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
- Panel oks bill to block health overhaul in Minn.
Legislation that would repeal a Medicaid health care expansion ordered by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has cleared a Senate panel.January 26, 2011 - Tax paperwork rule in health care law likely won't survive
Under a provision in the health care law, anyone who operates a business will have to file special paperwork with the IRS. But that rule will likely be stricken from the health care law, and with it, $19 billion in funding.January 24, 2011 - Fries with that? Health reform puts calories on the menu
If you eat out, you might start noticing some new information appearing on menus over the next year -- calorie counts.January 20, 2011 - New gov OKs Wisconsin joining health care lawsuit
Wisconsin's new Republican Gov. Scott Walker has authorized Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to challenge the federal health care reform law.January 3, 2011 - Battle over health care reform likely to play out in court
As long as President Barack Obama wields a White House veto pen, it's unlikely Republicans can succeed in repealing the law health care reform law outright, and that means the battle is likely to play out in the courts.December 20, 2010 - Health care reform aims to encourage more cancer screenings
The federal health care reform law is designed to encourage people to get colonoscopies and mammograms by removing the financial cost to consumers, but consumers shouldn't assume their screenings will, in fact, be free.December 1, 2010 - Flex spending accounts less flexible under new health law
The accounts allow workers to put aside pretax earnings specifically for out-of-pocket heath care expenses, but the federal health care reform law is cutting back on what those accounts will cover and how much workers can put into them.November 15, 2010 - Pawlenty takes legal action against health care law
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is stepping up his attack on President Barack Obama's federal health care law with a court filing challenging its cost to states.November 11, 2010 - Interests grapple over birth control in health care law
Several medical and women's groups say women should have access to free birth control, but the Catholic church is fighting the idea.November 8, 2010 - Health reform weighs on UnitedHealth shares despite soaring income
UnitedHealth Group Inc., the biggest U.S. insurer by sales, said 2011 profit may decline because of rising medical costs and the U.S. health-care overhaul. The forecast sent the company's shares down the most in two months.October 19, 2010 - Changes to health care bring added stress to hospital administrators
Imagine trying to run a business where lives are at stake, costs are rising, and revenues aren't keeping up -- all in the middle of a severe recession.October 19, 2010 - Health reform forces small-town hospital to look for partner
A tiny hospital in New Prague, Minn., has decided it can no longer operate independently under the new federal health reform law. Queen of Peace hospital is looking to join a larger health system to ensure its survival.October 14, 2010 - Pawlenty does about-face on insurance exchange idea
Gov. Tim Pawlenty repeated his opposition Friday to so-called "insurance exchanges," a key piece of health care reform. That's a reversal from 2007, when Pawlenty proposed his own insurance exchange program for Minnesota businesses.October 8, 2010 - Health orgs defy Pawlenty, send reform report to D.C.
Three Minnesota health care organizations defied Gov. Tim Pawlenty on an issue related to health care reform by releasing a report to the federal government.October 7, 2010 - Other companies may follow 3M's lead on retiree health care
3M recently announced it would change its coverage for retirees, but some experts say the number of companies that offered health benefits for retired employees was already falling.October 4, 2010
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