Cost-containment

• 2013 deficit estimate lowered to $642 billion

  By Andrew Taylor  |  May 15, 2013

  The budget deficit for the current year is projected to come in well below what was estimated just a few months ago.

• DOD poised to trim furlough days, add exemptions

  By Lolita C. Baldor  |  May 14, 2013

  The Defense Department announced plans to furlough about 680,000 of its civilian employees for 11 days through the end of this fiscal year.

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  Ammo against PPACA? Medical discount cards

  By Gina Binole  |  May 14, 2013

  Employers increasingly are turning to medical discount cards as a way to boost benefits and employee spirits without busting their bottom lines.

• Drug manufacturer agrees to $500 million penalty

  By Eric Tucker  |  May 13, 2013

  A subsidiary of an Indian pharmaceutical company has agreed to pay $500 million fines and civil penalties for selling adulterated drugs and lying about tests to federal regulators.

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  CEOs lobby for PPACA wellness program

  By Allen Greenberg  |  May 8, 2013

  One of the nation’s leading business groups is pressing President Obama to ensure incentives for job-sponsored wellness programs remain part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

• Some hospitals charge vastly more for same care

  By Lauran Neergaard  |  May 8, 2013

  Data being released for the first time by the government on Wednesday shows that hospitals charge Medicare wildly differing amounts — sometimes 10 to 20 times what Medicare typically reimburses — for the same procedure, raising questions about how hospitals determine prices and why they differ so widely.

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  PPACA’s impact on part-timers likely overblown

  By Allen Greenberg  |  May 7, 2013

  The number of part-time U.S. workers who could see their hours cut because of PPACA could reach as high as 2.3 million, a figure considerably lower than some have theorized.

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  Heritage study sets off immigration bill squabble

  By Erica Werner  |  May 6, 2013

  A bipartisan Senate immigration bill would cost the government a net $6.3 trillion over the next 50 years to provide benefits for millions of people now living in the U.S. illegally.

• Analyst raises ratings on Humana, UnitedHealth

  By Associated Press  |  May 6, 2013

  Shares of UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Humana Inc. climbed Monday, after a J.P. Morgan analyst said the insurers should be able to grow their Medicare Advantage enrollment despite looming reimbursement cuts.

• Many in private exchange choosing lower-priced options

  By Allen Greenberg  |  May 6, 2013

  Could PPACA insurance exchanges encourage people to try to save money in their health care benefit choices?