Kaiser Health News - Insurance

New Contraceptive Rule Has Precedents In Federal, State Law

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:17:34 GMT

NPR reports that not much has changed in the new regulation other than requiring coverage for contraceptives at no cost, while CNN reports on the escalating "rhetorical war" in Washington.

Viewpoints: Contraception As Obama's 'Gospel'; The Right Balance? Freedom At Risk?; Examining Medicaid Mandate

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:15:13 GMT

A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.

Obama Readies Compromise On Birth Control Mandate

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:14:00 GMT

The Obama administration Friday morning signaled a new compromise on a rule that would require even most religious employer health plans to cover contraception at no cost to employees.

Health Spending, Insurance Profits Down

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:12:30 GMT

Health spending has declined, according to a new study, and it appears to be affecting insurance company bottom lines.

Some Senate Democrats Split From White House On Contraception Rule

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:07:00 GMT

West Virginia's Joe Manchin introduced a bill to block the new rule on contraception coverage, while many other senators say they would like to see a compromise between the administration and opponents of the rule.

Catholics Choosing Sides In Contraception Battle As Bishops Lead Fight Against Administration

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:03:00 GMT

The conflict has American Catholics choosing sides. Catholics, who are often swing voters in presidential elections, narrowly support the White House position in polls.

Health Insurance Exchanges Stall In Kansas And Georgia

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:28:04 GMT

Meanwhile, in Illinois, legislation to establish insurance co-ops moved forward.

Health Plans Must Provide Consumer-Friendly Health Plan Summaries

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:19:00 GMT

Moving to implement one of the new consumer protections in the health law, the Obama administration issued regulations Thursday requiring insurers to describe costs and benefits in clear, standardized language.

Research Roundup: Predicting The Health Law's Effects On Small Business, Uninsured, Disparities

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:17:04 GMT

Today's selection of health research and analyses is from Health Affairs, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund and UCLA.

Insurers Shift More Costs To Patients; Washington Insurance Commissioner Questions Surpluses

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:23:00 GMT

More insurers are shifting a growing amount of the cost of providing care to patients, Kaiser Health News reports. In other insurer news, UnitedHealth will overhaul how it pays doctors, and Washington's state insurance commissioner is asking for permission to consider insurer surpluses when mulling proposed insurance rate increases.

Some High-Profile Catholic Democrats Are Criticizing HHS Rule

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Sens. Robert Casey and Joe Manchin, Rep. John Larson and Obama adviser Tim Kaine are breaking with the White House on the contraception controversy.

White House Scrambles For Compromise On Birth Control Rule

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:53:00 GMT

Officials say Obama remains committed to the HHS regulation, amid indications they are exploring ways to get around religious groups' complaints.

Congressional Republicans Vow To Overturn Contraception Rule

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:49:58 GMT

Speaker John Boehner was among those who promised Wednesday to get rid of the administration's regulation that would require religious employers, such as hospitals, charities and universities, to cover free birth control for employees.

Viewpoints: Many Weigh In On Contraception Controversy; NEJM On Essential Benefits

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:47:52 GMT

A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.

State Roundup: Iowa Ponders HPV Awareness Program; Md. Workers Will See Pharmacy Plan Change

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:32:00 GMT

A selection of health policy stories from around the U.S.

First Edition: February 9, 2012

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:22:06 GMT

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations mainly focus on the controversy over the administration's new regulation on contraception coverage.