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 care law encourages collaboration, but anti-trust worries arise
A key part of the federal health law encourages providers to band together to share information, streamline patient care, and eliminate waste. But interest groups are currently fighting over rules designed to keep these groups from getting too big and powerful.July 18, 2011 - Minn. health providers worry over possible Medicare cuts
Some Minnesota doctors and hospitals are worried they could be targeted for Medicare cuts.July 13, 2011 - Minn. experts welcome new soft deadline for health insurance exchanges
Minnesota health insurance are busy preparing for health care overhaul, but many are welcoming a proposal to soften deadlines for a cornerstone piece of the program.July 12, 2011 - Some employers reboot with 401(k)-modeled health insurance plans
As the federal health care overhaul spurs experimentation in the insurance market, some employers are turning to a 401(k)-style plan that gives employees a set amount of money and more decisions to make.June 8, 2011 - Promise and problems arise as health records go online
The federal stimulus and health care laws are pushing medical providers to go electronic as a way to improve patient safety and track health care quality. As the profession is increasingly going online, it's finding both promise and problems.June 6, 2011 - High court rejects quick review of health care law
The Supreme Court has rejected a call from Virginia's attorney general to depart from its usual practice and put review of the health care law on a fast track.April 25, 2011 - New Medicare rules tighten screening for home health care services
The federal health care law requires most Medicare patients seeking home health care to meet with a physician or a nurse practitioner face to face, to prove they need those services. It's an attempt to cut down on Medicare fraud. Some doctors, however, may not be ready to comply with the change.April 21, 2011 - Government appeals judge's health care ruling
The Obama administration has appealed a judge's ruling that found the federal overhaul of the health care system unconstitutional.April 3, 2011 - Minn. hospital tries new health care approach
The Obama administration has filled in some of the blanks in a key part of the health care overhaul, proposing rules to define Accountable Care Organizations, which are meant to save hundreds of millions of dollars while improving patient care. The concept is still new, but is getting a tryout in Minnesota.March 31, 2011 - Health care reform -- what a difference an election makes
President Barack Obama signed health care reform into law one year ago today. But the partisan divide over the issue may be more heated now than it was then. When it comes to carrying out the law's policies in Minnesota, that party divide has also had an obvious impact.March 23, 2011 - Obama's health care olive branch to GOP addresses malpractice reform
The grants would allow states to set up health courts -- courts where medically-trained judges, not juries -- would decide malpractice cases.March 4, 2011 - Minn. gets $1M grant for health insurance exchange
Minnesota is getting a $1 million health care grant that former Gov. Tim Pawlenty spurned and new Gov. Mark Dayton sought.February 25, 2011 - GOP pushes for cross-border health insurance purchases
The idea is a core response to the Democrats' federal health care overhaul. States have had the power to regulate insurance within their borders for at least 140 years, but the GOP has introduced a bill that would allow residents to buy health insurance outside of their states.February 15, 2011 - Experts offering alternatives to health care mandate
Health care policy experts are kicking around ideas to replace a controversial but critical piece of the health care law -- the individual mandate that all Americans buy insurance.February 7, 2011 - New Minn. commerce chief takes on application of health insurance reform
New Commerce Commissioner Michael Rothman's major project on the health care front is spearheading development of Minnesota's health insurance exchange.January 31, 2011
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