http://www.mail.com/subjects/3090-government-funded-health-insurance.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.29/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/3090-government-funded-health-insurance.html http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2161022-govt-report-smooth-launch-unsure-health-law.html WASHINGTON (AP) — There's no guarantee that President Barack Obama's health care law will launch smoothly and on time, congressional investigators say in the first in-depth independent look at its progress. But in a report to be released Wednesday, the congressional Government Accountability Office also sees positive signs as the Oct. 1 deadline approache... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:09:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2161022-govt-report-smooth-launch-unsure-health-law.html 2013-06-19T04:09:32Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2160718-ark-ag-seeks-to-uphold-verdict-jj.html LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' attorney general filed a brief Tuesday backed by his counterparts in 35 other states asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to uphold a $1.2 billion fine levied against Johnson & Johnson and a subsidiary over the marketing of the antipsychotics drug Risperdal. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel called on the justices to reject ... Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:20:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2160718-ark-ag-seeks-to-uphold-verdict-jj.html 2013-06-19T00:20:40Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2159948-nonprofit-launches-campaign-to-reach-uninsured.html CHICAGO (AP) — A nonprofit group helping to spread the word about President Barack Obama's health care overhaul launched a campaign Tuesday that will target states with high numbers of uninsured Americans and tackle their skepticism with straightforward messages. The "Get Covered America" campaign will include door-to-door visits by volunteers, brochures ... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:54:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2159948-nonprofit-launches-campaign-to-reach-uninsured.html 2013-06-18T19:54:11Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2159988-medicare-cost-saving-changes-coming-diabetics.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare begins a major change next month that could save older diabetics money and time when they buy crucial supplies to test their blood sugar — but it also may cause some confusion as patients figure out the new system. On July 1, Medicare opens a national mail-order program that will dramatically drop the prices the government pays ... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:57:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2159988-medicare-cost-saving-changes-coming-diabetics.html 2013-06-18T18:57:29Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2151612-arizona-gov-brewer-secures-medicaid-expansion.html PHOENIX (AP) — Ending a six-month legislative session, Arizona lawmakers endorsed a key element of President Barack Obama's health care law in a huge political victory for Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, after a lengthy fight over Medicaid expansion that divided the state's Republican leadership. The expansion that will extend health care to 300,000 more low-... Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:39:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2151612-arizona-gov-brewer-secures-medicaid-expansion.html 2013-06-14T09:39:19Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2149754-arizona-legislature-passes-medicaid-expansion.html PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Legislature embraced a signature component of President Barack Obama's health care law Thursday after a drawn out battle that divided the state's Republican leadership and saw GOP Gov. Jan Brewer work closely with Democratic lawmakers to expand Medicaid access. The Legislature passed Brewer's $8.8 billion state budget and Medica... Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:23:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2149754-arizona-legislature-passes-medicaid-expansion.html 2013-06-14T08:23:16Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2147974-az-house-passes-medicaid-expansion-brewer-win.html PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona House passed an $8.8 billion state budget that includes Medicaid expansion early Thursday and puts Gov. Jan Brewer one Senate vote away from a huge political victory as she embraces a signature part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law. A newly formed coalition of Democrats and GOP moderates forced the budget and... Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:50:42 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2147974-az-house-passes-medicaid-expansion-brewer-win.html 2013-06-13T09:50:42Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2141484-sp-boosts-outlook-us-govts-long-term-debt.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Standard & Poor's Ratings Services upgraded its outlook Monday for the U.S. government's long-term debt. S&P cited the government's strengthened finances, a recovering U.S. economy and some easing of Washington's political gridlock. The credit rating service raised its outlook to "Stable" from "Negative," which means it's less likely to ... Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:45:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2141484-sp-boosts-outlook-us-govts-long-term-debt.html 2013-06-10T19:45:29Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2137652-iowa-gov-to-medicaid-abortion-funding.html DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Catholic, anti-abortion Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad could soon find himself in an uncomfortable position: He may have to sign off on payments for every Medicaid-funded abortion in his state. A bill requiring that authorization is sitting on the Republican's desk after moving through the statehouse. If Branstad signs it, Iowa is likely... Fri, 07 Jun 2013 23:45:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2137652-iowa-gov-to-medicaid-abortion-funding.html 2013-06-07T23:45:31Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2137256-health-care-thorny-issue-immigration-debate.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Health care coverage for newly legalized immigrants is emerging as a thorny issue in Congress' drive to remake the nation's immigration system, posing hard-to-solve problems for Senate negotiators and threatening a bill-writing effort in the House. The question is how much access to taxpayer-subsidized care should be granted to immigrant... Fri, 07 Jun 2013 20:22:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2137256-health-care-thorny-issue-immigration-debate.html 2013-06-07T20:22:28Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2127830-top-obama-appointees-using-secret-email-accounts.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Some of President Barack Obama's political appointees are using secret government email accounts to conduct official business, The Associated Press found, a practice that complicates agencies' legal responsibilities to find and turn over emails under public records requests and congressional inquiries. White House spokesman Jay Carney on... Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:35:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2127830-top-obama-appointees-using-secret-email-accounts.html 2013-06-04T19:35:12Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2122860-threats-test-gop-small-government.html WASHINGTON (AP) — One major principle of Barack Obama's presidency that his foes love to hate — that government, when it works right, can be best-equipped to aid and protect Americans — is finding fresh currency among some Republicans. Their doctrine that smaller government is better government is being tested by pressing needs in storm-battered states, s... Sat, 01 Jun 2013 07:11:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2122860-threats-test-gop-small-government.html 2013-06-01T07:11:13Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2121386-respite-medicare-social-security-worse.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare's long-term health is starting to look a little better, the government said Friday, but both Social Security and Medicare are still wobbling toward insolvency within two decades if Congress and the president don't find a way to shore up the trust funds established to take care of older Americans. Medicare's giant fund for inpati... Fri, 31 May 2013 20:24:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2121386-respite-medicare-social-security-worse.html 2013-05-31T20:24:37Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2120702-social-security-medicare-trustees-report.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Trustees for Social Security and Medicare will release their annual report Friday on the state of finances for the government's two biggest benefit programs. The report will give the latest assessment of when the trust funds that support both programs will be exhausted. With almost 10,000 baby boomers reaching retirement age and qualifyi... Fri, 31 May 2013 07:35:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2120702-social-security-medicare-trustees-report.html 2013-05-31T07:35:17Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2119582-social-security-medicare-face-big-challenge.html WASHINGTON (AP) — As the U.S. recovery slowly gathers steam, federal deficits are finally coming down from their nosebleed $1-trillion-plus heights. That will postpone until fall a new budget showdown between Congress and the White House — and also will probably delay the days of reckoning, feared by millions of aging Americans, when Social Security and Medicare could become... Thu, 30 May 2013 20:07:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2119582-social-security-medicare-face-big-challenge.html 2013-05-30T20:07:48Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2113970-court-stays-planned-parenthood-funding-case.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will not disturb a lower court ruling that blocks Indiana's effort to strip Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood because the organization performs abortions among its medical services. The justices did not comment Tuesday in rejecting the state's appeal of a federal appeals court ruling in favor of Planned Parenthood.... Tue, 28 May 2013 13:56:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2113970-court-stays-planned-parenthood-funding-case.html 2013-05-28T13:56:21Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2093852-cbo-obama-budget-cuts-deficits-11t-2023.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's budget would trim projected federal deficits by $1.1 trillion over the coming decade, using nearly $6 in higher revenues for every $1 in reduced spending to achieve it, Congress' nonpartisan budget analyst said Friday. After four straight years of annual shortfalls exceeding $1 trillion, the Congressional Budget ... Fri, 17 May 2013 21:40:38 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2093852-cbo-obama-budget-cuts-deficits-11t-2023.html 2013-05-17T21:40:38Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2091378-round-house-obamacare.html WASHINGTON (AP) — One more time, with feeling! The Republican-led House voted yet again Thursday to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law, knowing full well that won't stop it. Only months away from the rollout of coverage for uninsured Americans, it was the 37th attempt in a little more than two years by House Republicans to eliminate, defund o... Thu, 16 May 2013 22:46:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2091378-round-house-obamacare.html 2013-05-16T22:46:28Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2088536-senate-confirms-nurse-to-medicare.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A former intensive care nurse with a businesslike approach to a politically divisive public policy area won Senate approval Wednesday to run Medicare and other major health insurance programs. By an overwhelming 91-7 vote, the Senate confirmed Marilyn Tavenner to oversee Medicare, Medicaid, children's health insurance and coverage for th... Wed, 15 May 2013 21:43:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2088536-senate-confirms-nurse-to-medicare.html 2013-05-15T21:43:19Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2085074-89-charged-medicare-fraud-busts-8-cities.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 100 people, including 14 doctors and nurses, were charged for their roles in separate Medicare scams that collectively billed the taxpayer-funded program for roughly $223 million in bogus charges in a massive bust spanning eight cities, federal authorities said Tuesday. It was the latest in a string of similar announcements by Hea... Tue, 14 May 2013 17:38:41 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2085074-89-charged-medicare-fraud-busts-8-cities.html 2013-05-14T17:38:41Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2074394-gop-boycotts-health-care-advisory-board.html WASHINGTON (AP) — House and Senate Republican leaders told President Barack Obama Thursday that they will refuse to nominate candidates to serve on an advisory board that is to play a role in holding down Medicare costs under the new health care act. House Speaker John Boehner, who joined Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell in boycotting the Independ... Thu, 09 May 2013 19:30:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2074394-gop-boycotts-health-care-advisory-board.html 2013-05-09T19:30:05Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2073336-house-passes-bill-to-prioritize-us-debt-payments.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The GOP-controlled House voted Thursday to make sure U.S. bondholders and people on Social Security get paid if the government hits its borrowing limit. The move comes as Republicans grapple with the hot-potato issue of raising the government's borrowing limit later this year, one of the few must-do items on a dysfunctional Washington's ... Thu, 09 May 2013 18:13:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2073336-house-passes-bill-to-prioritize-us-debt-payments.html 2013-05-09T18:13:09Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2071444-high-hospital-bills-public-will-help.html WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, the government is publicly revealing how much hospitals charge, and the differences are astounding: Some bill tens of thousands of dollars more than others for the same treatment, even within the same city. Why does a joint replacement cost 40 times as much at one hospital as at another across the country? It's a myst... Wed, 08 May 2013 23:53:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2071444-high-hospital-bills-public-will-help.html 2013-05-08T23:53:57Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2069498-pessimism-abounds-annual-fiscal-summit.html WASHINGTON (AP) — On this, some of Washington's highest-ranking budget players can agree: A "grand bargain" this year to close the nation's chronic budget deficits seems like a long shot. That was the consensus at an annual Washington "fiscal summit" thrown by billionaire deficit hawk Pete Peterson, who's staked $1 billion of his fortune on a foundation a... Tue, 07 May 2013 20:44:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2069498-pessimism-abounds-annual-fiscal-summit.html 2013-05-07T20:44:33Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2062498-fear-losing-aid-uninsurables.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of people with serious medical problems are in danger of losing coverage under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul because of cost overruns, state officials say. At risk is the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, a transition program that's become a lifeline for the so-called uninsurables — people with serious medi... Sat, 04 May 2013 14:45:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2062498-fear-losing-aid-uninsurables.html 2013-05-04T14:45:35Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2055688-cvs-caremark-1q-profit-soars-23-percent.html CVS Caremark's first-quarter net income jumped 23 percent to top Wall Street's expectations, as generic drugs continued to improve profitability even though those prescriptions hurt revenue. Generic drugs, which are cheaper, copycat versions of brand-name medicines, help a drugstore's bottom line because they provide a wider margin between the cost for th... Wed, 01 May 2013 22:28:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2055688-cvs-caremark-1q-profit-soars-23-percent.html 2013-05-01T22:28:02Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2057126-medicaid-improved-mental-health-uninsured.html WASHINGTON (AP) — If you're uninsured, getting on Medicaid clearly improves your mental health, but it doesn't seem to make much difference in physical conditions such as high blood pressure. The counterintuitive findings by researchers at Harvard and MIT, from an experiment involving low-income, able-bodied Oregonians, appear in Thursday's New England Jo... Wed, 01 May 2013 21:08:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2057126-medicaid-improved-mental-health-uninsured.html 2013-05-01T21:08:55Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2053020-laying-bare-your-finances-to-apply-health-care.html WASHINGTON (AP) — After a storm of complaints, the Obama administration on Tuesday unveiled simplified forms to apply for insurance under the president's new health care law. You won't have to lay bare your medical history but you will have to detail your finances. An earlier version of the forms had provoked widespread griping that they were as bad as ta... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:51:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2053020-laying-bare-your-finances-to-apply-health-care.html 2013-04-30T19:51:30Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2053178-aetna-1q-profit-slips-4-pct-boosts-2013-forecast.html Aetna's first-quarter net income fell 4 percent as acquisition-related costs and rising health care expenses more than offset government business gains for the health insurer. But earnings still topped analysts' expectations, the company raised its 2013 forecast and said it expects more growth on top of that once it closes the acquisition of fellow insure... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:02:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2053178-aetna-1q-profit-slips-4-pct-boosts-2013-forecast.html 2013-04-30T16:02:20Z