Cheers for Brewer at Tucson stop to tout Medicaid expansion

Gov. Jan Brewer led a lively “pep rally” for Medicaid expansion at Tucson Medical Center this morning , drawing cheers, shouts of support and a standing ovation from about 250 local healthcare executives, business leaders and regular citizens.

Brewer vetoes bill requiring medical pricing disclosure

PHOENIX — Saying there are technical problems with the proposal, Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed legislation Friday which would have allowed individuals to shop around for the best price on health care needs.

Charging smokers more for health policy makes sense

The following editorial appeared Thursday in the Washington Post:

Health-care overhaul could lead to higher premiums, some backers now say

WASHINGTON — Less than a year before Americans will be required to have insurance under President Obama’s health-care law, many of its backers are growing increasingly anxious that premiums could jump, driven up by the legislation itself.

Blog: Grijalva calls Arizona health exchange a missed opportunity

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has decided that the federal government and not the state will run the health exchange required under the new federal health law.

Pima County to self-fund its employees' health care

Buoyed by the improved health of its employees, Pima County has decided to self-fund the health insurance it provides to workers.

Arizona's KidsCare insurance program accepting applications

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s temporary health insurance program for children from low-income families is again accepting new applications for coverage.

Brewer takes step required by federal healthcare law

Gov. Jan Brewer has selected a standardized health insurance plan for Arizona under the new federal law. It has comprehensive benefits for behavioral health, including serious mental illness, but does not include elective abortion.

Healthcare talk prompts cheers, jeers at CD1 debate

A large crowd at the Congressional District 1 debate Monday night revived the raucous spirit of 2010 when the candidates discussed the inflammatory issue of health care.

Enrollment for health plans to be easier now

By Matthew Perrone

Job-based health insurance for family nears $16,000

WASHINGTON - Annual premiums for job-based family health insurance went up just 4 percent this year, but that's no comfort with the price tag approaching $16,000 and rising more than twice as fast as wages.

No access to medical care called Pima County's biggest health concern

Pima County’s biggest health problem is a lack of access to medical care, a new report says.

Arizona seeks to cancel domestic partner benefits

PHOENIX — State officials are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow it to cancel insurance benefits for the domestic partners of state and university workers who are gay.

Blog: Arizonans call health ruling disheartening, historic

Arizona voices on Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision:

Health-care ruling personal for Arizona man

After reaching a lifetime cap of $300,000 on his student insurance plan in January, 31-year-old colon cancer patient Arijit Guha did fundraising in between chemo treatments to pay for thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Arizonans react to health-care ruling

Arizona voices on Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision:

Arizona angle on health care law

NUMBER OF UNINSURED: 1.21 million state residents not covered, or about 19 percent

3 big insurers pledge to keep parts of disputed health law

WASHINGTON - As speculation over the fate of the federal health-care law heightens ahead of the Supreme Court ruling, at least three major insurers promised Monday to continue following some of the rules in the law that already are in effect.

Raytheon retirees win in court again over health-benefits cut

An appellate court has reaffirmed an earlier ruling that Raytheon Missile Systems acted improperly by cutting off health benefits to union retirees.

Contraception legislation set for AZ Senate floor debate

PHOENIX - Senate President Steve Pierce cleared the way for a floor debate this week on legislation allowing employers to refuse to provide contraceptive coverage for their workers on religious grounds.