health care reform bill

Finally! A Health Insurance Plan I Understand

Last month, new regulations were issued under the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) requiring insurance companies to make choosing a plan simpler. Specifically, the new rules require insurers to publish forms providing "clear, consistent and comparable information" about the health-care plans they offer.

More Americans Turn to Acupuncture as Medical Costs Rise

A year after President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law, many Americans are still struggling to get their insurance to cover basic medical treatments. And now, they are increasingly exploring less expensive alternatives to traditional Western medicine -- like acupuncture.

State of the Union: Obama Eager to Fix Health Reform Law

In his State of the Union address, President Obama didn't shy away from tackling the ongoing questions about the health care reform law head on. And though he opened with a joke, he made it clear that while he's serious about repairing any flaws in the law, repeal is not an option.

Is Health Care Reform Working in Massachusetts?

As the battle over repealing Obama's health care law moves to the Senate, some supporters of the president's efforts point out that reform measures have been in effect in Massachusetts for four years. So it's fair to ask: What impact has health care reform had in the Bay State?

New Report: Fewer Americans Have Health Insurance

As health-care costs skyrocket, the ranks of uninsured Americans are growing at their fastest rate ever. A new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities finds that 50.7 million people, or 16.7% of the population, had no health coverage in 2009, up from 46.4 million, or 15.4%, in 2008.

Tech and Reform Will Boost Health Care Costs

Development of technologically advanced -- and expensive -- lifesaving treatments will continue to increase as the new health care reform law is phased in over the next few years.

Health Care Costs Will Rise About 10.6% in Next Year

Health care costs will increase between 10.5% and 11% over the next year, marginally higher than last year's rise, consulting firm Aon said Wednesday. Aon pins the increase on factors such as rising prescription drug costs and the effects of the health care reform law passed this spring.

Legal Briefing: Missouri Voters Reject Health Care Reform

Among the legal news Wednesday: Missouri voters passed a ballot measure that would block the government from forcing people to buy health insurance; BP faces a class action suit from pollution at a Texas refinery, art dealer Lawrence Salander, who defrauded his clients of $120 million, is sentenced to state prison.

Virginia's Health Care Reform Lawsuit Goes Forward

U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson ruled Monday that Virginia's lawsuit against the health care reform law can proceed to a hearing on the merits. By agreeing that the state has a right to bring the suit, he has, in effect, agreed to rule on the constitutionality of health care reform.

Stocks in the News: UnitedHealth, Wellpoint

Health care companies will be in focus Monday as a sweeping health care overhaul bill clears the House, ending months of heated debate. As the bill heads to President Obama for his signature, one expert expects cheap health care stocks to outperform in the coming months.

Back to 14,000 for the Dow?

Up 50 percent since March 2009, can the Dow keep rising? "We will hit 14,000, perhaps not in a year, but probably in a couple of years," says Robert Doll, global chief investment officer at giant asset manager BlackRock. Here's his thinking.

Dialysis Firm DaVita 'Nervous' About Reform

While DaVita says health reform would allow the dialysis-center operator to offer more integrated care, it could hurt business if Medicare recipients become an even bigger part of its patient load. CEO Kent Thiry reviews the pros and cons of reform.