americans want to replace this thing, they should do it themselves. ... Moreover, there are alternatives. Despite what you've read, there is a coherent Republican plan.

4 Jul 2012

Rutgers explains significance of Supreme Court upholding the health care law

The Supreme Court upheld the core of President Obama's health care overhaul, ruling that the government can require all Americans to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty.

2 Jul 2012

Running down the varied state reaction to the health law decision

State leaders reacted to the Supreme Court health law decision in varied ways: Some hailed the decision as a victory for everyday Americans while others warned the decision will harm citizens. Still others, however, including Va. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, saw a mixed bag.

30 Jun 2012

Most health care firms expect to benefit from health law

The court's decision to uphold the law is expected to help nearly every corner of the health care industry, The Associated Press reports. But other outlets also note that insurers are concerned about new rules.

30 Jun 2012

How the Medicaid ruling is playing in the states

State officials offer views on their newfound options regarding the health law's Medicaid expansion. Also, news outlets report on how many people might become eligible for Medicaid and at what cost.

30 Jun 2012

GOP leaders react to ruling by renewing pledges to repeal the health law

From Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney to key House and Senate leaders, the call to repeal the sweeping health overhaul came loud and clear in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision largely upholding it.

29 Jun 2012

Setting the scene: The Supreme Court's health law ruling

With a ruling expected soon after the justices take the bench at 10 a.m., speculation focuses not only on what its various elements will be, but how the various players will spin them.

29 Jun 2012

Stanford Medical School comment on Supreme Court ruling on health-care reform law

Today’s Supreme Court ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 advances the broad effort to extend health-care coverage and control medical costs, though it raises questions about how certain provisions of the policy will be implemented, Stanford University School of Medicine experts said. Here are some initial comments on the court’s landmark decision.

29 Jun 2012

Home care association responds to Supreme Court’s decision on Affordable Care Act

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act. The following is the National Association for Home Care & Hospice’s (NAHC) official statement, from President Val J. Halamandaris:

29 Jun 2012

Decision anticipation: Everyone is looking for clues, and making plans for what comes next

News outlets are examining the high court's decisions earlier this week to find signals of what to expect in tomorrow's health law decision. Meanwhile, the White House, congressional Democrats and Republicans, lobbyists, and even the general public offer glimpses of their views.

28 Jun 2012