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Viewpoints: Look who's worried about activist judges now; No matter what the court decides, a bipartisan plan will be needed

It's a great pleasure, in this week when the entire political world is hanging on the Supreme Court's health care ruling, to welcome so many liberals to a cause dear to my heart: The crusade for judicial restraint.

28 Jun 2012

How far will the ruling reach?

What the Supreme Court decides will impact the billions of dollars that have already been spent to implement the measure, as well as consumers, employers, small businesses, the health care industry, the insurance marketplace, and, of course, politics and K Street.

27 Jun 2012

First Edition: June 26, 2012

Today's headlines include reports setting the scene for Thursday's Supreme Court decision that will determine the health law's future.

26 Jun 2012

Congressional eyes focused on the high court

Depending on how the decision shakes out, funding provided for the health law would be fair game during a time marked by difficult budget choices. Meanwhile, the GOP stays steady on its pledge to repeal the health law, or whatever remains of it.

26 Jun 2012

States offer test kitchen for health law theme of coverage expansion

Some state programs will continue, regardless of the high court's finding. Still, the various Supreme Court scenarios that could play out would cause some rethinking of state-level reform approaches.

26 Jun 2012

What happens after the court decides?

Heartbreak at the White House? More debate? The contingency plans? News reports include speculation about the policy and political impact of the high court's decision. Also, examinations have already begun regarding what could have been done differently.

26 Jun 2012

Awaiting a court decision: Would consumers love the law if they suddenly lose it?; The market can fix health care

I still harbor the perhaps naïve hope that some conservative justices -- Anthony Kennedy? John Roberts? - will pull back from judicial activism and allow the voters to decide the fate of the health-care law in this fall's elections. And here is where the court's reintroduction of the health-care issue into the political debate could be turned into a blessing by allies of reform, provided they take advantage of the opportunity to do what they have never done adequately up to now. They need, finally, to describe and defend the law and what it does.

26 Jun 2012

The stakes of the decision

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that though most Americans continue to oppose the health law, they support many of its provisions. Meanwhile, news outlets continue to report on what the impact would be -- both in terms of people and the markets -- if the law is overturned and these provisions are rolled back.

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

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

Jarrett says White House will be prepared if court strikes health law

Valerie Jarrett wouldn't give details Saturday on the Obama administration's plans if its health care law is struck down. ... "We will be prepared," the White House senior adviser said of the pending Supreme Court ruling on the health care law, at the National Association of Black Journalists convention here. "We want to give the Supreme Court the room to make their decision."

25 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

Medicaid highlights: Calif. readies expansion to foster youths

State Medicaid news includes discussions around the expansion of Medicaid in California both for the general public who need assistance and for youth in foster care. Additionally, Oregon is close to finalizing its waiver request with the federal government to move forward with its own reforms in the program.

23 Jun 2012

CMMI to honor MultiCultural IPA with healthcare innovation award

MultiCultural IPA announced today that it is one of four project sites selected to receive a healthcare innovation award by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and will partner with Rutgers State University of New Jersey to create a "sustainable high-utilization team model" for the nation's "super users" of hospital care in an effort to decrease hospital inpatient and emergency department use.

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

Boehner: Don't gloat if Supreme Court strikes health law down

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has told fellow Republicans in a memo released Thursday to avoid "spiking the ball" if the Supreme Court strikes down the health law.

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

New report tallies death rates among people who lack health insurance

The report, released by Families USA, concluded that each year more than 26,000 working-age U.S. adults die prematurely because they lack health insurance.

22 Jun 2012