Health Care Reform - baltimoresun.com

Maryland panel approves hospital rate increase

By Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 5 Jun 2013 19:53:07 EDT

Hospitals say additional revenue not enough

A state panel voted unanimously Wednesday to increase the rates hospitals can charge by 1.65 percent, but the medical institutions say the amount is inadequate and will collectively drive hospitals into the red.

New 'Obamacare' exchanges could miss enrollment deadline - GAO

David Morgan and Caroline Humer — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:09:03 EDT

(Reuters) - New health insurance exchanges being set up by the federal government in more than 30 states under President Barack Obama's 2010 healthcare overhaul could miss an October 1 deadline for open enrollment, a government report said on Wednesday.

Obamacare-like groups tied to lower costs: study

Andrew M. Seaman — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:25:04 EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Large independent doctor practices that focus on primary care tend to spend less money and are more likely to meet guidelines for Americans on Medicare than smaller groups, according to a new study.

Gansler seeks cap on health insurance rate increases

By Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 4 Jun 2013 21:27:32 EDT

Suggests no more than 5% until federal reform is fully implemented

Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler urged state regulators Tuesday to cap the amount that insurers can raise premiums under the new health care law to no more than 5 percent until more is known about how the sweeping federal legislation will affect health costs.

Enroll America sets private outreach for Obamacare sign-up

David Morgan — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:09:03 EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Enroll America, a nonprofit group at the center of the political fight over President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law, launched a multi-state grassroots campaign on Tuesday to help sign up millions of uninsured Americans for health coverage in the coming months.

Maryland hospital rate increase recommended

By Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 31 May 2013 20:00:46 EDT

Rates would increase by 1.65 percent under proposal

Maryland hospitals would get some help dealing with federal cuts under a proposed plan that would increase the rates they can charge by 1.65 percent.

Young people looking for health insurance have new options

By Lisa Zamosky — Fri, 31 May 2013 23:38:00 EDT

Under the federal Affordable Care Act, many young adults will face new requirements for having insurance and an increasingly large fine if they don't sign up.

After leaving college at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh last year to move to Los Angeles, 23-year-old Odin Gray debated for several months whether to buy a health insurance policy.

13 insurers want to offer plans on state exchange

By Andrea K. Walker — Tue, 28 May 2013 11:29:00 EDT

Thirteen insurers have submitted plans to offer health insurance on the state exchange, or marketplace where individuals can buy insurance under health care reform, that begins open enrollment in October.

Hospital rates vary significantly, Medicare data show

By Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 9 May 2013 12:55:00 EDT

Maryland more stable than elsewhere because of waiver

Johns Hopkins Hospital charged $13,667 on average to treat one admission of a Medicare patient with diabetes in 2011, while a couple of miles away Mercy Medical Center billed an average of $8,425.

Obama uses 2012 campaign tactics to sell healthcare law

By Noam N. Levey and Kathleen Hennessey, Washington Bureau — Sat, 11 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

President Obama is using his successful 2012 campaign tactics to try to make sure his healthcare law benefits those who lack insurance.

WASHINGTON — Seeking to ensure his landmark healthcare law is successfully implemented, President Obama is reprising his 2012 election strategy in hopes of enrolling millions of uninsured Americans in health plans this fall.