The Supreme Court is filling its entire court calendar the week of March 26 with arguments relating to the impending review of the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA); totaling five and a half hours over three days with a decision expected in late June.

The Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI), a health research initiative led by payors Aetna, Humana, Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare, was launched to allow researchers and policymakers access to a collection of health plan and government payor data. The HCCI said this initiative will offer new insights into healthcare costs, utilization and intensity, as well as inform the public policy process and assist in developing new solutions to long-term problems confronting the healthcare system.

In the hot-bed of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) legal arena, two appeals court decisions were filed on Aug. 12 indicating the fractious nature of the constitutionality of the individual mandate provision.

The American Medical Association (AMA) voted June 20 at its annual meeting to continue its policy supporting individual responsibility for health insurance with assistance for those who cannot afford it.