Healthcare

Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-Texas) says the new ObamaCare insurance brokers known as “navigators” are likely to cost more than they’re worth because of "inflated" salaries. 

Marchant's questions stem from a recently released Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposal outlining the specifics of the navigators, a fleet of individuals that will help Americans without employer-provided insurance figure out how to use the new healthcare exchanges set up by the Affordable Care Act.

In an April 4 letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Marchant expressed concerns with the estimated hourly wages for the positions. 

“In an attempt to reduce health care costs, the greatest possible portion of taxpayer funds should go to treating patients rather than being absorbed by administration and public relations,” wrote Marchant, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The decision makes the morning-after pill available to women of all ages over the counter with no restrictions.

Two medical information clearinghouses will be merged into one as part of the Obama administration's healthcare reform effort to increase efficiency and reduce regulatory burdens.

A rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be published Friday in the Federal Register is combining the twin data banks, both of which serve as repositories of complaints and abusive actions. 

The move is in line with a directive from the Affordable Care Act, which seeks to eliminate "duplicative data reporting," according to the rule.

A number of new healthcare regulations will be published on Friday. Here are the highlights of the new rules:

Healthcare and Safety:

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will publish its proposed standards for healthcare exchange marketplace "navigators" as called for by the Affordable Care Act.

HHS is also consolidating the data banks created under the healthcare law to improve healthcare quality.

National pharmacy chain CVS is settling a case with the U.S. government over charges the store manufactured and filed false records for prescriptions it filled.

The pharmacy has agreed to pay $11 million to settle civil penalty claims for violating the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday.

The government framed the case as an example of prescription drug abuse.

The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) on Wednesday outlined the standards for "navigators" who will help consumers shop for health insurance in new marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act.

The healthcare law establishes insurance exchanges in each state, where consumers who don't get insurance through their employer can compare and buy plans. 

The law also provides a role for navigators — similar to traditional insurance agents and brokers — to help consumers understand their options.

The Chamber of Commerce has deemed the health insurance mandate to be the most onerous regulation of ObamaCare.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday relaxed standards on how long people should use nicotine-replacement gum, patches and other products.

The FDA announced there are no significant safety concerns with using nicotine patches, gum and other products in combination.

It also said that in most cases, people can safely use the products for longer than the eight to 12 weeks now recommended.

The federal government will reimburse states for 100 percent of the costs for some newly eligible Medicaid patients, under new regulations finalized Friday as part of the Obama administration’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

It’s not too late to fill out your bracket — that is, if you’d like to weigh in on the most onerous regulations created by President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA).