Affordable Health Care Act
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- Stateline Story
Congress Making States Nervous
TODAY'S TAKE: States are anxiously watching Congress wrangle over a series of measures they are counting on to help pay for health care, education and unemployment benefits for millions of their residents. But the federal government's well-documented financial problems - and the growing attention paid to them on the campaign trail - are threatening those measures. Critics say the government can't afford them.more -
- Stateline Story
Connecticut, D.C. Leap at Medicaid Expansion
TODAY'S TAKE: Only Connecticut and the District of Columbia have jumped at the chance to expand Medicaid under the new federal health care law. Both jurisdictions have submitted early applications to the federal government to shift tens of thousands of residents from existing, locally paid health plans to Medicaid, the joint state-federal health insurance program for the poor. The move could save Connecticut and D.C. tens of millions of dollars.more -
- Stateline Story
Federal Insurance Pool: Which States Opted In?
TODAY'S TAKE: Friday (April 30) was the deadline for states to decide whether to opt into a new federal health insurance pool for high-risk patients - or whether to cover those patients themselves. Several Republican-led states stayed clear of the federal program, while most Democrats embraced it. Some governors, however, bucked their parties.more -
- Stateline Story
Are There Enough Docs for the Newly Insured?
After Massachusetts started rolling out its 2006 law to ensure that nearly every one of its residents had health insurance, the sudden influx of newly insured patients created long waits to see primary care doctors. Now, physicians worry the entire country could see the same thing happen when the recently passed national health law takes full effect in 2014. more
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- Stateline Story
Hope for the Long Term
A casual observer of the health care debate might think the historic new federal law does little to help older Americans. In fact, emotional talk of "death panels" likely led more than a few people to expect bad news for end-of-life care. It's true that the new law promises to pay only a tiny share of states' biggest and fastest growing health care bill - long-term care for the elderly and other adults with disabilities. Still, its attention to the issue may end up paying much bigger dividends in the future. more
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- Stateline Story
Confusion in the Capitols
There's an overwhelming sense of uncertainty among state lawmakers and health care officials around the country as they scramble to figure out what exactly the new health care law means for their governments, their citizens and their budgets. With estimates in individual states ranging from savings of $1 billion to $27 billion in additional costs, the one thing clear about health care reform is that little, if anything, is actually clear. more
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- Stateline Story
Health Care: to Sue or Not to Sue
TODAY'S TAKE: The question of whether states should sue over federal health care reform is a legal matter that is quickly turning into a partisan wedge issue, pitting governors against their own attorneys general in states where they come from different political parties. Disputes have risen in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin and elsewhere.more -
- Stateline Story
Health Care Fallout Continues
TODAY'S TAKE: Many legal experts, including prominent conservatives, are casting doubt that legal challenges promised by state Republican officials will succeed in striking down federal health insurance reform. President Obama will sign the first piece of the health care legislation Tuesday (March 23), and a growing number of governors, state attorneys general and lawmakers are positioning themselves to challenge the new laws in court.more -
- Stateline Story
Health Care Bills Change Game for States
TODAY'S TAKE: The package of health care legislation passed by the U.S. House Sunday night (March 21) would bring major changes to patients and the medical system that treats them, but it also could shake up state government in ways felt in the courtroom, on the campaign trail and in regulatory offices.more -
- Stateline Story
State Lawsuits Likely Over Health Care Bill
TODAY'S TAKE: If and when President Obama signs legislation revamping the nation's health care system, several Republican-led states appear likely to fight a key provision of the new law in court. Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter on Wednesday (March 17) became the first governor to sign a bill setting up a legal showdown, while Virginia's attorney general vowed to do the same.more