Healthcare Reform
Obamacare technology testing slated for September: official
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is preparing to subject the information technology backbone of the new state and federal healthcare exchanges to final "dress rehearsal" testing that could continue until just before the online marketplaces are slated to begin enrollment on October 1.
House Republicans leery of 'Obamacare' defunding idea
WASHINGTON - A Tea Party-inspired plan to kill President Barack Obama's healthcare law by forcing a government shutdown unless funds to implement the law are denied has not gained traction among senior Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, lawmakers said on Wednesday.
'Obamacare' mandate delay will cost $12 billion, affect 1 million workers
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's decision to delay implementation of part of his healthcare reform law will cost $12 billion and leave a million fewer Americans with employer-sponsored health insurance in 2014, congressional researchers said Tuesday.
White House takes aim at Obamacare opposition's economic claims
WASHINGTON - The White House on Monday shot back at critics who claim Obamacare is leading to higher healthcare costs, slower job growth and rising numbers of part-time workers, saying the latest economic statistics show none of those effects.
U.S. court rejects firm's challenge to Obamacare contraception mandate
- A divided federal appeals court on Friday rejected a Pennsylvania cabinet maker's religion-based challenge to the 2010 healthcare law's requirement that larger companies provide workers with health insurance covering birth control.
Why China pays too much for medicines
- China has a drug problem. While most Western countries spend 10-12 percent of their healthcare budget on medicines, in China it is well over 40 percent, a disparity that goes to the heart of Beijing's crackdown on the industry.
Republicans prepare for 'Obamacare' showdown, with eye to 2014 elections
WASHINGTON - With the Obama administration poised for a huge public education campaign on healthcare reform, Republicans and their allies are mobilizing a counter-offensive including town hall meetings, protests and media promotions to dissuade uninsured Americans from obtaining health coverage.
Insurer WellPoint sees $20 billion Obamacare opportunity
- WellPoint Inc , the nation's second largest health insurer, sees President Barack Obama's healthcare reform giving a $20 billion boost to its revenue by 2016, led by an expansion of the Medicaid program for the poor and the introduction of subsidized coverage for the uninsured.
British watchdog rejects GSK's lupus drug again
LONDON - Britain's healthcare cost watchdog has rejected GlaxoSmithKline's lupus drug Benlysta a second time after the company offered an undisclosed discount, saying it still failed to offer good value for money.
Better healthcare for less money, if you can find it
NEW YORK - Consumers intrigued by the new model of accountable healthcare - which promises better-coordinated care that could save lots of money - are going to have to actively seek out participating providers.
Facts and Background
- Details of final healthcare bill
- Bill would provide immediate benefits
- Healthcare overhaul has few final steps
- States and healthcare reform
- Healthcare winners and losers
- Milestones in Obama's quest for healthcare reform
- The impact on Medicare
- Glossary of terms in U.S. healthcare debate
- Health expenditures around the world
- Projected effects of passage of proposed healthcare reform provisions
- Graphic: Trends in healthcare costs
Top systems take centralized approach
An electronic system called an e-ICU lets critical-care physicians monitor patients from a central command center. Data shows it's saving lives. Full Article
HIV case exposes insurer policy
When Jerome Mitchell successfully sued his insurance company after it revoked his policy, he exposed a wrongdoing that could have repercussions for the entire health insurance industry. Full Article
Useful Links
- Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (pdf)
- Congressional Budget Office estimate
- House Ways and Means Committee
- House Energy and Commerce Committee
- Senate Finance Committee
- Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee
- Top 10 facts to know about healthcare reform
- How the House voted on the Senate healthcare bill
- Consumer's guide to health overhaul



