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For a Southern state where President Barack Obama is deeply unpopular and Republicans dominate federal elections, Kentucky stands out for having created a well-regarded health exchange and having expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. That dynamic will be put to the test in November’s gubernatorial election. (Campo-Flores, 7/12)

District residents who want to purchase individual insurance plans on the city’s health exchange will have fewer options next year. In fact, individuals searching for more flexibility than that offered by health maintenance organizations will have just one carrier to choose from — and the cost for some of its plans may jump by double digits. (Davis, 7/10)

Having survived what might well have been a mortal threat with a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court in the King v. Burwell case, the Obama administration’s signature legislative achievement got some more good news on Friday when the Gallup polling organization reported that the percentage of Americans lacking health insurance has hit the lowest level it has ever measured. (Garver, 7/10)

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, continues to inspire heated debate between supporters and opponents, with plenty of disagreement even years after it initially became law. Yet even though Americans have become more familiar with Obamacare, there are still some little-known provisions that can snare the unwary. One particularly onerous hit can cost you thousands of dollars in Obamacare subsidies, and it can strike if you earn even a single dollar above a limit that the healthcare law imposes. Let's look more closely at what has become known as the Obamacare subsidy cliff and why it can cost you thousands of dollars if you don't take action to avoid it. (Caplinger, 7/12)