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By PHIL GALEWITZ, KHN— The federal health care law derided as a “job-killer” by critics will create an estimated 9,000 jobs in 14 states this summer to handle consumer inquiries about new online insurance marketplaces. The jobs are through Vangent, a General Dynamics subsidiary, which was awarded a $530 million one-year contract by the federal government to […]
Continue reading …By DAVID SCHULTZ, KHN— How many nurses does it take to run a hospital? Legislatures in at least seven states and the District of Columbia are trying to answer that question as they debate bills that would require hospitals to have a minimum number of nurses on staff at all times. So far, only one state […]
Continue reading …By JULIE APPLEBY, KHN Staff Writer— Some consumers may continue to face out-of-pocket health care expenses of $12,500 or more next year – double the amount allowed by the health law – because the Obama administration won’t enforce that provision for some plans for another year. “This is a very important consumer protection that is being […]
Continue reading …By MARY AGNES CAREY, KHN Staff Writer— The Obama administration, rebuffed earlier this year by Republicans, is trying once again to convince Congress to provide more funding for the health law’s health insurance exchanges, which are set to begin enrollment this fall. According to figures released in the fiscal 2014 budget request Wednesday, the administration estimates that the federal […]
Continue reading …By PHIL GALEWITZ, KHN Staff Writer— Two of the nation’s leading forces in health insurance — UnitedHealthcare and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association – faced off Thursday before Congress in a battle for control of the $47 billion program that covers 8 million federal employees, retirees and their families. UnitedHealthcare wants to change a […]
Continue reading …By JULIE APPLEBY, KHN Staff Writer– It’s not just sore throats and flu shots anymore. Walgreens on April 4, 2013, became the first retail store chain to expand its health care services to include diagnosing and treating patients for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and high cholesterol. The move is the retail industry’s boldest push […]
Continue reading …Recessions can be fatal for older workers. A new study shows recession’s toll on health and reveals unexpected advantages of Social Security and Medicare for older workers, those in their 50s and 60s. The study conducted by Wellesley College economists found that over time, a recession can have significant, adverse effects on the health of […]
Continue reading …By MARY AGNES CAREY, KHN— Pressure is mounting for Washington to find a way to avoid the automatic spending reductions set to begin March 1, with President Barack Obama urging Congress to stop the “meat-cleaver approach” that he says will undermine U.S. military strength and “eviscerate job creating investments in education and energy and medical research.” But […]
Continue reading …By JULIE APPLEBY, KHN, STERLING, Va.– Perched by a computer monitor wedged between shelves of cough drops and the pharmacy in a bustling Wal-Mart, Mohamed Khader taps out answers to questions such as how often he eats vegetables, whether anyone in his family has diabetes and his age. He tests his eyesight, weighs himself and checks […]
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