Health Care Reform

Several groups have urged state agencies to block the deal, saying the merger would limit competition and drive up the cost of prescription drugs.

Verma said the program's myriad troubles underscore why she opposes calls for dramatically widening eligibility for Medicare.

Single-payer is a hot topic every election season, but this year seems a bit different. We asked brokers to predict how such a system would affect their business.

"It's no secret that we preferred to start over," McConnell said of Republican efforts repeal and replace Obamacare.

Nearly 79 percent of Americans don't know when federal open enrollment takes place this year, compared to 76 percent last year.

The effort will focus on staffing, surgical outcomes and patient experience in facilities that are performing increasingly complex procedures and seeing more aging patients.