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Sylvia Burwell

Big premium increases on the way for Obamacare plans

Big premium increases on the way for Obamacare plans

WASHINGTON — Premiums for health plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act will rise sharply next year, and insurer defections in some states will leave consumers with substantially fewer coverage options, the federal government reported. Premiums will increase, on average, 25% for mid-level plans on the federal health insurance exchange, according to the Department of

HHS projects rise in ACA health coverage

HHS projects rise in ACA health coverage

It was just a blip — maybe you missed it — but health care was indeed mentioned in last night’s presidential debate in Las Vegas. And it wasn’t Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump that brought it up. During the discussion on the economy, moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News tried to get the candidates to

ACA progresses, but costs still a big hurdle

ACA progresses, but costs still a big hurdle

Several recent reports help illuminate the state of the nation’s health care reform efforts by examining progress under major aspects of the Affordable Care Act. President Obama signed the legislation into law in March 2010 with three overarching objectives — establishing new protections for health care consumers, enhancing access to care, and improving quality while

Califf confirmed as new FDA commissioner

Califf confirmed as new FDA commissioner

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Dr. Robert Califf as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Califf, who was deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco, was nominated as FDA commissioner by President Barack Obama in mid-September. No significant opposition was expected for his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, as the Senate voted 89-4

Enrollment on health insurance exchanges hits 12.7 million

WASHINGTON — About 12.7 million Americans signed up for 2016 health insurance coverage through the government insurance exchanges, surpassing expectations, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said earlier this month. The government began offering subsidies for individual insurance in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act, frequently referred to as Obamacare, and charges a penalty

Congress votes to repeal ACA; Obama responds with veto

Congress votes to repeal ACA; Obama responds with veto

WASHINGTON — President Obama has vetoed congressional legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act. Repeal bills passed by the House and Senate “would reverse the significant progress we have made in improving health care in America,” Obama said. Noting that 17.6 million Americans have gained health care coverage under the law, he said the

As health care battle persists, pharmacy moves ahead

As health care battle persists, pharmacy moves ahead

    Clearly, health care reform will remain a contentious issue during the current presidential election cycle and beyond. The House of Representatives started the new year by voting to gut the Affordable Care Act. Passage of the legislation, by a 240-to-181 margin that closely mirrored the breakdown among parties in the Republican-controlled body, together

HHS’ Burwell asks pharmacies to help spur ACA enrollment

SAN ANTONIO — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell stopped at an H-E-B grocery store here, where she drew attention to the December 15 enrollment deadline for consumers who wanted their health insurance plans to become active on ­January 1. Although open enrollment for 2016 health insurance plans continued through

Health care turmoil creates opportunity for Rx

Health care turmoil creates opportunity for Rx

More than five years after enactment of the Affordable Care Act, a measure designed to extend coverage to the uninsured and control expenditures, the turmoil in the U.S. health care system shows no signs of abating. Millions of Americans are still without health coverage, and health care costs continue to increase faster than the overall

Enrollment on health exchanges to grow slowly

Enrollment on health exchanges to grow slowly

WASHINGTON — Slow growth is foreseen for health insurance enrollment through the Affordable Care Act exchanges, the Obama administration said this month. Coverage by the end of 2016 will barely exceed current levels, the administration said. Sign-ups during the ACA’s upcoming open enrollment season will bring the number of covered individuals to 10 million, up

NCPA, HHS team up to drive enrollment

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The National Community Pharmacists Association is working with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help spur enrollment in health insurance plans. In a welcome video aired Monday at the 2015 NCPA Annual Convention and Trade Exposition, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell unveiled a partnership with NCPA in which community

HHS lays groundwork for ACA enrollment

HHS lays groundwork for ACA enrollment

WASHINGTON — The government vows to conduct an extensive outreach initiative during the Affordable Care Act’s upcoming open enrollment period in an attempt to enroll millions of eligible but difficult-to-reach Americans who have yet to sign up for health insurance. “Those who are still uninsured are going to be a bigger challenge,” Department of Health

ACA generates headlines in a variety of contexts

WASHINGTON — Some 13% of people who enrolled in health insurance plans this year under the Affordable Care Act have lost coverage, many because they failed to pay their share of premiums, the Obama administration ­reported. The number of people on the rolls as of March 31 stood at 10.2 million, down from the 11.7

ACOs spearhead shift to value-based care

ACOs spearhead shift to value-based care

Recently, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced a lofty goal of tying 50% of all traditional Medicare payments to alternative payment models, such as accountable care organizations (ACOs) or bundled payment arrangements, by the year 2018. In announcing these ambitious goals, Burwell stated, “Whether you are a patient, a provider, a

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