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... Action Network: "Today’s vote is a key step forward for thousands of low-income, uninsured Wyoming residents to gain access to lifesaving health care services. This year, an estimated 3,050 residents will be diagnosed with cancer and far too many will be uninsured when they receive this devastating news. "Medicaid expansion is critical to saving lives from cancer. The health insurance coverage provided through Medicaid helps to improve outcomes, save lives and reduce the burden of cancer by offering access to ...

... Medical Loss Ratio   The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to spend at least 80 percent of their premium revenue on health care claims and quality improvement costs. Beginning this year, insurers who miss the target are required to rebate the difference to policy holders. Late last week the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the final rule governing medical loss ratio (MLR) calculations, the percentage insurers spend on benefits ...

Late Friday, a U.S. District Court judge in Texas overturned the Affordable Care Act and ruled that the entire health care law is unconstitutional.  While the ruling could eventually eliminate critical protections for people like cancer patients and survivors, it will not immediately impact their health coverage. The law remains as-is during the appeals process. And, some of the state attorneys general who are defending the law have already ...

Federal Update   Essential Benefits   The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is expected to release its final report on essential health benefits on Friday. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), however, is unlikely to release a final rule until May 2012.  The Affordable Care Act required the IOM to provide HHS with principles to guide the development of the essential health benefits health most plans will be ...