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Today's Opinions: Concerns about ACOs; Obama challenged on health care claims; Scare tactics

There is a very real danger that by the time policy makers get around to reading and understanding this section of law (on accountable care organizations) that the health care marketplace will have irreversibly changed (Dustin Corcoran, 9/30).

1 Oct 2010

New reports underscore a litany of health law implementation obstacles

Obstacles to the implementation of the health overhaul abound, including lawsuits, regulatory issues, concerns about patients' choice, and, of course, costs.

1 Oct 2010

Health reform law bubbling up as campaign issue

The Associated Press: Lawmakers have left Washington to campaign and focus on their messages regarding the economy and health care. "Majority Democrats facing significant losses in the wake of unpopular bills to stimulate the economy and overhaul the nation's health care laws sought to do their party no further harm on Capitol Hill" (Kellman and Abrams, 9/30).

1 Oct 2010

NHS makeover not welcomed by the BMA

The British Medical Association (BMA) has expressed doubts about the radical makeover of the NHS and how it would affect patient care. The reorganization of the NHS in England was unveiled in health secretary Andrew Lansley's white paper in July. The BMA says that the plans are potentially damaging, risk setting groups of clinicians against each other and are not a good use of public money when the NHS has to save £15 to £20 billion.

1 Oct 2010

CNN poll finds health reform advocates have work to do to convince Americans of the law's benefits

First lady Michelle Obama on Tuesday asked nurses to help spread the word of the benefits of the health law. More than 1,000 nurses joined the first lady on the call, in which she briefly outlined some of the law's protections and benefits.

30 Sep 2010

New 'innovation' chief comes from 'model' health care system

Kaiser Health News staff writers Mary Agnes Carey and Christopher Weaver report: "Dr. Richard Gilfillan, the new acting director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, has quite a juggling act to perform, says Gail Wilensky" (Carey and Weaver, 9/28).

30 Sep 2010

Senate Democrats defeat GOP effort to reopen health care debate over HHS regulation

"Senate Democrats held together and beat back an attempt from Republicans to begin a piece-by-piece repeal of the healthcare law, defeating a resolution that would roll back an HHS rule on how new regulations apply to health insurance plans that existed before the overhaul bill was signed into law," Congress Daily reported.

30 Sep 2010

Obama challenged on health care in Iowa meeting

The Washington Post: "Back in Iowa, President Obama got an earful Wednesday from voters about two of his key policies: health care, and his desire to roll back Bush-era tax cuts. ... Standing in the back yard of a resident, Obama stood patiently as one woman described, at length, her fears that the U.S. health-care system will soon resemble that of Great Britain. ... The official topic in Iowa was 'challenges currently facing the middle class,' part of a series of similar economy-driven stops" (Kornblut, 9/29).

30 Sep 2010

Health law's medical loss ratios, exchanges scrutinized

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which is working with the Department of Health and Human Services on implementing key parts of the health law, is still considering how to determine the kinds of insurers' expenses that are considered medical care.

30 Sep 2010

First Edition: September 29, 2010

In today's headlines, reports about the continuing politics surrounding the health overhaul, as both parties vie for the loyalty of older voters and First Lady Michelle Obama steps up efforts to promote the new law.

29 Sep 2010

States urged to implement ACA to end Medicaid's bias towards funding long-term care in institutional settings

In recognition of the six month anniversary of the health reform law, a new report from the National Senior Citizens Law Center, with support from The SCAN Foundation, calls on states to use the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to end Medicaid's long-standing bias toward funding long-term care in institutional settings such as nursing homes.

29 Sep 2010

Florida likely to seek waiver on medical loss ratio; Ariz. cuts back Medicaid benefits

The Hill Healthwatch: "Florida's 14-member insurance advisory board has unanimously passed a resolution to seek a waiver from the health law's medical loss ratio. An official with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation tells The Hill that the board's vote means it's a 'done deal' that the state will formally seek some kind of waiver but the board is gathering public input through Oct. 8.

29 Sep 2010

Health law includes help for young women with breast cancer

Kaiser Health News: "A little-noticed section in the health-care overhaul aims to raise awareness among young women and their doctors about the risk of breast cancer between the ages of 15 and 44. The law directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create education campaigns that will focus on breast cancer and young women, and encourage healthful habits that promote prevention and early detection of the disease.

29 Sep 2010

HHS announces grants to help seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers navigate long term care options

Modern Healthcare: As part of the new health law, HHS is distributing $68 million in grants "to help people navigate their health and long-term-care options. The grants will be going to states, territories, tribal and community-based organizations to help seniors, individuals with disabilities and caregivers make more-informed decisions about their health and long-term care.

29 Sep 2010

Study: Employees will pay more for health insurance in 2011

Companies' health costs will rise about 9 percent on average next year as a result of the aging workforce, growing medical costs and health law-related changes, and employees can expect to pick up an ever-growing share, the Los Angeles Times reports. Human resources consultant Hewitt's survey of 350 medium to large firms found companies "will spend $9,821 per employee on average for insurance next year, up from $9,028 this year — an 8.8% increase and more than double what they paid in 2001."

29 Sep 2010

Former Geisinger head to run CMS Innovation Center

CQ HealthBeat reports that Richard Gilfillan, a former head of the Geisinger Health Plan in Pennsylvania, will run the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Innovation Center that was created by the health law. Gilfillan was chosen Monday. At Geisinger, Gilfillan ran a plan that "many health policy analysts see as a national model for delivering quality, affordable care" (Reichard, 9/27).

29 Sep 2010

Women's mental health issues to be discussed at 2010 Marc- Society International Conference

Nearly 500 researchers, clinicians and mental health advocates are expected to attend the 2010 Marc- Society International Conference, Perinatal Mental Health Research: Harvesting the Potential, Oct. 26 to 30, at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh. The event, which focuses on women's mental health issues related to childbearing, will feature keynote speaker former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who has been an active advocate for mental health reform.

28 Sep 2010

Congressional races taking shape around health reform positions

Some Democrats are maintaining an independent voice on the issue of health reform. "Aware that their stock has taken the same tumble as home values, Congress' most vulnerable Democrats are declaring their independence from their party's agenda in Facebook profiles, television advertisements, news interviews and campaign websites leading up to the Nov. 2 election. That's when Republicans hope to retake control of the House they lost four years ago."

28 Sep 2010

Voters still confused about health law

As the midterm election rhetoric intensifies, so does the voter confusion about the landmark federal health law passed last March, according to the tracking poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

28 Sep 2010

Senate Republicans examining health reform's effect on Medicare advantage

A quartet of Senate Republicans is calling on Medicare's top accountant to release the numbers behind his analysis of health reform's impact on the Medicare Advantage program. The lawmakers ... say the steep cuts to MA under the new reform law will cause many plans to fold, while many others will be forced to drop benefits to remain profitable.

28 Sep 2010

Health Reform News and Research

Today's Opinions: Concerns about ACOs; Obama challenged on health care claims; Scare tactics

New reports underscore a litany of health law implementation obstacles

Health reform law bubbling up as campaign issue

NHS makeover not welcomed by the BMA

CNN poll finds health reform advocates have work to do to convince Americans of the law's benefits

New 'innovation' chief comes from 'model' health care system

Senate Democrats defeat GOP effort to reopen health care debate over HHS regulation

Obama challenged on health care in Iowa meeting

Health law's medical loss ratios, exchanges scrutinized

First Edition: September 29, 2010

States urged to implement ACA to end Medicaid's bias towards funding long-term care in institutional settings

Florida likely to seek waiver on medical loss ratio; Ariz. cuts back Medicaid benefits

Health law includes help for young women with breast cancer

HHS announces grants to help seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers navigate long term care options

Study: Employees will pay more for health insurance in 2011

Former Geisinger head to run CMS Innovation Center

Women's mental health issues to be discussed at 2010 Marc- Society International Conference

Congressional races taking shape around health reform positions

Voters still confused about health law

Senate Republicans examining health reform's effect on Medicare advantage

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

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