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Obama's budget includes a tempered vision of health reform

Democrats' health overhaul efforts are stalled in Congress, but President Obama's 2011 budget offers a "modest" back-up plan, the Associated Press reports. "The budget released Monday contains lots of respectable ideas to squeeze savings, expand coverage and improve quality, but no ambitious change that launches the nation on a path to health care for all."

2 Feb 2010

In New Hampshire, Obama promises not to quit on health care overhaul

President Barack Obama pledged not to give up on his health care overhaul Tuesday.

2 Feb 2010

Current health reform efforts echo past struggles as chances are weighed

The chances for President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress to enact health reform is being weighed by a number of analysts, who are handicapping the outcome based on past and present experiences.

2 Feb 2010

Aetna, Grove City Medical Center sign a three-year agreement

Aetna announced today that it has signed a three-year agreement with Grove City Medical Center, expanding network access for its members in Western Pennsylvania’s Mercer County.

2 Feb 2010

Pelosi: Insurance antitrust bill next week, Dems continue health reform planning

News outlets covered the mixed signals on Capitol Hill on the prospects for Democratic health legislation.

2 Feb 2010

Another COBRA subsidy extension included in Obama's budget plan

"Federal COBRA health insurance premium subsidies provided to involuntarily terminated employees would be extended again, the Obama administration proposed Monday," Business Insurance reports. "Under the latest extension—embedded in the administration's proposed federal budget for fiscal 2011—employees who are laid off from March 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2010, would be eligible for the 65% premium subsidy for up to 12 months.

2 Feb 2010

Kool Smiles takes initiative to support children's oral care in Massachusetts

Kool Smiles is offering free toothbrushes and educational support to day care centers affected by the recent state mandate that will require day care providers to help children brush their teeth after a meal.

2 Feb 2010

Kool Smiles of Waterbury opened to offer quality dental care

It's all smiles in Waterbury thanks to the new Kool Smiles office, which opened at 728 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, CT in the Fair Oaks Shopping Center. Kool Smiles of Waterbury opened its doors on January 22nd, 2010 in a mission to expand access to quality dental care to families in the community of Waterbury.

2 Feb 2010

First Edition: February 2, 2010

Today's health policy headlines focus on highlights of President Obama's fiscal 2011 budget request and how it treats health-related programs. Meanwhile, in the background, health reform chatter continues.

2 Feb 2010

ADA's position paper addresses nutrition aspects of health care for people with developmental disabilities

The American Dietetic Association has published an updated position paper that addresses the nutrition aspects of health care for people with developmental disabilities and special health care needs.

2 Feb 2010

Mich., R.I. look for cuts in Medicaid costs; Mass. Governor suggests taxes, fees to cover rising costs

The Holland (Mich.) Sentinel reports on possible Medicaid cuts in Michigan: "After an 8 percent reduction in Medicaid reimbursement for 2010, state health organizations say additional cuts for 2011 could be overwhelming.

2 Feb 2010

States continue push back against mandates in stalled health bills

Conservative lawmakers in 34 states "are forging ahead with constitutional amendments to ban government health insurance mandates" despite the idling health reform measures in Congress, The Associated Press reports.

2 Feb 2010

Congress faces one-month deadline on doctor payment fix

The doctor payment fix and several marketplace issues, such as insurance red tape and malpractice cases, continue to loom while health care reform efforts stall.

1 Feb 2010

Humana announces consolidated revenues of $7.63 billion for fourth-quarter 2009

Humana Inc. today reported diluted earnings per common share (EPS) for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 (4Q09) of $1.48, as compared to $1.03 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 (4Q08), reflecting lower PDP claim expenses in 4Q09 than in 4Q08.

1 Feb 2010

New mental health coverage rules promise to end some discrimination

Reuters: Employer-provided group health plans must offer the same level of coverage for mental illness and drug abuse treatment as for other ailments, according to federal regulations issued on Friday.

31 Jan 2010

Lobbyists played major role in health overhaul debate

The New York Times Prescriptions blog explores how millions of dollars were spent lobbying on health care. Although President Barack Obama has blamed lobbyists for helping to stall the legislative effort, "many of those lobbyists actually worked to support his health care overhaul, not oppose it," the Times finds.

31 Jan 2010

New rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans for treatment of mental disorders issued

The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury today jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders.

30 Jan 2010

American Heart Association's statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address

President Obama's appeal to members of Congress to not walk away from health care reform and the millions of Americans who are counting on it provides hope to the many heart disease and stroke patients who are struggling to get the care they need or are one step away from medical bankruptcy.

30 Jan 2010

Governor Otter vows to fight Idaho's health care reform

As members of Congress figure out the next steps to take to tackle health care reform, Idaho's health care woes continue to grow worse by the day. It's time for Idaho's state and federal lawmakers to step up to the plate for Idaho's families, businesses, and retirees to deliver solutions as opposed to more roadblocks to addressing this critical issue.

30 Jan 2010