Health News

Being depressed is known to increase the risk for stroke. Now a new study suggests that the association is even stronger in younger women.    

Nearly 23 years after the Americans With Disabilities Act went into effect, patients with disabilities continue to receive inadequate medical care — and many cannot even get a doctor’s appointment.    

Thirteen insurers had been chosen to sell policies through the insurance marketplace — or exchange — being created under the law.    

A reader asks whether white-coat hypertension — the tendency to develop high blood pressure at the sight of a doctor’s garb — is common and dangerous.    

The monthly cost for policies sold on the state-run exchange came in lower than the 30 percent rate increases some had anticipated, though some consumers will still experience sharply higher premiums. Blue Shield of California estimated that current customers would see rate increases of about 13 percent.

In addition, the legislative debate continues in Texas while in Florida there's speculation about what's to become of the state's uninsured population now that the legislature didn't take action.

This week's studies come from JAMA Internal Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Annals of Family Medicine, The Kaiser Family Foundation, the Health Care Cost Institute and various news outlets.

A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.

A selection of health policy stories from Louisiana, Oregon, Connecticut, Kansas, North Carolina, California, and New York.

The bill, which is national in scope, is a response to the conviction of abortion provider Kermit Gosnell as well as a range of new state laws.

The key question that seems to have stalled progress for House lawmakers is how to handle immigrants who do not have health insurance.

Some of the political ebb and flow is exactly as expected, with news reports noting that Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., a staunch opponent of the overhaul, is focused on linking the Internal Revenue Scandal with the health law. However, in other coverage, The Associated Press reports that some labor unions, which were strong advocates, have become increasingly frustrated with some aspects of the law. In addition, a Republican Arizona legislator received threats in response to her support for an effort to pursue the Medicaid expansion.

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details on California's new health insurance exchange rates, whether consumers will experience "rate shock" and what these numbers say about the health law's implementation.

On Thursday, the state cleared 13 health plans to offer insurance in its Obamacare online marketplace - at prices that are lower than expected.

Covered California -- the state insurance exchange -- has announced a premium rate structure for health plans participating in the online marketplace. Officials also said that 13 health insurers will offer plans through the exchange. New York Times et al.

A report by Nevada-appointed consultants says that the state should enact several changes to curb a psychiatric hospital's practice of busing patients to California and other states. However, the report says that the busing of patients sometimes is appropriate. Sacramento Bee.

Business executives and lawmakers are concerned about a proposed rule that allows employers to award workers as much as 30% of their health coverage costs for participating in wellness programs, an increase from the current 20%. The Hill's "RegWatch," CQ HealthBeat.

House lawmakers seek an agreement on legislation that would allow certain immigrants to purchase health coverage. House members disagree on whether immigrants should be deported if they do not obtain insurance or fail to pay health care bills. Los Angeles Times et al.

Kaweah Delta Medical Center has unveiled to the public its new $2.7 million helipad, which is scheduled to open June 3. The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System has entered into negotiations to sell St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica to Providence Health & Services.

Health insurance premiums for Covered California, the state-run marketplace, are lower than expected.

Amid anxiety over rising costs from the federal healthcare law, California received better-than-expected insurance rates for a new state-run marketplace, but many consumers still won't be spared from sharply higher premiums.