Healthcare & Policy News
Reporting on health care policy, insurance coverage, and federal health programs. Includes news updates and conservative commentary from The Daily Signal.
-
- News
Here’s the Face of the 20-Week Abortion Ban Debate
At 29 years old, Danielle Pickering was faced with an impossible decision: Save her own life, or that of her unborn son. “We chose not to let them induce me to save his life, at the risk of my life,” Danielle told The Daily Signal, referencing her experience with a life-threatening condition that threatened her…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
How Obamacare Will Cost Native American Tribes Millions of Dollars
Native American tribes are pushing back against a provision of Obamacare mandating that tribal governments provide health insurance to their employees. Tribal leaders say it’s a “misinterpretation” of the law that will cost millions of dollars. When Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2009, lawmakers exempted Native Americans from the individual mandate, shielding them…Melissa Quinn -
- News
Obamacare Enrollment Dropped in 29 States, Falling Below Administration Figures
Obamacare exchanges took a hit over the course of three months earlier this year as enrollment dropped in 29 states, plus Washington, D.C., resulting in a net loss of 238,119 enrollees, according to a report released Monday. Americans for Tax Reform analyzed data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, finding that enrollment in…Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
Census Confirms Health Care Coverage Expanded in 2014, but Misses That Most Expansion Was Through Medicaid
The limitations of survey data are reflected in the political adage that, “the only poll that counts is on Election Day.” In other words, real numbers trump survey projections. Even so, surveys can still add value by offering insights not otherwise inferable from the available hard data. For instance, election and voter registration data do…Edmund Haislmaier -
- News
2 of 3 Abortion Clinics in South Carolina Suspended for Violations of State Laws and Regulations
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has suspended two of three abortion clinics in the state—including a Planned Parenthood facility—for violating state law, the agency announced Friday. The clinics—Planned Parenthood of South Atlantic in Columbia and Greenville Women’s Clinic—were found by the DHEC to be in violation of state laws and regulations…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
What the Failure of the Obamacare Co-ops Teaches Us
The Obama administration is perfecting the art of the “boondoggle”—a colorful term for a taxpayer-funded project characterized by wasteful spending, gross inefficiency, or political favoritism. William Safire, the late New York Times columnist, traced the word’s origins to 1935, when the New York City Council learned that Depression relief funds were being used for puppet…Robert Moffit -
- Opinion
Next Obamacare Issue: The Definition of ‘Small Employer’
Unsurprisingly there are more problems with the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that await members of Congress coming back from their August recess. Topping the list of issues is a provision in Obamacare that changes the definition of “small employer” from “50 or fewer employees” to “100 or fewer employees,” starting January 1, 2016. While there…Edmund Haislmaier -
- News
In New Video, Planned Parenthood Business Partner Defends Abortion, ‘That’s Where We Get Our Tissue’
The Center for Medical Progress released a new undercover video on Tuesday of an employee of Advanced Bioscience Resources, Inc., a company that procures fetal organs from Planned Parenthood clinics. The video depicts a conversation an actor portraying a potential buyer from a human biologics company had with Perrin Larton, the procurement manager for Advanced…Kate Scanlon -
- News
This Obamacare Co-Op Was Supposed to Make Money. Instead, It Lost Over $15 Million.
A Nevada health insurance provider that received more than $65 million in taxpayer-funded loans from the federal government announced last week that it is discontinuing operations at the end of the year. The Nevada Health Co-Op will close its doors beginning Jan. 1 because of “challenging market conditions.” The co-op will be the third of…Melissa Quinn -
- News
‘Planned Parenthood Is Flailing’: Bobby Jindal Fights Back After Louisiana Sued for Terminating Medicaid Contract
Planned Parenthood announced it will sue Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal for terminating its Medicaid contract with the state. “Planned Parenthood is flailing,” said Mike Reed, Jindal’s communications director, in a statement to The Daily Signal. “This lawsuit is without merit and the state will aggressively defend our right to cancel the contract.” The lawsuit is…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Alaska Legislature to Sue Governor Over Unilateral Medicaid Expansion
The Alaska Legislature will sue Gov. Bill Walker in an effort to prevent him from unilaterally expanding Medicaid in the state. Christie Herrera, a senior fellow at The Foundation for Government Accountability, told The Daily Signal in an interview that the lawsuit is about “separation of powers.” “Who holds the power of the purse?” Herrera…Kate Scanlon -
- News
In New Video, StemExpress CEO Says She Wants ‘Intact Cases,’ ’50 Livers a Week’ From Abortion Facilities
The Center for Medical Progress released a new undercover video of a meeting with Cate Dyer, chief executive of StemExpress. In the video, Dyer said StemExpress procures “intact cases” from abortion facilities such as Planned Parenthood clinics. The actors portraying buyers from a human biologics company met with Dyer to discuss a potential partnership between…Kate Scanlon -
- News
‘Its Heart Is Beating’: Medical Technician Reveals Shocking Details in Latest Abortion Video
A new video released today recounts the gruesome details of harvesting of aborted baby brains. It’s the seventh video released in as many weeks by the Center for Medical Progress. A former procurement technician at StemExpress—a company that previously did business with Planned Parenthood—describes in the newest video her observation of a brain removal from a late-term male baby….Leah Jessen -
- News
Under Obamacare, Uninsured Rate Fell to Lowest Level in 50 Years. Why There’s More to That Number.
Nearly two years after Obamacare’s implementation, a new survey found that the number of uninsured Americans decreased to less than 10 percent of the population in the first three months of 2015, which is the lowest level in the survey’s 50-year history. However, experts say the change could be mostly attributed to the Obama administration’s expansion…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Why Obamacare Could be Heading to the Supreme Court (Again)
This past week, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, over the vigorous dissent of four judges on that court, denied rehearing en banc (legalese for an entire court rather than just a panel of three judges) in the case of Sissel v. United States Department of Health and Human…Andrew Kloster -
- Opinion
What States Can Do Now to Be Ready for an Obamacare Repeal
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in King v. Burwell, President Obama has claimed that Obamacare is working and here to stay. In truth, the actual effect of the Supreme Court’s decision leaves Obamacare unchanged, and the law is certainly not working well. Not only will Obamacare’s current political and operational problems continue,…Nina Owcharenko Schaefer -
- News
What GOP Candidates Said About Immigration, Abortion and the Economy in the Debate
The top 10 Republican candidates hoping to call the White House home in 2016 duked it out Thursday night for the first presidential debate of election season. Stealing the primetime slot from the seven lower-polling candidates, the top group jockeyed for attention to spotlight policy positions in an attempt to standout among the crowded bunch….Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
Eradicating Ebola With New Vaccine
A new vaccine has been found to be highly effective against the Ebola virus in the West African nation of Guinea. According to Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization: “This is an extremely promising development. The credit goes to the Guinean Government, the people living in the communities and our partners in…Jocelyn Lamb -
- Opinion
Why Defunding Planned Parenthood Wouldn’t Violate Medicaid Statutes
Later today, the Senate is scheduled to vote on a bill that would remove federal funding from Planned Parenthood. This is a good and necessary response to the shocking reports of Planned Parenthood harvesting and selling body parts from recently aborted unborn children. Ahead of the vote, supporters of Planned Parenthood are claiming the Senate…Sarah Torre -
- News
FDA Delays Obamacare Menu Labeling Mandate
The Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this month that chain restaurants have an extra year to comply with the Affordable Health Care Act mandate requiring calorie count information to be listed on menus and menu boards. This national standard applies to chain restaurants with 20 or more outlets. “Obesity is a national epidemic that…Leah Jessen