Â鶹ŮÓÅ

University of Pennsylvania researchers find variations are significant. Other news about the online health marketplaces that open next month include Oregon's decision to ditch the old system for Medicaid enrollment, a review of navigators' roles in Georgia, and Maryland officials' assurances that their system will be ready.

With large companies facing potential fines next year for not offering health insurance, some are looking at approaches such as enrolling employees in Medicaid, reports The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, the federal government posts a notice Tuesday saying that it will continue to fund an optional health insurance program for the working poor in 2016.

The Ohio governor is engaged in a spat with The Associated Press after the news outlet published comments in which he said he didn't think the health law would be repealed. He has since offered further explanation, saying that he doesn't think the Medicaid expansion -- which he views as separate from the overhaul -- should be undone.

Health care continues to be a big issue, though not as important as the economy.

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn's list includes various programs that continue to receive funding even as National Institutes of Health officials express concern about the slowing of disease research.

Hospital ownership of physician groups increased patient care costs by as much as 20 percent, according to the UC Berkeley study. Meanwhile, another study by Harvard researchers finds that switching to for-profit status may boost hospitals' financial health but has no effect on quality of care.

A Pew Research Center survey finds 41 percent of Americans say they worry they or someone in their families will be "exposed" to the Ebola virus, up from 32 percent two weeks ago. Public confidence in the government's ability to combat the disease has also dropped, finds a Gallup poll. Meanwhile, GOP doctors in the House of Representatives seek a temporary travel ban for West African countries affected by Ebola.

A selection of health policy stories from Maine, Arizona, Missouri, Oregon, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kentucky and Connecticut.

A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.