RSSCategory: Health-care Policy

Feds make it easier for states to enroll poor under health law

Feds make it easier for states to enroll poor under health law

The Obama administration will simplify enrollment in Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor, to handle the onslaught of millions of anticipated enrollees next year when the health care law expands coverage.

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May 18, 2013 | By | Reply More
CityClub: Washington businesses and health reform – with lessons from Massachusetts

CityClub: Washington businesses and health reform – with lessons from Massachusetts

What choices will local businesses face with the implementation of health care reform and what can we learn from Massachusetts’ reform experience?

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May 16, 2013 | By | Reply More
Coverage problems could still remain for young adults

Coverage problems could still remain for young adults

Starting next year, young adults will have more options for coverage in addition to their parents’ plans. But despite the expanded choices, some may continue to face problems commonly associated with their age group—coverage for mental health issues, substance abuse and maternity care.

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May 16, 2013 | By | Reply More
Doctors changing how they practice

Doctors changing how they practice

Physicians are experimenting with new business models and practice techniques in response to financial and lifestyle pressures.

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May 15, 2013 | By | Reply More
Health reform law “here to stay” – Obama

Health reform law “here to stay” – Obama

President Barack Obama gave a speech Friday on the health law, and he emphasized his administration’s commitment to moving forward with a full rollout of all the law’s provisions. Here’s the video and a transcript.

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May 12, 2013 | By | Reply More
Community health centers get $150 million to enroll uninsured

Community health centers get $150 million to enroll uninsured

Once upon a time, there were the navigators, then the in-person assisters, and the certified application counselors. Now, add community health centers to the list of individuals and organizations available to help consumers sign up for the new health insurance marketplaces scheduled to open Oct. 1.

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May 11, 2013 | By | Reply More
Oregon’s Medicaid lottery: A patient’s view

Oregon’s Medicaid lottery: A patient’s view

After winning the lottery, Mary Carson, 55, was accepted into the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program, in 2011. She and her partner live with her three children. They earn about $1,000 a month . . .

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May 10, 2013 | By | Reply More
Competition spurs Oregon insurers to lower rates

Competition spurs Oregon insurers to lower rates

Providence Health Plan and Family Care Health Plans sought to lower their rates when they noticed they were out of whack compared to competitors — five months before the health law’s new online marketplaces even open for enrollment.

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May 10, 2013 | By | Reply More
Health perks for top workers could trigger penalties under health law

Health perks for top workers could trigger penalties under health law

Employers who offer more generous benefits to highly paid workers could face $100-a-day fines for every worker who doesn’t get them

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May 9, 2013 | By | Reply More
Medicare data show wide variation in hospital pricing

Medicare data show wide variation in hospital pricing

For the first time anybody can get an idea of what their hospitals are billing Medicare for something and how much the government is paying.

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May 8, 2013 | By | Reply More
Health law offers veterans new options

Health law offers veterans new options

Many former service members have access to health care through the VA, private insurance or other programs. But having so many choices can also lead to fragmented care.

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May 7, 2013 | By | Reply More
Call centers for health law marketplaces to create 9K jobs

Call centers for health law marketplaces to create 9K jobs

The federal health law derided as a “job-killer” by critics will create an estimated 9,000 jobs in 14 states this summer to handle consumer inquiries about new online insurance marketplaces.

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May 4, 2013 | By | Reply More
Expanding Medicaid didn’t lead to big health gains In Oregon, study

Expanding Medicaid didn’t lead to big health gains In Oregon, study

Although expanding Medicaid coverage to some low-income Oregon residents substantially improved their mental health and reduced financial strains on them, it didn’t significantly boost their physical health, a new study finds.

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May 1, 2013 | By | Reply More
For some people covered through work, an exchange might be a good option for the family

For some people covered through work, an exchange might be a good option for the family

Insurance columnist answers readers’ questions about what might be available on the new insurance marketplaces next year and two whom.

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May 1, 2013 | By | Reply More
Obama: ‘We’re pushing very hard’ to meet health law deadlines

Obama: ‘We’re pushing very hard’ to meet health law deadlines

President Barack Obama said Tuesday he expected some “glitches and bumps” in the road to full implementation of his health care law.

But, he added the law is “pretty much already in place” for 85 percent to 90 percent of Americans who have health insurance.

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April 30, 2013 | By | Reply More