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Democrats' challenge: Finding perfect pitch for health overhaul message

With the health law repeal front and center this week, Democrats will attempt to refine their message on the measure's merits. The battle on the House floor could be a fresh opportunity to sell the sweeping legislation. To this end, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue a report today that quantifies the number of Americans who have preexisting conditions and would benefit from the law's protections.

18 Jan 2011

Viewpoints: Next step after health law repeal effort; Refuting 'job-killing' claims; Mental health care

The continuing resolution that extended funding for the federal government until Mar. 4 gives us an opportunity to include language in the appropriations that fund the rest of this fiscal year — and must be passed to avoid a government shutdown. The language would prohibit any funds from being used to implement or enforce Obamacare (Rep. Steve King, 1/18).

18 Jan 2011

Roundup: Calif., Fla. differ on health law; Texas Gov. on Medicaid 'flexibility'; Ariz. mental health

While Republicans open debate Tuesday on repealing health reform, leaders in California are sitting down to a completely different discussion: how they can most aggressively implement the new law and remain among the Obama administration's model states on the reform — without stumbling over the significant challenges that stand in their way (Kliff, 1/18).

18 Jan 2011

GOP views repeal vote as only the first part of its health strategy

With the House preparing to vote this week on whether to repeal the health care law, the chamber's new Republican majority already confronts a far more delicate task: forging its own path to expand health coverage and curb medical costs.

18 Jan 2011

Poll shows opposition to health law softening; GOP and Dems gird for repeal vote

Ahead of a vote on repeal in the GOP-led House this week, strong opposition to the law stands at 30 percent, close to the lowest level registered in AP-GfK surveys dating to September 2009. ... The law expands coverage to more than 30 million uninsured, and would require, for the first time, that most people in the United States carry health insurance.

18 Jan 2011

Australian rural healthcare ailing with lack of funds: Report

The latest data shows that Medicare paid out at least $670 million less in rural Australia in 2006-07 for GP and other primary health services than it has done for the cities. A total of at least $2.1 billion every year is short in the public health expenditure for rural regions compared to cities. Also there is a $500 million underspend in rural areas on the PBS, and at least a $1 billion shortfall on dental and allied health.

17 Jan 2011

Federal advisers hold forum to begin determining health exchanges' 'essential benefits'

The Institute of Medicine held a forum this week in which advocates could offer input regarding what types of medical services should be included in the insurance plans that are offered on the exchanges created by the new health law.

14 Jan 2011

Poll shows public view evenly divided on health overhaul

Politico reports that nearly identical percentages of respondents say the health law is either the best or the worst thing President Barack Obama has done since taking office. Meanwhile, in a separate story, a Blue Cross Exec defends the health law's individual mandate, saying that dropping it would "create a dangerous set of conditions."

14 Jan 2011

Viewpoints: Ariz. shooting and mental health care; Republicans' reform agenda; Calif. insurance hikes

Democrats can do their part by resolving not to thwart everything that the Republican majority wants to accomplish, but rather by looking for opportunities to work with the opposing party for the good of the country. ... Republicans can reciprocate by not repeating a costly mistake that Obama made when he first took office and rushing into the health care debate when the country wanted him to focus on jobs, jobs and jobs (Ruben Navarrette Jr., 1/13).

14 Jan 2011

Roundup: Texas insurance exchange proposal; Ill. safety net hole; Iowa abortion decision

A key House GOP health policy writer has filed legislation to create a state-run health insurance exchange in Texas. A bill by Rep. John Zerwas, R-Katy, would create a Texas Health Insurance Connector, or simplified insurance market.

14 Jan 2011

First Edition: January 14, 2011

Today's headlines include reports that House GOP leaders are poised to return to work on repealing the health law. A vote has been scheduled for next week.

14 Jan 2011

GOP leaders reformulate strategies to undo health law

In the wake of last weekend's shootings in Arizona, GOP House leaders are contemplating ways to proceed with their planned health law repeal vote. Meanwhile, even as the debate continues — perhaps with more civility — The Washington Post offers a fact-check of one of the key points in play.

14 Jan 2011

Exploring the health overhaul's business opportunities

News outlets report on efforts to capitalize on health reform's new business opportunities.

14 Jan 2011

Roundup: Calif. revisits single payer; Kan. and Maine join lawsuit; Texas young adults' insurance challenge

Republican attorneys general in Kansas and Maine say they will join more than 20 other states in a lawsuit challenging the federal health care law. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt sent a letter to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday formally asking that Kansas join the multistate lawsuit pending in federal district court in Florida.

14 Jan 2011

First Edition: January 13, 2011

Today's headlines feature reports about how House GOP leaders -- in the aftermath of last weekend's Tucson, Ariz., tradgedy -- are wrestling with how best to retool their health repeal effort and bring the measure forward for a vote.

13 Jan 2011

New study finds safety net holding together -- but future challenges are likely

A Kaiser Family Foundation study offers a detailed take on how states managed to maintain their health programs in face of the additional burdens brought by the recession (Kaiser Health News is a program of the Foundation).

13 Jan 2011

Viewpoints: Insurance rate increases; High risk pools; Mental health funding

In another sign of dysfunction in the U.S. healthcare system, Blue Shield of California has levied three rate increases in rapid succession that could raise some premiums as much as 59%. New state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has said he plans to scrutinize the increases, and that's a good thing, given that Anthem Blue Cross sought a huge increase in premiums last year based on faulty math. But Blue Shield's request also highlights why the country should stay the course on healthcare reform (1/12).

13 Jan 2011

Chamber of Commerce signals a 'low-key' strategy in support of repeal

In addition to the Chamber's approach, news outlets detailed the National Taxpayers' Union plans once the repeal vote is over to focus on certain tax provisions in the new law that the Obama administration may be willing to address. Also, experts on Minnesota Public Radio discuss the political positioning and implementation action at the state level.

13 Jan 2011

First Edition: January 12, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about how the congressional health debate might proceed in the wake of last weekend's violence and more details on New York's Medicaid challenges.

12 Jan 2011

With repeal still on the table, health debate detente expected to be temporary

Although GOP interest in turning back the health law remains strong, lawmakers' face the challenge of tempering some of their rhetoric in the wake of the Tucson shootings. Meanwhile, people on both sides of the aisle say this "timeout" is likely to be only temporary.

12 Jan 2011

Health Reform News and Research

Democrats' challenge: Finding perfect pitch for health overhaul message

Viewpoints: Next step after health law repeal effort; Refuting 'job-killing' claims; Mental health care

Roundup: Calif., Fla. differ on health law; Texas Gov. on Medicaid 'flexibility'; Ariz. mental health

GOP views repeal vote as only the first part of its health strategy

Poll shows opposition to health law softening; GOP and Dems gird for repeal vote

Australian rural healthcare ailing with lack of funds: Report

Federal advisers hold forum to begin determining health exchanges' 'essential benefits'

Poll shows public view evenly divided on health overhaul

Viewpoints: Ariz. shooting and mental health care; Republicans' reform agenda; Calif. insurance hikes

Roundup: Texas insurance exchange proposal; Ill. safety net hole; Iowa abortion decision

First Edition: January 14, 2011

GOP leaders reformulate strategies to undo health law

Exploring the health overhaul's business opportunities

Roundup: Calif. revisits single payer; Kan. and Maine join lawsuit; Texas young adults' insurance challenge

First Edition: January 13, 2011

New study finds safety net holding together -- but future challenges are likely

Viewpoints: Insurance rate increases; High risk pools; Mental health funding

Chamber of Commerce signals a 'low-key' strategy in support of repeal

First Edition: January 12, 2011

With repeal still on the table, health debate detente expected to be temporary

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