Published on October 22, 2011 at 2:25 AM
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Healthy Youth Act Also Protects State Economy
(The Healthy Youth Act) was passed in response to Wisconsin's public health crisis that included rising teen birthrates in 2006 and 2007 and skyrocketing sexually transmitted disease rates for young people statewide that were costing taxpayers millions. … GOP lawmakers, who recently eliminated funding for birth control programs at nonprofit health care organizations such as Planned Parenthood, have now fast-tracked an initiative to repeal the Healthy Youth Act. ... Continuing teen pregnancy prevention programs is not just common sense; it is an economic and moral imperative that demands lawmakers' attention. It is time to stop playing political games and get back to work building our economic future that includes advancing policies to enhance the health and safety of our communities (Sara Finger, 10/20).
Health Policy Solutions (a Colorado health news service): Medicare Advantage Alive And Well Under Affordable Care Act
[The federal health law] included several provisions to reduce federal spending: Reduce additional payments to (Medicare Advantage) plans over three years beginning in 2011. Require MA plans to meet an 85 percent medical-loss ratio by 2014. ... The American Association of Health Plans (the national political advocacy and trade association for health insurers) predicted these provisions would "result in seniors facing higher premiums; a reduction in additional benefits; fewer health care choices; and higher out-of-pocket costs." So far, pretty much the opposite has happened (Bob Semro, 10/20).
Houston Chronicle: The Surprising Facts About Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Early detection programs and increased public awareness have significantly decreased the number of breast cancer deaths each year. The American Cancer Society reports there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. I believe this reflects new and innovative breast cancer research, improved treatment regimens, advances in breast-imaging capabilities and the benefits of early detection (Angelica Robinson, 10/20).
 This article was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
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