Health reform implementation

  May 24, 2013, 9:30 am

News bites: Spotlight on Arizona

By Elise Viebeck

Threats, vetoes fly as tensions rise in Ariz. over Medicaid expansion

GOP Ariz. rep. who supports Medicaid expansion is threatened

Snuffing out higher insurance premiums for smokers

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  May 23, 2013, 6:30 pm

OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Premiums lower than expected

By Sam Baker and Elise Viebeck

The Obama administration got some good news Thursday as California regulators released the estimated premiums for healthcare plans sold through the state's insurance exchange.

The premiums came in well below expectations, giving Democrats a strong data point to push back against fears of "rate shock" once the healthcare law takes full effect. California is the first big state to release insurers' rates for next year, and experts were paying particular attention to the filing because of the size of the state's market.

A middle-of-the-road policy will cost about $300 per month, and most people who buy these policies will get a subsidy from the federal government to help pay their premiums. That comes to about $3,600 per year — hardly pocket change, but also far short of the $5,200 annual cost projected by the Congressional Budget Office.

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  May 23, 2013, 5:46 pm

Businesses share ObamaCare wellness program worries with White House

By Julian Hattem

Business groups are weighing in on an ObamaCare proposal governing incentives for employees to stay healthy.

The White House is currently reviewing a proposed rule for wellness programs that give workers incentives to take part in healthy habits such as joining a gym, signing up for a weight-loss plan or participating in a scheme to stop smoking. The proposal is part of the Affordable Care Act. 

Proponents say that the programs have a documented history of lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol and making workers healthy. Plus, they make good business sense.

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Archived under: Health reform implementation, Worker safety, Healthcare
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  May 23, 2013, 3:44 pm

ObamaCare plans cheaper than expected in key rate filing

By Sam Baker

New insurance policies under President Obama's healthcare law will cost significantly less than expected in California.

The state released rate filings Thursday for the policies that will be sold through the health law's insurance exchange. 

Experts had been especially eager to see California's rates, and it is the first large state to release price information for next year.

The average plan will carry a monthly premium of $300, regulators said. Most people will receive a subsidy to help cover part of that cost, and cheaper options are also available.

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  May 23, 2013, 12:34 pm

Pelosi vows there will be no ObamaCare for illegal immigrants

By Mike Lillis and Russell Berman

The Democratic leader promised taxpayers will not cover healthcare costs for undocumented people who gain a pathway to citizenship.

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  May 23, 2013, 7:55 am

Alexander likens Sebelius to Iran-Contra figure Oliver North

By Meghashyam Mali

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) on Thursday blasted Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius over her efforts to solicit donations for a group promoting President Obama’s landmark healthcare reform law, likening her to Reagan administration Iran-Contra figure Oliver North.

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  May 23, 2013, 5:00 am

Insurers feel pressure from health group with ties to White House

By Sam Baker

Links between a nonprofit and White House have created an “air of expectation” that insurers will contribute, an official said.

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  May 22, 2013, 4:12 pm

Sebelius touts ObamaCare benefits for graduates

By Elise Viebeck

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urged college graduates Wednesday to remember the insurance benefits available to them through ObamaCare.

In a blog post on Healthcare.gov, Sebelius cited several popular provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including its requirement that family plans cover children until age 26.

"Because of the Affordable Care Act, you'll be able to begin this next chapter of your life with the peace of mind and security health insurance provides," Sebelius wrote. 

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  May 21, 2013, 6:30 pm

OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Republicans target ObamaCare outreach

By Sam Baker and Elise Viebeck

Efforts to boost enrollment and raise awareness of President Obama's healthcare law are the next target for House Republicans.

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  May 21, 2013, 5:28 pm

GOP Sen. Thune urges IRS to stop ObamaCare work

By Elise Viebeck

Republican Sen. John Thune (S.D.) is demanding that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) refrain from implementing ObamaCare while investigators probe the agency's targeting of conservative groups.

Thune, who leads the Senate Republican Conference, wrote to the Obama administration Tuesday connecting the scandal to Sarah Hall Ingram, an IRS official who once had oversight of tax-exempt groups.

Hall Ingram is now in charge of the IRS's functions under ObamaCare, which include enforcing the law's individual mandate. Thune said the IRS must stop working on any regulations drafted under Hall Ingram's leadership while her role in the Tea Party scandal becomes clear. 

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