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

Health reform law extends, enhances adoption credit
Tucked into the 2,000-page federal health care law is a provision designed to help parents defray some of the costs of adoption. The law increases the federal adoption tax credit by about $1,000, and extends the program for another year.May 23, 2010
Small businesses eligible for expanded health insurance credits
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department says the new health care law will allow some small businesses to claim tax credits for more than traditional health insurance.May 17, 2010
Health care law helps businesses provide coverage for early retirees
Employers that provide health insurance to early retirees can begin applying for money next month under the new federal health care law. That program aims to encourage employers to continue providing health care benefits to employees that retire early.May 12, 2010
Mayo gets grant for health information program
The Mayo Clinic has been awarded a $12.3 million stimulus grant as part of a nationwide Health Information Technology Pilot program.May 4, 2010
Pawlenty opts out of federal, high-risk insurance pool
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says Minnesota will opt out of running one of the first programs to take effect under the new federal health care law. The state already has a high-risk insurance pool, but the premiums in the federal program are expected to cost consumers less.April 30, 2010
Minnesota opts out of federal health insurance program
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says Minnesota will opt out of running one of the first programs to take effect under the new health care law.April 30, 2010
Wrong video of health care protest spurs feud over whether crowd yelled racist remarks
Three Democratic congressmen - all black - say they heard racial slurs as they walked through thousands of angry protesters outside the U.S. Capitol during the health care reform debate. Conservative activists say the lawmakers are lying, and point to a video posted on YouTube as evidence.April 13, 2010
Support, but some questions, about health care reform at U of M event
Minnesotans with a stake in the new health care reform law voiced support for the changes, in general, at a forum at the University of Minnesota Friday. But some are concerned the law will only go so far in addressing some longtime issues.April 9, 2010
Swanson won't sue to stop health care reform
Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has rejected a request from Gov. Tim Pawlenty to sue over the new federal health care law.April 5, 2010
North Dakota joins challenge to federal health care law
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says North Dakota is joining a legal challenge to the recently approved federal health care law.April 5, 2010
Health care reform and Medicare
Some of the most heated rhetoric in the battle over health care reform revolved around the impact on Medicare and seniors. Now that the health care reform bill is law, Midmorning looks at what seniors can expect.Midmorning, April 2, 2010
Swanson's office reviewing legal challenge to health care law
Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson says her office is reviewing the legal issues surrounding a constitutional challenge to the new health care law.March 31, 2010
Will insurance reform bring down health costs?
One of the major claims made for health care reform was that it would bring costs down. But some say that there were lots of missed opportunities to address the root causes of our high health care bills.Midmorning, March 31, 2010
Small businesses wary of health care reform law
Small businesses will be among the first in line to take advantage of provisions under federal health care reform. President Obama hailed the tax credits designed to make health plans more affordable. But some business owners say the tax credit doesn't reduce the cost of health insurance enough.March 30, 2010
Swanson in the spotlight over health care challenge
Minnesota Republicans are pressuring Attorney General Lori Swanson, a Democrat, to file suit challenging the new health care reform law. Swanson is running for re-election this year, and the GOP wants this issue to put that race at the forefront.March 24, 2010