National health spending will increase modestly over the next decade, propelled in part by the gradual rebound of the U.S. economy and the growing ranks of Americans who became insured under the health law, government actuaries projected Wednesday.

The Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce has a new battle plan in its fight to keep members insured. Mandates in the Affordable Care Act are forcing the chamber to surrender its group-health policies.

Things aren’t always as clear-cut as they seem. We’ve been advising consumers that they can’t buy plans through the state exchange until Nov. 15, unless they have a qualifying life event such as a relocation, birth or marriage.

The first year of enrollment under the federal health care law was marred by the troubled start of HealthCare.gov, rampant confusion among consumers and a steep learning curve for insurers and government officials alike.

The Legislature this week gave its final approval to a bill designed to help families understand health care options and gain access to coverage when they enroll their children in school.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has hired a public exchange manager with many years of experience in the commercial health insurance industry to oversee the public exchange system.