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Many states had special programs to provide insurance to people with medical problems. Some of those programs will disappear after January when the federal health law offers guarantees of coverage.
The owner of Angelo’s restaurant says he’s happy to have a reprieve from the health law
As the health care industry revamps, physicians are seeking new skills. At MIT’s Sloan School of Management, health care professionals make up 20 percent of the class.
The government, in a draft rule, says it will double the penalties and bonuses offered some group practices with 100 or more professionals. It also moves up deadlines for practices with 10 professionals.
Insurers offer less expensive premiums, betting the mandate will attract young and healthy consumers into a market long dominated by the sick.
New York is one of five states that required insurers to sell to everyone prior to passage of the health law but did not require consumers to buy coverage, leading to some of the nation’s highest premiums.
States hope they will be better able to care for the federal health law’s 30 million newly insured patients by relaxing decades-old “scope of practice” laws that determine what care nurse practitioners can deliver.
State officials have no plans to help educate consumers about new insurance options. Other groups are stepping in, but some worry it won’t be enough.
Video: In remarks at the White House Thursday the president touted lower-than-projected premiums that have been announced for health insurance marketplaces in several states.
President uses speech to push back against critics, highlight law’s benefits to middle-class and working Americans.
Medicare is considering assigning stars or other symbols to hospitals so that patients can compare quality more easily. Hospital groups are wary.
The law requires insurance counselors
UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Assurant Health say they won’t participate, at least initially.
John Castellani, the head of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, notes support for health overhaul but says efforts to change Medicare Part D program and companies’ control of biologic drugs “would do serious harm to our industry.”
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