Pear News and Research

RSS

First Edition: June 23, 2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news stories about healthcare.gov management changes.

23 Jun 2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a new poll of showing a majority of those signing up for marketplace plans had been uninsured before and the Obama administration's decision to extend marriage benefits, including family leave, to same-sex couples.

20 Jun 2014

Health law bumps in the road: Subsidy eligibility questions, Medi-Cal asset seizure, health literacy

Obamacare programs designed to help people are running into problems concerning how much money people have when they get covered.

17 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 16, 2014

Today's headlines include more analysis of the events that led to a resolution of Virginia's budget impasse and Gov. Terry McAuliffe's hope to expand Medicaid.

16 Jun 2014

Under health law, states serve as testing grounds for innovation

Media outlets report on a range of issues related to the measure's implementation, including how some states are finding opportunities in the overhaul to pursue their own health system changes.

10 Jun 2014

Cosgrove withdraws his name from consideration for top job at the VA

Cleveland Clinic CEO Dr. Delos M. Cosgrove said that, though he seriously considered the position, he did not feel he could step away from his commitments at the clinic.

9 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 9, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about efforts on the state level and within the health care system to address health care costs and advance other system reforms.

9 Jun 2014

Senate OKs Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be next HHS secretary

The Senate confirmed Burwell's nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services 78 to 17, with only Republicans casting votes against her.

9 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 6, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about the Senate confirmation of Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

6 Jun 2014

Health law costs embroil union negotiations

Costs associated with the health law are snarling contract negotiations around the country and causing problems for the infamous farm workers union health plan.

28 May 2014

First Edition: May 27, 2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the health law's effect on unions and hospitals and a new IRS ruling designed to keep employers from dumping workers onto the law's online marketplaces.

27 May 2014

Under health law, some hospitals cutting charity care

Several hospital systems around the country are scaling back assistance for lower income patients who lack health care, The New York Times reports. Meanwhile, some safety-net hospitals say they are already seeing fewer uninsured patients because of the coverage expansion in the health law.

26 May 2014

Obama, under increasing pressure on VA, promises accountability after internal review

As outrage grows about allegations of wrongdoing at VA facilities around the country, the president sticks by VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, at least for now.

23 May 2014

First Edition: May 22, 2014

Today's headlines include coverage of the Senate Finance Committee vote to recommend Sylvia Mathews Burwell to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

22 May 2014

Study: Medicaid patients' health could impact health law's bottom line

The New York Times reports on a news study concluding that Medicaid surgery patients ultimately cost more than those on private insurance -- a finding that may foreshadow what happens as the Medicaid rolls grow under the health law.

20 May 2014

First Edition: May 19, 2014

Today's headlines include a report about federal health care subsidies and an update on states small business health exchanges.

19 May 2014

Confirmation path appears smooth for Obama pick to take the helm at HHS

Sylvia Mathews Burwell received a friendly reception from both sides of the aisle during her second confirmation hearing, during which she pledged to try to recoup any taxpayer funds that may have been misused on flawed state websites and defended the "unilateral" changes the Aministration has made to the health law.

16 May 2014

First Edition: May 15, 2014

Today's headlines include highlights from Wednesday's Senate confirmation hearing -- the second one -- for Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the White House pick to become the next Health and Human Services Secretary.

15 May 2014

Republicans seek end to health law tax on medical devices

Also, two Republicans want states with failed health insurance exchanges to pay back the money the federal government gave them to start the marketplaces. Elsewhere, abortion rights groups push against a proposed ban on the procedure, and the parties debate over the prevalence of canceled health plans.

15 May 2014

Obama's pick to head HHS draws praise from Democrats and Republicans during first confirmation hearing

Sylvia Mathews Burwell, who has been nominated by the White House to become the next Health and Human Services secretary, also faced tough questions about the health law's implementation and the trouble-plagued healthcare.gov. Her answers revealed some policy positions and what her priorities will be if she wins the Senate's OK.

12 May 2014