The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
Officials say if the state wants to determine what benefits are available on all plans sold on the health exchanges, the governor needs to act by Sept. 30. But he wants to wait until after the presidential election.
In separate House and Senate hearings, Obama administration officials got an earful from members of Congress and industry and consumer representatives, who want more clarity about regulations called for in the health law.
Portland, Ore., is the largest American city that doesn’t add fluoride to its drinking water. Activists have been vocal, for and against a proposal to change that. The science shows that fears of side effects from small amounts of fluoride to protect teeth are unfounded.
The number of people without health insurance fell to 48.6 million last year, or 15.7 percent of the population, the first drop since 2007, according to new census numbers reported Wednesday.
Analysts attribute slowed growth to people using less health care as a result of higher deductibles, continuing weak economy.
Answers to readers’ questions about how seniors can qualify for coverage for the inoculations, whether parents are required to keep young adults on their plan and getting pregnancy care for dependents.
Here’s a summary of President Barack Obama’s record on a range of health care issues, including Medicare.
