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GOP is preparing its strategy, version of health overhaul legislation

The Republican Party is set to reveal an alternative health care reform bill to the Democratic ones in Congress just as the House prepares to take up Democratic legislation.

2 Nov 2009

Consumer Watchdog corrects Gov. Schwarzenegger's analysis of malpractice caps and premiums

Consumer Watchdog sent the following letter to Congressional leaders today in response to a letter sent by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in which he incorrectly cited California's draconian limits on the legal rights of injured patients as a successful cost containment tool. Consumer Watchdog is a nonpartisan nonprofit with offices in California and Washington, D.C.

31 Oct 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Health Reform Will Increase Medicaid Costs The Philadelphia Inquirer The financial stakes are high for the states, nearly all of which are struggling just to discharge their current Medicaid commitments (Laura Katz Olson, 10/27).

27 Oct 2009

CMPro software for CMS reporting requirements

rL Solutions, the leading provider of healthcare quality and safety software, announced today that its claims management software, Claims MonitorPro(R) (CMPro) can assist healthcare organizations in meeting the new CMS Section 111 reporting requirements.

24 Oct 2009

Class action lawsuit by patients who received high dosage of radiation during their CT brain perfusion scans

A class action lawsuit (Case #BC4241898) was just filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against Cedars Sinai Medical Center, GE Healthcare, Inc., and GE Healthcare Technologies on behalf of patients who received 8-times the approved dosage of radiation during their CT brain perfusion scans to diagnose strokes.

21 Oct 2009

GOP message: Democratic health reforms are bad for America

Politico: "Through the summer, congressional Republicans were able to stand back and let the health care debate play out around them — watching public support for the idea plummet amid bitter town halls and Democratic infighting." And even as the chances increase that "President Barack Obama will have a chance to sign a health reform bill, Republicans say they're content to stick by that strategy — believing they can define the Democratic plan as a bad mix of higher premiums, more taxes and cuts to Medicare. And that, they believe, is a winning formula for them in 2010."

21 Oct 2009

HUFL to pay its second consecutive annual cash dividend to its policyholders/owners

In the midst of a global economic tsunami, a Florida based medical malpractice insurance company is demonstrating that conservative management, excellent sales delivery, aggressive defense of its insureds and strict underwriting can provide outstanding results even in the most difficult of times (and without government subsidies).

20 Oct 2009

Business update from Physicians Healthcare Management Group

Physicians Healthcare Management Group, Inc., a developer of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in partnership with physicians and manager of Physhield Insurance Exchange (Physhield), a licensed medical malpractice insurer, today announced that it has issued its financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The financials are being posted today on the Pink Sheets (www.pinksheets.com).

14 Oct 2009

Senate finance members weigh their health bill votes

Senators are trying to get a count ahead of the Senate Finance Committee's vote on a health reform proposal Tuesday, but several members are refusing to tip their hand. Meanwhile, in the background, House lawmakers continue their work.

12 Oct 2009

CBO: Medical malpractice reform would save $54 billion over 10 years

The Congressional Budget Office said Friday that reforming some aspects of medical malpractice law would reduce the federal deficit by $54 billion over a decade.

12 Oct 2009

U.S. Chamber urges Congress to include medical liability reform in health care legislation

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) this week launched a new national public awareness campaign calling on Congress to take notice of the majority of voters who support the inclusion of medical liability reform in health care legislation.

9 Oct 2009

New web-based tool to strengthen informed patient consent process launched

Krames, the leader in patient education, has announced the release of Krames Patient Consent, a comprehensive web-based tool designed to strengthen and streamline every aspect of the informed consent process.

8 Oct 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

It is the Republicans' right to choose this course of hard-line opposition. But, just as surely, Democrats are the majority party in Congress. And we have a responsibility to lead (Sen. Tom Harkin, 9/29).

30 Sep 2009

Doctations launches blog to improve healthcare

Doctations, Inc., an innovative leader in applying Internet technology to improve healthcare, today announced the launch of its new DocPatient blog. Weekly postings to the blog site by company executives and thought leaders will address timely healthcare related topics, express expert opinions and pose provocative questions intended to inform the community, stimulate constructive dialogue and promote healthcare improvement.

29 Sep 2009

Progress on the Baucus Bill is in the eye of the beholder

The New York Times: "Senate Democrats on Friday preserved the guts of their proposal to reinvent the health care system, but Republicans scored political points on several issues, like the effects of the bill on older Americans. The Democrats beat back Republican attacks on the legislation as the Senate Finance Committee deferred some of the most contentious issues to next week."

28 Sep 2009

States worry over Medicaid expansion; Montana expands kids coverage

State officials continue to worry about additional costs that would stem from a Medicaid expansion. Meanwhile, Montana unveils a plan to expand health insurance for children and Iowa Republicans are touting their own alternative to a federal health care overhaul.

25 Sep 2009

Trial lawyers push back on medical malpractice reform

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23 Sep 2009

First Edition: September 23, 2009

Today's headlines mark the opening day of the Senate Finance Committee's health bill mark up as well as a new round up of changes to the chairman's mark.

23 Sep 2009

Snowe: Baucus Bill is 'solid starting point' but process should slow down

"Republican Senator Olympia Snowe says the Finance Committee's health care bill is a 'solid starting point' but needs to be improved," The Associated Press reports. "The Maine senator is seen as the only Republican on the panel who could end up voting for the bill, so her comments are closely watched." In her opening statement at the Finance Committee mark-up today, "Snowe praised the bill for holding down costs and taking a stab at medical malpractice reform.

23 Sep 2009

Obama pushes new message while opposition continues

In his Sunday talk show offensive (related story: Obama Blankets Airwaves To Push For Health Reform) President Barack Obama called for civility, advertised his willingness to consider malpractice reform, said a proposed tax on health benefits would not have a large impact on working people and reiterated that illegal immigrants would not receive government coverage under the plans, the Washington Post reports.

21 Sep 2009