OCT News and Research

RSS

Federal officials, contractors give health exchange 'data hub' thumbs up

Several contractors gave positive reports about their readiness to launch the health law's new online marketplaces Oct. 1 at a House hearing Tuesday, although one expert predicted a "rocky start," and several Republicans said they were not reassured.

12 Sep 2013

Big changes for addiction treatment predicted under Obamacare

An estimated 40 million people could enter treatment because the health law recognizes drug addiction and alcoholism as chronic diseases that must be covered by insurance plans, according to the California Health Report.

12 Sep 2013

First Edition: September 11, 2013

Today's headlines include reports that some House GOP lawmakers are taking a hard line against funding for the health law in the ongoing debate about raising the nation's debt limit.

11 Sep 2013

The health law could add an extra pinch at tax time for some consumers

The Wall Street Journal reports that some people who receive government help to buy coverage could find they owe Uncle Sam money at tax time. Meanwhile, a new online poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos examines the question of whether young, unisured people will buy into the health law's new insurance offerings.

11 Sep 2013

GOP readies plan to fund gov't, force Dems to vote on defunding Obamacare

House Republicans are planning to help pass a stopgap measure funding the federal government, but they also plan to force Democrats in the Senate to vote on defunding the health law in the process.

11 Sep 2013

Health law fact-checking and helpful hints

News outlets examine claims about the health law, including the "five top myths that refuse to die." They also provide consumer information about the next stage of implementation -- the open enrollment period that begins Oct. 1 for online insurance marketplaces in every state.

11 Sep 2013

First Edition: September 10, 2013

Today's headlines include reports from Capitol Hill about the GOP strategy to link debate of a stopgap spending bill to keep the government operating to efforts to defund the health law.

10 Sep 2013

Sen. Barrasso warns of health insurance marketplace cost 'sticker shock'

The former orthopedic surgeon from Wyoming also warned that the law is too expensive and used the weekly GOP address Saturday to push for its repeal.

10 Sep 2013

Seniors can ignore new health insurance marketplaces

Officials are reminding those on Medicare that they don't need to sign up for health insurance coverage in Obamacare's marketplaces starting Oct. 1. In the meantime, a new study says Rochester, N.Y., has the lowest Medicare spending, and the notion of investing a portion of the money in your Health Savings Account gains steam.

10 Sep 2013

HHS readies $12M ad campaign to promote health law in 13 states

The advertisements, which will begin airing Sept. 30, will encourage consumers in a group of predominately red states to sign up for insurance available through the health law's new online marketplaces.

7 Sep 2013

For health exchanges, will soft launches lead to hard landings?

CQ HealthBeat examines whether the new online insurance marketplaces will be ready to go on Oct. 1, and what possible delays might emerge and how those delays could impact the exchanges' effectiveness. Also in the headlines, reports from Delaware, Kentucky, Washington, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia.

7 Sep 2013

First Edition: September 6, 2013

Today's headlines include a report on the White House's proposal about how to gather information that would allow the government to enforce the employer mandate, which requires companies with 50 or more workers to provide affordable health insurance to their full-time employees.

6 Sep 2013

Bill Clinton delivers speech to dispel health law confusion, urge enrollment

The former president -- dubbed the "explainer in chief" -- spoke from his presidential library in Arkansas to drum up support for the overhaul and scold Republicans for their efforts to repeal it.

6 Sep 2013

GOP lawmakers' request for info about navigators may slow process

Meanwhile, in regard to a separate issue, West Virginia's attorney general is criticizing the Department of Health and Human Services for not responding to questions about navigator privacy concerns.

6 Sep 2013

First Edition: September 5, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about former President Bill Clinton -- dubbed the "explainer in chief" -- drumming up support for the health law and scolding Republicans for their efforts to repeal it.

5 Sep 2013

Ontario researchers develop evidence-based recommendations for lung cancer screening

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in Ontario. Screening for lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography has been the subject of many research studies since the 1990s. The National Lung Screening Trial compared LDCT with chest radiograph in high-risk populations and found a 20 percent reduction in lung cancer mortality at 6 years with LDCT after an initial scan and two annual rounds of screening.

5 Sep 2013

Rural poor likely to feel the pinch of state decisions not to expand Medicaid

Economist says half of the rural poor who would be aided by expansion live in states that have opted not to take that step.

4 Sep 2013

Health law spurs concerns from administration allies, as well as enemies

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, continues his battle to undo the health law, while a House Democrat from the deep South angers both sides of the political aisle. In other news, labor unions are frustrated the administration hasn't responded to their Obamacare concerns, while Republicans in tough re-election fights are wary of accepting big premium support to buy insurance in the exchanges.

4 Sep 2013

Policies, operations taking shape for online insurance marketplaces

Three states plan to open call centers today to aid consumers in finding their way around new health exchanges, slated to start business on Oct. 1. Meanwhile, in Alaska, federal officials and local organizations are working to try to get a marketplace up and running before this deadline, and California's marketplace offers more details about premium rates for coverage that will be available.

4 Sep 2013