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First Edition: August 22, 2013

Today's headlines include news reports about how summer politics are shaking out around the health law's implementation.

22 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Did Sen. Cruz get early benefits from Canadian health care?; Medicaid expansion won't work if doctors don't accept patients

Quite without realizing it, apparently, the location of Cruz's birth automatically made him a citizen of our socialist (in healthcare, at least) neighbor to the north. Did his mother receive excellent free medical care under Canada's single-payer healthcare system when her baby was born in Calgary, Alberta, in 1970? Did little Ted, who moved back to the United States with his Cuban-born father and American-born mother when he was 4, get free vaccinations and pediatric care from his Canadian doctors? We'll probably never know (Robin Abcarian, 8/20).

22 Aug 2013

State insurance exchanges go for flashy (or not) branding

New York named its health exchange, complete with new logo and ad. In Idaho, the GOP governor, a vocal opponent of the health law, lauds his state's insurance marketplace. Meanwhile, Florida officials express concerns about the federal exchange's "navigator" concept.

22 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Republican patient takes GOP health message to task; the deadlines the administration has missed

In recent months, President Obama and his subordinates have waived or delayed a number of Obamacare's notable features, such as the law's employer mandate, and its procedures for protecting taxpayers from fraud and identity theft.

21 Aug 2013

Selling the idea of health insurance to 'young invincibles'

The Obama administration is launching a national video contest designed to convince young people to sign up for coverage, spending $30,000 on prizes to draw the YouTube generation.

21 Aug 2013

More states release prices for Obamacare plans

The Associated Press reports that Montana released monthly premiums for health insurance plans that will be sold on that state's exchange while the Connecticut Mirror reports on rates in that state and how the exchange will enable consumers to comparison shop.

21 Aug 2013

State highlights: Fort Worth to move retirees into Medicare advantage plans; Calif. preps Medi-Cal cuts; Calif. bill would help provide medical interpreters

A selection of health policy stories from Texas, California, Maryland, Oregon, Wisconsin, Illinois and Oklahoma.

20 Aug 2013

Rates released for Colorado's online insurance marketplace; MNsure launches Paul Bunyan ad campaign

The Wall Street Journal explains to readers about the two types of health exchanges - run either by the state or federal government - which are scheduled to begin operating on Oct. 1. Other news outlets report on developments regarding these marketplaces in Minnesota, Colorado, Alabama, New Mexico, Oregon and Virginia.

20 Aug 2013

With Medicaid expansion, some people will be newly eligible while others will move to health exchanges

News outlets examine how the Medicaid expansion and other health law changes might reshape the program in various locations across the country.

20 Aug 2013

Health law critics raise privacy concerns about navigator program

Some state attorneys general say the plans for hiring and training navigators don't have enough consumer safeguards.

20 Aug 2013

Detailing the health law's implementation hurdles

Continued opposition to the overhaul is one of the administration's biggest challenges. In addition, many consumers eligible to buy insurance in new online marketplaces still don't understand their benefits and obligations under the law. Meanwhile, insurance companies are gearing up to sell policies.

20 Aug 2013

First Edition: August 19, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how public perceptions and political opposition continue to swirl around the health law's implementation.

19 Aug 2013

Loyola opens Sexual Wellness Clinic in September

Loyola University Health System will open a Sexual Wellness Clinic in September. This program will combine the expertise of various specialists to address common emotional and physical challenges that couples face in their sexual relationships.

19 Aug 2013

State highlights: Pushback by Penn State employees; medical cuts loom; getting nursing care at home

A selection of health policy stories from California, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

17 Aug 2013

HHS awards $67 million in 'Navigator' grants to groups to help consumers with the health law

The grants are part of the health law's outreach and assistance efforts, viewed as linchpins to the law's success.

17 Aug 2013

Sebelius on making the health law work

Key to achieving that goal, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said, are navigators who will help educate the public about the health law's options.

17 Aug 2013

Anticipation leads to questions -- will the health exchanges work?

McClatchy asks the central question: "Will it be smooth sailing or a 'train wreck'?" Meanwhile, other news outlets report on issues such as how experts view the possibility of rate shock when consumers shop for coverage from these online marketplaces, as well as other related developments in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Georgia, Ohio and Colorado.

16 Aug 2013

Tax credits: How much should health exchange shoppers expect?

A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation concludes that about half of the consumers who currently buy their own health insurance would qualify for federal subsidies to purchase coverage on the new online marketplaces.

16 Aug 2013

Mulling the pros and cons of a govt. shutdown

Congressioinal Republicans are at odds about whether they should try to block all funding for the health law's implementation -- even if it triggers a government shutdown. Some say it wouldn't work anyway and might bring with it a high political cost. But a new poll shows blame would likely be split evenly between Democrats and the GOP.

16 Aug 2013

Talking up the health law to educate consumers

News outlets report that a variety of health law advocates -- ranging from federal, state and local officials to retirees and grassroots volunteers -- are hitting the streets and knocking on doors to inform people about the law and counter what some say is "misinformation."

16 Aug 2013