health care reform

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today awarded nearly $220 million in Affordable Insurance Exchange grants to 13 states to help them create Exchanges, giving these states more flexibility and resources to implement the Affordable Care Act.  The health care reform law gives states the freedom to design Affordable Insurance Exchanges – one-stop marketplaces where consumers can choose a private health insurance plan that fits their health needs and have the same kinds of insurance choices as members of Congress.

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An increasing number of hospitals are starting to publish prices for common health care procedures on their websites. 

On his blog, Wendell Potter, former head of public relations for CIGNA, discussed big health insurance/ managed care organizations' attitudes toward paying financial penalties for wrong-doing:

Having served as head of PR for two of the country’s largest health insurers — CIGNA and Humana — I know from personal experience that such fines are not widely considered newsworthy.

(Indiana University) Federal health-care reform holds the promise of more independent lives for people with disabilities.

While a repeal of the law will be difficult, not funding elements could have the same impact as a repeal, says Heather A.

McCabe, J.D., with Indiana University's School of Social Work. Regulations will determine the form that reform takes and individuals make a big difference in the design of these regulations -- if they make the effort.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Several health insurers say they will stop selling new child-only individual insurance policies as they face a health care reform provision that will prevent them from excluding children with potentially costly pre-existing conditions....

Amid high unemployment and a weak economy, employers have been shifting health care costs to workers, according to a study released Thursday.

A variety of preventive services -- from immunizations to colonoscopies -- is due to be covered without cost to consumers under new insurance plans, as part of the health care reform bill.

In an attempt to address the nation's health-care workforce shortage, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Wednesday that the government will invest $250 million in programs to increase the number of doctors, nurses and other care providers.