Health Care Reform

President Barack Obama signed the sweeping federal health care overhaul into law on March 23, 2010, but the debate over it is as fierce as ever. Congress designed this framework for revamping the nation's health care system to phase in over the next decade. Over that time, it's expected to expand health insurance coverage to more than 30 million additional Americans; help consumers better understand and compare health insurance policies; require insurers to cover pre-existing conditions; require insurers to spend at least 80 percent of their premium dollars on health care; and help fill a gap in prescription drug coverage for seniors.

The law has drawn fire from critics who argue it does little to control the soaring costs of health care. They also contend that the law is unconstitutional because it requires all Americans to purchase health care insurance. It's likely the U.S. Supreme Court will settle that legal question.

Meanwhile, public attitudes about the law remain divided as well. Depending on the poll, Americans are split or a majority favors its repeal.

Writer: Elizabeth Stawicki

States fear loss of health care aid
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.May 3, 2013
Dayton names directors of MNSure exchange
Gov. Mark Dayton has announced the members of the board of directors for the state's health insurance exchange program, called MNSure, which will help the uninsured and others obtain coverage under federal health care changes.April 30, 2013
Klobuchar hopeful on repeal of med-tech tax
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Monday said she's optimistic a tax on medical devices will be overturned.April 29, 2013
Governments may push workers to health exchange
In a quest to save money, political leaders in Washington state are exploring a plan that would shift some government workers out of their current health plans and onto the insurance exchange developed under President Barack Obama's health care law.April 24, 2013
Promises, promises: 'Obamacare' still a tall order to fill
The issue: Health care was the defining political battle of President Barack Obama's first term, and -- after the economy -- it remains his most complicated policy challenge at home, central to his place in history. Fixing the system is a tall order as "Obamacare's" major coverage expansion takes effect this year and next.March 28, 2013
Obama health law anniversary finds two Americas
Three years, two elections, and one Supreme Court decision after President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, its promise of health care for the uninsured may be delayed or undercut in much of the country because of entrenched opposition from many Republican state leaders.March 21, 2013
Minnesota's health insurance exchange: What's next?
Gov. Mark Dayton has signed into law the contentious health insurance exchange bill that was approved by the House and Senate. The legislation creates a new online marketplace where more than one million Minnesotans will obtain health insurance starting in October. But that's only the beginning of the exchange story. Here are several next steps to watch for as the health exchange takes shape.March 20, 2013
Dayton signs health exchange law, creating 'MNSURE'
Gov. Mark Dayton Wednesday signed into law historic and controversial legislation enacting the centerpiece of President Obama's health care overhaul. Starting in October, more than a million Minnesotans, including 300,000 who are uninsured, will be able to take advantage of a new marketplace for health insurance.March 20, 2013
Health exchange bill passes Minn. Senate; heads to Dayton's desk
The Minnesota Senate has passed a health exchange bill on a party-line vote; 39 Democrats voted for the bill and 28 Republicans voted against. Following Gov. Mark Dayton's signature of the bill, Minnesota will become one of at least 17 states that develop and run their own exchanges.March 18, 2013
Abortion restrictions cut from health exchange bill
Abortion restrictions have been cut from a final version of the health insurance exchange bill set for a full House vote on Thursday. The legislation will impact how more than a million Minnesotans obtain health coverage, starting in October.March 14, 2013
Insurers warn of overhaul-induced sticker shock
Some Americans could see their insurance bills double next year as the health care overhaul law expands coverage to millions of people.March 13, 2013
Minnesota Senate, following House, passes health insurance exchange bill
The Minnesota Senate on Thursday night passed legislation creating an online health insurance marketplace that's slated to be up and running by October.March 8, 2013
Minn. GOP vows to slow health exchange bill
Republicans say they will offer about 100 amendments to an insurance exchange bill when the Minnesota Senate debates it Thursday.March 6, 2013
Health exchange passes Minn. House; amendment restricts abortion coverage
The DFL-controlled Minnesota House has passed a key part of the Obama administration's health care law -- a state-based health insurance exchange -- by a 72 to 58 vote, largely along party line.March 5, 2013
Feds award Minn. $45M Medicaid grant
The federal government has awarded Minnesota $45 million to serve as a model testing site to lower taxpayer costs and improve the quality of care for Medicaid patients.February 21, 2013