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Health reform opponents mobilize against individual mandate

Some opponents of the congressional health bills "think their last, best hope to halt the legislation lies not in the U.S. Capitol but in the court across the street," The Washington Post reports.

5 Jan 2010

Congressional negotiators returning to start conference talks on health reform bill

Democratic lawmakers will begin this week to try to hammer out a compromise between the House and Senate versions of a health care reform bill as they keep an eye on votes for the measures.

4 Jan 2010

eHealthInsurance releases updated list of FAQs in response to recent extension of COBRA subsidy

eHealthInsurance.com the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families, and small businesses, today released an updated list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) in response to the recent extension of the federal COBRA subsidy, along with some additional resources and tools.

31 Dec 2009

BPC supports passage of health care bill

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle and Bob Dole, members of the Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) Advisory Board and Leaders' Project on the State of American Health Care, commend their former Senate colleagues for passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 today.

28 Dec 2009

CAPG lauds passage of federal health care reform legislation

“This is the most sweeping health reform legislation since the enactment of Medicare. It will provide an extraordinary opportunity to make a very real difference in the lives of millions of people. This comprehensive bill package addresses major areas in need of change, including expanding coverage to nearly all Americans, eliminating various unfair insurance practices, and beginning to transform our dysfunctional delivery system.”

28 Dec 2009

DNC Chairman's statement on health care reform legislation

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, landmark health care reform legislation. Democrats passed the bill on Christmas Eve, after overcoming a series of procedural hurdles and delay tactics by Republicans that were designed to stop the bill from ever reaching the Senate floor for a vote on final passage.

28 Dec 2009

APA commends the U.S. Senate for its historic passage of legislation

The American Psychological Association commends the U.S. Senate for its historic passage of legislation that holds the promise of more comprehensive coverage for Americans with health insurance and provides new options for those without.

28 Dec 2009

APHA supports passing of healthcare reform legislation

"Thanks to today's Senate vote, we are one step closer to bringing much needed reform to our nation's health system," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of the American Public Health Association.

28 Dec 2009

Medicare reimbursement for DXA tests restored

Passage of health care reform legislation today in the U.S. Senate will help provide older Americans with easier access to quality osteoporosis diagnosis, prevention and treatment services. Included in the Senate health reform bill is a provision restoring Medicare reimbursement for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the leading diagnostic tool for the early detection and management of osteoporosis.

27 Dec 2009

AARP commends passing of health care reform; looks forward to improve legislation in conference committee

AARP CEO A. Barry Rand released this statement after this morning's passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The vote allows members of the House of Representatives and Senate to begin merging their respective bills and enact health reform legislation early in the New Year.

27 Dec 2009

Sen. Byrd casts vote for 'my friend' Ted Kennedy

In the Senate vote on health care Thursday, long-serving Democrat, Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., cast his "aye" vote "for my friend Ted Kennedy," the late senator from Massachusetts, according to The New York Times (Pear, 12/24).

27 Dec 2009

Children's Health Fund lauds Reid over release of the final Senate health care legislation

Irwin Redlener, MD, President and Co-founder of the Children's Health Fund, a national organization that advocates for and develops primary care programs for disadvantaged and medically underserved children, today released the following statement on release of the final Senate health care legislation by Majority Leader Harry Reid: "First and foremost, we applaud the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on producing this historic health reform bill which will provide millions of currently uninsured children access to comprehensive health insurance coverage.

24 Dec 2009

American Diabetes Association lauds passage of health reform in the Senate

The American Diabetes Association issues the following statement about the passing of HR 3590 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

24 Dec 2009

NMFF's Illinois Health Facility Authority revenue bonds upgraded to 'A+'

Fitch Ratings takes the following rating action on Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation, IL as part of its continuous surveillance effort: --Approximately $75 million Illinois Health Facility Authority revenue bonds, series 1998, upgraded to 'A+' from 'A'.

24 Dec 2009

HealthEast and Controlled Affiliates' hospital facility revenue bonds affirmed 'BBB-'

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the unenhanced 'BBB-' long-term rating on HealthEast and Controlled Affiliates' hospital facility revenue bonds as part of its continuous surveillance effort.

24 Dec 2009

Major hospitals adopt MedeAnalytics' PAI solution to improve patient experience

MedeAnalytics, a leading provider of healthcare performance management solutions, announced today that adoption of the company’s Patient Access Intelligence (PAI) solution by hospitals around the country has been robust since its introduction earlier this year and continues to grow, according to Mike Gallagher, chief executive officer of MedeAnalytics. Orlando Health, Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers in New York, University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare have adopted PAI, officially launched in 2009 at HFMA’s Fall Revenue Cycle Strategies Conference in Chicago.

24 Dec 2009

National Council on Aging favors Senate health reform bill

The National Council on Aging supports the Senate for its Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), which, when passed, will bring America one giant step closer to the long-awaited goal of health care that is both accessible and affordable for Americans of all ages.

24 Dec 2009

Schumer's hunting trip with Nelson; Reid gets a hero's welcome

Politico reports on a hunting trip that Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., took in Nebraska about six weeks ago. Schumer "bagged three pheasants. And six weeks later, he bagged Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), serving as key negotiator as Nelson held the fate of landmark health care legislation in the balance.

24 Dec 2009

Opinions: Doctors in developing nations; foreign aid

In a New York Times opinion piece that focuses on health reform in the U.S., Shannon Brownlee, a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation and David Goodman, a professor at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, discuss an amendment that teaching hospitals in the U.S. hope will make it into final health care legislation. The amendement would add 15,000 residency slots to the 100,000 residencies supported by the federal government.

24 Dec 2009

Lawmakers brace for conference as House Liberals vow not to give in on key issues

The Los Angeles Times reports that Democrats are looking ahead — and at each other — before beginning the "potentially difficult" process of reconciling the Senate and House versions of health care reform.

23 Dec 2009