Affordable Care Act

Economy

Decisions Small Businesses Need to Make as Healthcare Exchanges Begin

12:06pm September 13, 2013

More than 850-thousand North Carolinians are estimated to either have no health insurance or to be under-insured. That is expected to change as of January 1st, when the main part of the Affor

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A sign in a TV ad welcomes Californians to insurance coverage.

Health Insurance Ads Range From Weighty To Whimsical

6:05pm September 10, 2013

by Stephanie O'Neill

States are taking very different marketing tacks to get residents to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. In their own ways, they're trying hard to make insurance appealing to uninsured young people.

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The next bed could cost you a lot if the hospital says you're there on observation.

For Hospital Patients, Observation Status Can Prove Costly

9:25am September 05, 2013

by Ina Jaffe

When is an inpatient in the hospital not an inpatient in the hospital? When that patient is on observation status. Patients who are termed on observation can have trouble getting Medicare to pay if they need to go to a nursing home. The practice has sparked lawsuits and legislation.

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From left, Garrett Berntsen, Jennifer Majer and William Shields compare notes at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. Twenty-somethings have new choices under Obamacare.

Health & Safety

You Ask, We Answer: More Of Your Questions About The Affordable Care Act

11:06am August 19, 2013

by Julie Rovner

Think buying health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will be confusing? You're not alone. NPR listeners asked questions that have been bugging them about student status options and penalties. Julie Rovner, NPR's health policy correspondent, explains how it's going to work.

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Speech-language pathologists Jill Tullman (left) and Mendi Carroll (right) work with Bryce Vernon at Talking with Technology Camp in Empire, Colo., on July 25.

Obamacare: People With Disabilities Face Complex Choices

7:59am August 15, 2013

by Eric Whitney

The Affordable Care Act sets up categories of essential health benefits that insurance plans must cover. Some categories, such as maternity care and drug abuse treatment, are straightforward. But "habilitative services" — including treatments like physical and speech therapy — are much more subjective.

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If you worked here, you'd be worried about losing your employer-funded health insurance contributions.

Congress May Be Getting Its Own Obamacare Glitch Fixed

10:16pm August 02, 2013

by Julie Rovner

The Obama administration says it has solved a thorny issue that threatened the health insurance coverage of more than 10,000 congressional staffers. But critics say the administration is overstepping its legal authority.

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President Obama walks off the stage after speaking about the Affordable Care Act during an event in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. Obama argued that the law is holding insurance companies accountable and putting money back into the pockets

White House Muddles Obamacare Messaging — Again

6:13am July 20, 2013

by Julie Rovner

This summer was supposed to be a time for the Obama administration to reintroduce the public to the Affordable Care Act and teach people how to sign up for benefits this fall. But despite another White House speech, that's not happening. And an expert in political messaging thinks he knows why.

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Fans take in the view of the outfield at Denver's Coors Field as the San Diego Padres face the Colorado Rockies in June.

Insurance Pitch To Young Adults Started In Fenway Park

12:45pm July 09, 2013

by Eric Whitney

To reach young people, the new health insurance exchanges are looking for sports tie-ins. One reason is the success Massachusetts had in promoting its own health overhaul in partnership with the Boston Red Sox.

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You Ask, We Answer: Demystifying The Affordable Care Act

10:25am July 02, 2013

by Julie Rovner

Think buying health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will be confusing? You're not alone. NPR listeners asked questions that have been bugging them about state insurance exchanges and other new options. NPR health policy correspondent Julie Rovner explains how it's going to work.

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Political Fight Jeopardizes Medicaid In Mississippi

7:11pm June 22, 2013

by Jeffrey Hess

Medicaid in Mississippi provides insurance to 1 in 5 residents. But funding could stop July 1 if politicians don't act. The Legislature has brought the program to the brink over a debate about expanding it under the Affordable Care Act.

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