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ObamaCare isn’t generally a favorite topic for Democrats in tight Senate races around the country. Premium hikes announced this fall have made negative headlines, adding to criticism of President Obama’s signature legislative achievement. The Affordable Care Act has never been that popular in any event, and it was widely blamed for huge Democratic losses in the 2010 midterm elections. Yet in this fall’s pitched battle for the Senate, Democrats have found a part of ObamaCare that they want to tout: its expansion of Medicaid, the healthcare program for the poor. (Sullivan, 11/5)

A group of Harvard researchers released a study last fall revealing that 14 percent of the health plans sold on federal exchanges were missing at least one key specialist. Some low-cost plans have lower upfront prices, but they often have the most limited network of doctors. (Baggett, 11/4)

It’s open enrollment season, the time of year when we need to sort through confusing options and try to predict how often we’ll get sick next year. Some people, especially those shopping for plans on the Obamacare insurance exchanges are facing bigger price tags. Rolling over into the same plan may not be an option for people who learned that their plans are being eliminated or that their premiums are doubling. Workers who get insurance through their jobs may also find new options for next year, such as telemedicine services, and rising drug costs. (Marte, 11/4)