Arizona gets $30M from feds for state-based exchange
Arizona today received $30 million in grant money from the Obama administration to help the state establish a health insurance exchange.
This is on top of the $1 million in planning grant the state earlier got.
The exchange, which is aimed at making it easier for individuals and small businesses to purchase health insurance, is a key component of the federal health care ove[...]
Conservationists challenge mine near Grand Canyon
A federal judge's decision to allow a uranium mine to operate under an existing plan is being challenged.
Arizona redistricting panel to resume mapping work
Arizona's redistricting commission plans Tuesday to resume work on new maps of congressional and legislative districts now that the Arizona Supreme Court has undone Gov. Jan Brewer's attempt to fire the commission's chair.
Broaden the health care conversation to include alternatives
One of the challenges to having good choices is how inclusive those choices are with respect to the methods of care that Arizona citizens find effective and economic. To the extent those effective methods are not part of the conversation the care offered through the exchange may be inadequate or discriminatory.
Panel rejects recommendation to mandate smoking cessation coverage
A joint legislative panel today refused to recommend a proposal that would require insurance companies to cover programs to help people stop smoking.
Special session prospects look bleak for Prop. 106 repeal
With the deadline for getting a measure on the Feb. 28 ballot looming, the prospects for a special session to refer Proposition 106 back to the ballot seemed bleak.
Court teaches school district a lesson — do what you promised
Imagine hiring a builder to add a kitchen on to your house. You agree to a price, sign a contract, and take out a loan. But without consulting you, the builder decides instead to build a garage. You would sue him for violating the contract and you would win.
This is exactly what Cave Creek School District did when it broke its contract with the voters.
Campaign finance maneuvers drawing state scrutiny
The difficulty of persuading groups to comply with campaign finance reporting laws stems from a more aggressive interpretation of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that gave corporations and labor unions the same speech rights as individuals.
Brewer, hospitals announce plan to cover nearly 20,000 more on KidsCare
Three Arizona hospital systems are pooling their money to take advantage of a federal program that will cover nearly 20,000 more children under the KidsCare program while also providing millions of dollars to offset the cost of covering uninsured patients.
Loophole enables groups to conceal sources of electioneering money
The elections last month exposed what appears to be a gaping hole in Arizona’s campaign finance laws: The inability of elections officials to force groups to register as political committees or report their spending.
Feds approve another cut for AZ Medicaid providers
Federal health officials have approved an additional 5 percent cut in the rates Arizona pays hospitals and other health-care providers to treat Medicaid patients.
Commission returns to work on mapping political districts
The stormy legal battle over the removal – then the reinstatement – of Independent Redistricting Commission Chairwoman Colleen Mathis has dominated the coverage of the group over the past month. But the commission is more than just high drama and analysis of the political fallout.