Democratic governors see political advantage in efforts to implement the health law

News coverage of issues related to state health exchange readiness and premium costs could boost Democrats in some states.

The Associated Press/Washington Post: Democratic Governors Fret About Health Care Law, But Say Readiness Favors Them in 2014
Democratic governors say they are nervous about getting the new federal health care law implemented but add they will be better positioned in next year's elections than many of their Republican counterparts who have resisted the far-reaching and politically polarizing measure. Several of the 12 Democratic governors shared that sense of nervousness-veiled-by-optimism at the National Governors Association meeting Saturday in Milwaukee (8/3).

Kaiser Health News: State Premium Watch: Pricing In The New Insurance Marketplaces
While individual consumers may not learn what premiums will be offered to them until the launch of the marketplaces, also called exchanges, a growing number of states have released their approved 2014 premiums and other details about individual and small group insurance plans that will available. Those rates do not take into account the federal tax credits that many people will be eligible for. In addition, the federal government must give final approval to the plans in September (Galewitz, 8/4).

Reuters: Analysis: In Obamacare Rate Debate, Price Gets Political
With the October 1 date for enrollment in the health insurance exchanges being created by Obamacare less than two months away, a war of numbers has been escalating. Health insurance will cost way less. Or it will cost way more. It depends who you ask (Humer, 8/5).

The Washington Post: Contractors Hoping To Win Work Marketing Health Care Options
With the technical part of building state and federal health insurance exchanges mostly complete, contractors are now hoping to find work communicating with potential customers. Companies from Adobe to Maximus are looking to work that will involve first-hand interaction with citizens, meaning they must prepare to combat misinformation and boil down complex decisions (Censer, 8/2).