Affordable Care Act

The president still promises "a great health care package" — but not until after the next election. His comments come after a phone call with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Trump administration's decision to fight for total repeal of the Affordable Care Act in court sent shock waves across Congress, where lawmakers were caught off guard by the renewed repeal effort.

A letter from the Department of Justice announced the shift, in support of a district court judge's ruling that the law is unconstitutional. The case is likely to end up in the Supreme Court.

Well-known insurers are selling new sorts of health plans outside the Affordable Care Act exchanges that may sound cheaper but aren't necessarily. Some, for example, charge extra for common surgeries.

While some officials urge expansion of the Medicare system, several states are mulling a different way to ensure residents have affordable coverage: help them buy into a Medicaid-like plan.

Political fights over health care continue to flare. In Utah, angry voters say lawmakers are disregarding their wishes by trying to limit the scope of a ballot referendum that expanded Medicaid.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Rep. John Dingell was instrumental in expanding the Medicaid program, reshaping Medicare and modernizing the Food and Drug Administration. He died Thursday night.

The idea, they say, would be to eliminate the health insurance industry and replace it with government-run health insurance. The industry is already gearing up to oppose any moves in that direction.

Monday's ruling follows a more limited one by another judge on Sunday. The policy makes good on Trump's promise to peel back the requirement that employers offer contraception coverage at no cost.

Congressional Democrats want to protect health coverage and protections of the Affordable Care Act. With the Senate in Republican hands, House Democrats will hold hearings and may turn to the courts.

Republican Orrin Hatch is leaving the Senate after 42 years. He led bipartisan efforts to get health care for more kids and AIDS patients. He also thrived on donations from the drug industry.

If the decision of a judge in Texas to invalidate the federal health law holds up, expect broad effects on your health care — from insurance coverage to Medicare payments to pre-existing conditions.