Massachusetts

• New Mexico changing its plans for health exchange

  By Barry Massey  |  May 21, 2013

  New Mexico is switching gears on its plan for a health insurance exchange and initially will partner with the federal government for computer services needed for an online insurance marketplace.

• Is Medicare Advantage in danger?

  By Pam Black  |  May 21, 2013

  At the end of February, the federal government was set to cut payments to Medicare by 2.2 percent. Suddenly, on April 1, the whole situation was reversed: Not only were funds for Medicare not cut, they were increased by 3.3 percent. To Washington outsiders, it sounds like an April Fool’s...

• California bill would strip health agency secrecy

  By Michael R. Blood  |  May 21, 2013

  Two lawmakers are pushing legislation to strip broad secrecy provisions from the state agency overseeing health care reforms in California that could shield from the public how hundreds of millions of dollars are spent, officials said Monday.

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  Tech helps to usher in big changes in benefits

  By Nathan Solheim  |  May 15, 2013

  Technology has made a profound impact on the benefits industry, and it’s sure to change the way brokers and agents do business for decades to come.

• Landmark $240M EEOC verdict to be slashed to $1.6M

  By Ryan J. Foley  |  May 13, 2013

  A $240 million verdict awarded to 32 mentally disabled Iowa plant workers who were subjected to years of abuse by their handlers will be reduced to just $1.6 million.

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  Employer coverage up under Massachusetts health law

  By Kathryn Mayer  |  May 13, 2013

  If Massachusetts’ own health reform is any indication, employer-sponsored health insurance will be safe under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

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  Calif. exchange granted secrecy

  By Michael R. Blood  |  May 9, 2013

  A California law that created an agency to oversee national health care reforms granted it broad authority to conceal spending on the contractors that will perform most of its functions, potentially shielding the public from seeing how hundreds of millions of dollars are spent.

• Health reform in our time

  By Denis Storey  |  May 1, 2013

  1993—U.S. Sen. John Chafee, R-Rhode Island, introduces the “Health Equity and Access Reform Act,” which includes a mandate, complete a non-compliance “penalty.” Supporters include Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Republican Kit Bond from Missouri.

• 1. Health reform in our time

  By Denis Storey  |  April 30, 2013

  A timeline of health reform, the moments, turning points and events that defined the debate, 1993-present.

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  The least stressed-out state is ...

  By Kathryn Mayer  |  April 26, 2013

  Feeling stressed? Here’s a fun solution: Try moving to Hawaii.