Health Care Reform
News coverage, opinion and information on health care reform and health care policy including the Affordable Care Act.
Biden to outline efforts to crack down on ‘junk’ insurance, hidden medical costs
President Biden on Friday will announce steps to crack down on “junk” insurance and loopholes that leave Americans with surprise medical bills.
Condition critical? Britain’s beloved but battered National Health Service turns 75
It’s unusual to throw a birthday party for a health care system, but that’s exactly what the U.K. did for the National Health Service, a beloved but increasingly creaky institution that turned 75 on Wednesday.
Biden administration won’t defend ‘transgender mandate’ on Catholic doctors, hospitals
The Biden administration is backing down from trying to force Catholic health care providers to enter the gender transition business.
New York lawmakers OK bill removing medical debt from credit reports
Hospitals and other health care providers in New York would be banned from reporting medical debt to credit agencies under a bill passed this week by the state’s legislature - a measure intended to limit the damage that illness and injury can do to someone’s financial health.
North Carolina legislature pushes limits on transgender youth rights in final days of session
Transgender rights are taking center stage Tuesday in North Carolina as the GOP-controlled General Assembly considers legislation to restrict gender-affirming health care and trans participation in sports.
More than 1 million dropped from Medicaid as states start post-pandemic purge of rolls
More than 1 million people have been dropped from Medicaid in the past couple months as some states moved swiftly to halt health care coverage following the end of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rockville information technology contractor pays over $1.7 million to settle Medicare fraud claims
A Rockville, Maryland, information technology contractor has agreed to pay more than $1.7 million to settle allegations that it charged the National Institutes of Health for costs that are not allowed to be reimbursed.
Jacksonville pharmacies settle Medicare fraud lawsuit for $7.4 million
A pair of Jacksonville pharmacies and their owner agreed to pay at least $7.4 million to settle lawsuits accusing them of defrauding Medicare by adding anti-psychosis medication to topical pain cream and wrongly waiving patient copays.
Republicans push McCarthy to address Social Security, Medicare in the spending fight
The largest faction of House GOP lawmakers is pushing Speaker Kevin McCarthy to use the upcoming government spending fight to shore up Social Security and Medicare.
‘Obamacare’ will still cover prevention for HIV, other illnesses amid court battle
The government can keep enforcing “Obamacare” requirements that health insurance plans cover preventative care - such as HIV prevention, some types of cancer screenings and other illnesses - while a legal battle over the mandates plays out, under a court agreement approved Tuesday.
Romanian health care workers protest for higher wages, more staff, and better working conditions
Thousands of health care workers held a protest in Romania’s capital on Thursday, demanding higher wages, more staff, and better working conditions amid what they say are shortfalls that will lead to declining medical service standards.
Court seeks compromise that might preserve preventive health insurance mandates as appeals play out
Federal appeals court judges are seeking compromise on whether government requirements that health insurance include coverage for HIV prevention, cancer screenings and some other types of preventive care can be maintained while a legal battle over the mandates plays out.
HIV protection, cancer screenings could cost more if ‘Obamacare’ loses latest court battle
A federal appeals court in New Orleans prepared to hear arguments Tuesday on whether insurers can be required to cover preventive health care including HIV prevention, diabetes, mental health and some cancer screenings without charging patients out-of-pocket fees under former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law.
Transgender adults in Florida ‘blindsided’ that new law also limits their access to health care
Debate surrounding Florida’s new restrictions on gender-affirming care focused largely on transgender children. But a new law that Republican presidential candidate and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last month also made it difficult - even impossible - for many transgender adults to get treatment.
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Supreme Court upholds Obama health care law
Gallery: 40 Photos
The Supreme Court upheld the individual insurance requirement at the heart of President Barack Obama's historic health care overhaul.
Obama chats up health care
Gallery: 6 Photos
President Obama speaks about the Patient's Bill of Rights and health care reform in the backyard of a private residence in Falls Church, Va.
