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GOP emphasizing need for states to lead on health reform

A leading Senate Republican said Friday that the welfare reforms put in place during the 1990s, which gave states considerable flexibility, should be used as the model for the shape of a health law replacement plan.

14 Mar 2011

Waivers continue to be flashpoints in health overhaul's implementation

More than 1,040 waiver requests have been approved so far by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding so-called "mini-med" plans. But the perplexing question appears to be how HHS will handle the requests in 2012 and 2013, before a major provision of the health law takes effect. In addition, anticipation continues to mount in regard to the upcoming release of ACO regs.

14 Mar 2011

Public opinion turns political dynamics of health reform

It appears that the public is still not embracing the new federal health law to the extent Democrats had hoped. As a result, Politico reports that Republican candidates for President and Congress may talk about the measure more than some Democrats — except, of course, when Democrats praise former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney for signing his home state's law.

14 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Sebelius, Harkin, Wyden, King, Altman, Butler weigh in on health reform law

Early signs show that, after years of decline, the number of small businesses offering coverage to employees is increasing. Perhaps less widely recognized, but no less significant, has been the way the law is demanding transparency and accountability from the insurance industry to bring down premiums.

14 Mar 2011

First Edition: March 14, 2011

In today's headlines, news about the major issues that continue to rise to the surface in the health overhaul debate.

14 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Health law's individual mandate, fighting the deficit by pinching health care pennies

Like anyone who writes regularly about what passes for economic and fiscal debate in American politics, I've developed a strong tolerance for nonsense. After all, if I got upset every time powerful people were illogical and/or dishonest, I'd spend every waking hour in a state of raging despair. ... if you're serious about deficits, you shouldn't be pinching pennies now; you should be looking for ways to rein in health spending over the long term.

11 Mar 2011

Research Roundup: Mass. medical bankruptcies; Palliative care teams work; Innovative health IT

The theme for the current issue of Health Affairs Is "Profiles of Innovation in Health Care Delivery."

11 Mar 2011

Longer looks: Best health policy picks from thought-provoking publications

Every Thursday, KHN's Jessica Marcy compiles this selection of interesting perspectives, from a variety of publications, on health care in America.

11 Mar 2011

GOP budget choices: Offer politically risky cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or 'play it safe'?

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan signals that he is "ready to take on health programs" as Capitol Hill continues to struggle with long-term spending concerns. Meanwhile, lawmakers continue talks regarding the current year spending measure still under consideration. A new continuing resolution that would fund government operations until April 8 has emerged.

11 Mar 2011

Health care experts, lawmakers discuss the overhaul's future

News outlets offer various perspectives on how the health law will hold up in the face of its current and future legislative, economic and judicial challenges.

11 Mar 2011

Two Dems sign on to bill to undo health law's independent payment Advisory Board

Two House Democrats have signed onto a Republican bill to repeal a health reform provision that the Obama administration has touted as a central tool to keep health costs under control. Rep. Shelley Berkley became a co-sponsor of legislation to repeal the Medicare payment board on Wednesday, one week after Rep. Michael Capuano.

11 Mar 2011

House lawmakers press Senate to take action on 1099 repeal

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has put the measure back on the Senate's calendar and hopes to move it forward after the chamber completes it work on the 2011 continuing resolution.

11 Mar 2011

Defunding strategy takes aim at health law's mandatory spending provisions

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing yesterday to begin the process of marking up legislation to remove certain parts of health law funding.

11 Mar 2011

Experts ponder questions regarding law's 'essential benefits' package

When it comes to health insurance, deciding what is an essential benefit — and what isn't — is a political and medical minefield, with far-reaching consequences.

11 Mar 2011

State roundup: Concerns about pay for Mass. health executives, board members

Health insurers Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan said yesterday that their board members will meet later this month to discuss whether to bow to state Attorney General Martha Coakley's wishes and stop taking five-figure annual payments.

11 Mar 2011

Dem leaders acknowledge Senate support for Berwick falls short

But the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services chief says he remains entirely focused on the job at hand.

10 Mar 2011

White House appeals Florida ruling overturning health law

The administration acted quickly in order to prevent a part of the judge's recent "clarification" that would have shut down implementation of the law for now. Meanwhile, in another health law challenge, Mass. Attorney General Martha Coakley and a number of hospital associations filed separate amicus briefs in support of the federal government.

10 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Are waivers weakening health law?; Ill. 'Dangerous Docs'; Arizona transplants

It is irresponsible for the feds to dole out hundreds of millions without the assurance of insurance, payment and system reform, as well as universal coverage. That's the problem with Republican proposals to use a "block grant" approach in giving Medicaid dollars to the states to do with as they will. The president should use his precious time to encourage the law's implementation as soon as possible in areas of the country that are already on this road -- like our own Upper Midwest -- not to coddle his political enemies.

9 Mar 2011

Keneally promises billions for hospital & healthcare upgrades

Hospital upgrades with more beds and an expansion of the nursing and medical workforce may be a reality in the near future thanks to the Keneally government’s $2.3 billion pitch. Premier Kristina Keneally pledged the total spending package of $4bn would deliver “improvements right across the health system” and give patients the care they needed, promptly. She spoke at the launch at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney’s west saying, “This is about strengthening our health system to deal with challenges of an ageing population, growing levels of chronic disease and rising health costs.”

9 Mar 2011

The American Journal of Medicine focuses on the continuing healthcare reform debate

As the debate about healthcare in the United States rages, four insightful articles in the March 2011 issue of The American Journal of Medicine strive to add reasoned arguments and empirical research findings to the dialog.

9 Mar 2011

Health Reform News and Research

GOP emphasizing need for states to lead on health reform

Waivers continue to be flashpoints in health overhaul's implementation

Public opinion turns political dynamics of health reform

Viewpoints: Sebelius, Harkin, Wyden, King, Altman, Butler weigh in on health reform law

First Edition: March 14, 2011

Viewpoints: Health law's individual mandate, fighting the deficit by pinching health care pennies

Research Roundup: Mass. medical bankruptcies; Palliative care teams work; Innovative health IT

Longer looks: Best health policy picks from thought-provoking publications

GOP budget choices: Offer politically risky cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or 'play it safe'?

Health care experts, lawmakers discuss the overhaul's future

Two Dems sign on to bill to undo health law's independent payment Advisory Board

House lawmakers press Senate to take action on 1099 repeal

Defunding strategy takes aim at health law's mandatory spending provisions

Experts ponder questions regarding law's 'essential benefits' package

State roundup: Concerns about pay for Mass. health executives, board members

Dem leaders acknowledge Senate support for Berwick falls short

White House appeals Florida ruling overturning health law

Viewpoints: Are waivers weakening health law?; Ill. 'Dangerous Docs'; Arizona transplants

Keneally promises billions for hospital & healthcare upgrades

The American Journal of Medicine focuses on the continuing healthcare reform debate

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