Health Reform News and Research

RSS

Health on The Hill: March 15, 2010

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey talks with KFF's Jackie Judd and Edward Epstein from Congressional Quarterly about the weekend's health reform action on Capitol Hill.

15 Mar 2010

Today's Opinions and Editorials

After a year of national debate, a handful of House Democrats who oppose abortion may be the ones to decide whether health care reform goes forward or not. ... We are puzzled and dismayed that these legislators are willing to waste that opportunity because they say the onerous anti-abortion provisions in the Senate's bill are still not onerous enough (3/14).

15 Mar 2010

First Edition: March 15, 2010

Today's headlines drive home one key point -- for the Democrats' health bill, it's all about gathering the votes.

15 Mar 2010

Blog watch: What do the polls say?

Kaiser Health News' Kate Steadman surveys the blogosphere to see how recent polls on health reform are playing. Her finding: "There's little consensus among bloggers about trends in public opinion toward the health care overhaul bills" (Steadman, 3/11).

15 Mar 2010

Montana Gov. seeks to buy state's prescription drugs from Canada; Settlement reached for ground zero workers

"Gov. Brian Schweitzer [D-Mont.] said Thursday that he is seeking federal permission to import cheaper drugs from Canada for use in state insurance programs," The Associated Press/The New York Times reports

15 Mar 2010

GOP plots political strategy to foil Democrats on heath overhaul

The Wall Street Journal reports on a Republican strategies for influencing Democratic health reform votes. "Republicans ... are ramping up their warnings to Democratic lawmakers themselves, saying a 'yes' vote puts their political careers at risk.

15 Mar 2010

Research roundup: Evaluating health bills, attitudes about uninsured, improving emergency rooms

The Cost Of Uncompensated Care With And Without Health Reform - This report analyzes various health bills. "The cost of uncompensated care will fall from $62.1 billion in 2009 to $46.6 billion in 2019 under the Senate bill, and to $36.5 billion in 2019 with the House bill. Without reform, the cost of uncompensated care will increase to between $107 and $141 billion in 2019, depending on growth in the economy and health care costs.

15 Mar 2010

Health bill update: Pelosi counting votes, Scott Brown lambastes Dems

News outlets reported that Democrats seeking to pass a health bill next week got a boost from a Cabinet official, a key senator and the Catholic Health Association, while newly-elected Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., attacked the Democrats' plans.

15 Mar 2010

A selection of today's opinions and editorials

Health reform is back from the dead. ... But reform still has to run a gantlet of misinformation and outright lies. So let me address three big myths about the proposed reform, myths that are believed by many people who consider themselves well-informed, but who have actually fallen for deceptive spin (Paul Krugman, 3/11).

12 Mar 2010

Democrats look for consensus on final health overhaul package

Democrats Thursday looked for a way forward on a health reform bill as colleagues in the House worried about abortion, other provisions and Senate passage of a reconciliation measure.

12 Mar 2010

Christian groups combat high health premiums by paying each other's bills

Some evangelical Christian groups in America are driving down health care costs in their own way, by helping each other pay medical bills instead of paying premiums.

12 Mar 2010

First Editon: March 12, 2010

Today's headlines focus on Democratic leaders' ongoing efforts to reach health care consensus and push a bill forward. Meanwhile, the GOP is ready to use the majority party's overhaul vote as a political tool in upcoming elections.

12 Mar 2010

Leaders of LUH urge Congress not to overlook healthcare issues of Latinos in final healthcare reform legislation

Leaders of Latinos United for Healthcare, including Hispanic Federation, LULAC, NPRC, USHCC, National Hispanic Medical Association and Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, have sent a letter to Capitol Hill calling upon Congress to focus their attention and efforts on ensuring that the healthcare issues of Latinos are not overlooked in the final healthcare reform legislation.

12 Mar 2010

Democrats close to health bill deal as some Democrats - and all Republicans - hold out

Congressional Democrats, reportedly closing in on a final health reform agreement, are seeking to alleviate concerns of reluctant members.

12 Mar 2010

Congress, Obama continue health reform push

"Health care reform takes center stage Thursday as President Obama and top congressional Democrats work behind closed doors to nail down a final agreement," CNN reports. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., hosted a "meeting of the entire House Democratic caucus in the morning," while Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid plans to hold a news conference that will "build public momentum by framing the issue in more personal terms."

12 Mar 2010

Obama makes impassioned argument for health reform, tough measures to combat health fraud

A shirt-sleeved President Barack Obama took his closing arguments for health care reform to the St. Louis area Wednesday.

12 Mar 2010

Today's OpEds: Rove on reconciliation, an imagined plea from Kennedy, vulnerable Hispanics

The Trouble With 'Reconciliation' The Wall Street Journal House Democrats would be foolish to trust a process that has deeply alienated the American public. Republicans know that and are determined to make House Democrats think hard about the price they will pay for passing this health-care monstrosity (Karl Rove, 3/11).

12 Mar 2010

First Edition: March 11, 2010

Today's headlines offer details of President Obama's continued full-court press on health reform with an appearance in Missouri. Meanwhile, work to move the bill toward a vote continues on Capitol Hill.

11 Mar 2010

Save Flexible Spending Plans, WageWorks issue statement on FSA restrictions

President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress are currently planning to require restrictions on the use of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) – most significantly in the form of a $2,500 cap on FSA contributions and new limits on the use of the benefit to cover the cost of over-the-counter medications – to take effect next year.

11 Mar 2010

Obama makers final public push for health reform as Democrats consider timeline

President Obama is delivering his "closing argument" for health care reform in St. Louis today as Democratic leaders strategize on moving the bill through the House and Senate.

11 Mar 2010