Hagel blasts states on same-sex benefits
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Thursday sharply criticized U.S. states that are defying the Pentagon by refusing to allow National Guard facilities to
Obama to cite Mass. health care law’s slow start
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is citing the Massachusetts health care system’s slow start to keep expectations low for early sign-ups for his own overhaul.
GOP set to question Sebelius on health law
Republicans plan to seek answers from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Obama administration’s troubled start for its health care website to buy insurance, and are raising concerns about the privacy of information that applicants submit under the new system.
Citizens learn about new healthcare law
More than two dozen Columbus citizens gathered at the Trotter Convention Center Wednesday afternoon for a tutorial on the Affordable Care Act.
Obama health target: 500,000 signups by Oct. 31
WASHINGTON — For the first month alone, the Obama administration projected that nearly a half million people would sign up for the new health insurance
Brokers and agents simplify, confuse health exchange shopping
This month’s glitch-filled rollout of the health insurance marketplaces created by federal law is a business opportunity for brokers and agents, but regulators warn that
Obama to public: Don’t give up on health sign-ups
WASHINGTON — Defending the shaky rollout of his health care law, President Barack Obama said frustrated Americans “definitely shouldn’t give up” on the problem-plagued program
Shutdown or not, health insurance markets open today
Millions of Americans will be able to shop for the first time today on the insurance marketplaces that are at the heart of President Barack Obama’s health care reforms, entering a world that is supposed to simplify the mysteries of health coverage but could end up making it even more confusing, at least initially.
Health overhaul confuses Medicare beneficiaries
Dear seniors, your Medicare benefits aren’t changing under the Affordable Care Act. That’s the message federal health officials are trying to get out to elderly consumers confused by overlapping enrollment periods for Medicare and so-called “Obamacare.”
Health law challenge threatens government shutdown
A conservative challenge to the president’s health care law has the federal government teetering on the brink of a partial shutdown.
The Senate has the next move on must-do legislation required to keep the government open past midnight today.
Unemployment aid applications rise to 336K
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week after reaching the lowest level in 5 ½ years. But the broader
Same-sex spouses may get military benefits
WASHINGTON — Same-sex spouses of military members could get health care, housing and other benefits by the end of August under a proposal being considered
Budget office report says Senate immigration bill would boost economy
Supporters of a far-reaching immigration bill in the Senate see fresh momentum from a report by the Congressional Budget Office that says the measure would boost the economy and reduce federal deficits by billions of dollars.
Costs of US wars linger more than 100 years
If history is any judge, the U.S. government will be paying for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars for the next century as service members and their families grapple with the sacrifices of combat.
Panel questions value of calcium, vitamin D pills
Popping calcium and vitamin D pills in hopes of strong bones? Healthy older women shouldn’t bother with relatively low-dose dietary supplements, say new recommendations from a government advisory group.
Report: Jobless pay needless bank fees
Jobless Americans are paying millions in unnecessary fees to collect unemployment benefits because of state policies encouraging them to get the money through bank-issued payment cards, according to a new report from a consumer group.
Obama: Debt limit fight imperils elderly’s checks
Declaring “we are not a deadbeat nation,” President Obama warned on Monday that Social Security checks and veterans’ benefits will be delayed if congressional Republicans fail to increase the government’s borrowing authority in a looming showdown over the nation’s debt and spending.