The Department of Health and Human Services released analysis estimating that 50 to 129 million non-elderly Americans have preexisting conditions. The HHS analysis emphasizes the fact that, under the new healthcare reformlaw, Americans with preexisting conditions cannot be penalized in the form of coverage denial or higher premiums

Republicans won another victory over the healthcare reform law, as a federal judge in Florida declared that a federal requirement to buy health insurance is unconstitutional. He sided with the 26 states that challenged the law, knocking it down in its entirety. With appeals expected, the question over the law's constitutionality will ultimately rest with the Supreme Court. Until then, there's a number of ways the opponents of the law can keep up their fight

A funny thing happened on the way to repeal of President Obama's health care reform plan in the House: the vast majority of Americans decided they liked the new plan after all, and didn't want to see it repealed.

With the Capitol building at their backs conservative GOP House members braced against the icy Washington weather and held an outdoor press conference, urging the repeal of the president's healthcare reform law. But the political theater wasn't for naught, as lawmakers on both sides used the vote to motivate their base and to reset their arguments for a debate over healthcare reform

Forget the symbolic vote to repeal health care. Republicans don't have the votes to override Obama's sure veto. The real move happens later, when Republicans try to cut the money needed to implement the law's requirement that all Americans buy health insurance

Expect to see changes in your health insurance plan for 2011 during your employer's open-enrollment season this fall. Employers will be making some changes to their health-insurance plans for 2011 because of health-care reform -- such as offering coverage to children up to age 26 -- and as a way to help control rising health-care costs

For years, medical facilities have asked patients to hand over their insurance copayments when they sign in. But recently the business office has gotten more demanding. Many institutions, facing a growing mountain of bad debt, are no longer willing to take it on faith that the bills will eventually be paid and are demanding up-front payments in elective or nonemergency situations

New health plans beginning on or after Sept. 23 will have to provide free preventive care. Grandfathered plans are exempt from the requirements, which were ordered in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' HealthCare.gov makes it easy to learn about all of your personal health-insurance options. The site, created in just the 100 days after the health-care-reform law was passed, launched on July 1.

How much is long-term care expected to cost in 20 to 30 years? I'm in my 50s now and am wondering what the price might be to receive care in a nursing home or my home in the future.