First Edition: September 27, 2010

In today's health policy headlines, more speculation about how the new health law could be impacted by the midterm congressional elections.

As They Consolidate, Hospitals Get Pricier
Kaiser Health News staff writer Julie Appleby, working in collaboration with The Washington Post, reports: "From their base in Baltimore, leaders of Johns Hopkins Medicine can see the future — and it's at the hospital down the road. The world-class academic medical center is reaching deep into new territory, last year acquiring a hospital in suburban Maryland and now awaiting approval to add Sibley Memorial in the District to its roster of hospitals and clinics" (Kaiser Health News).  

KHN Column - Returning To The Argument: Can Health Reform Reduce Costs?
In his latest Kaiser Health News column, done in collaboration with The New Republic, Jonathan Cohn writes: "Here we are again, having yet another argument about whether health care reform can really reduce costs" (Kaiser Health News). 

KHN Column - Empty Promises
In his latest Kaiser Health News column, John Goodman writes: "Let us suppose that Congress did something really silly. Say it passed a law promising everyone a free annual trip to visit the moon. Surely even the densest reporter would have the presence of mind to ask, 'How are you going to get 300 million people to the moon and back?' Yet Congress did something almost that silly last spring. It promised almost everyone in the country access to a whole slew of preventive services with no copay or deductible" (Kaiser Health News).

AP Poll: Many Think Health Overhaul Should Do More
President Barack Obama's health care overhaul has divided the nation, and Republicans believe their call for repeal will help them win elections in November. But the picture's not that clear cut (The Associated Press).

What Happens To Health Law If GOP Wins Congress?
Just as several provisions of the new health care law went into effect this week, Republicans unveiled a campaign agenda that vows to repeal the overhaul and replace it with far more limited changes. But could Republicans really get rid of the law? (NPR).

Health Care Overhaul Becomes Campaign Weapon
Since it was signed by President Obama and became law six months ago, a funny thing has happened to the health care overhaul: It's lost support among the public (NPR).

Kaiser Health News tracked weekend news coverage of health policy issues, including how health reform politics are factoring into the mid-term election cycle and how college health plans may be sidestepping the new health law. 

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