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Effect of abortion restrictions in health bill may be less than advocates fear

Despite widespread debate, abortion restrictions in the House health reform bill could affect only a small number of women. Meanwhile, Catholic bishops weigh into the debate and abortion rights group plan a rally to contest the restrictions.

17 Nov 2009

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

Why One Democrat Voted No On Health Bill The Philadelphia Inquirer After months of debate over reforming the health-care system, I decided to vote against the bill that the House of Representatives passed a little more than a week ago. I did not come to this decision lightly (Rep. John Adler, D-Penn., 11/17).

17 Nov 2009

Business opponents of health overhaul ramp up advertising

"Business foes of health care overhaul legislation are outspending supporters at a rate of 2-to-1 for TV ads as they grow increasingly nervous over a final bill," The Associated Press reports.

17 Nov 2009

Study finds uninsured trauma patients much more likely to die in ER

"Uninsured patients with traumatic injuries, such as car crashes, falls and gunshot wounds, were almost twice as likely to die in the hospital as similarly injured patients with health insurance, according to a troubling new study," The Associated Press reports. "The findings by Harvard University researchers surprised doctors and health experts who have believed emergency room care was equitable."

17 Nov 2009

As Senate debate approaches, partisans step up political high jinks

Volleys of rhetoric, attack advertisements and procedural parries are echoing through Congress's health care debate. Here's a look at some of the latest political jabs.

17 Nov 2009

Improved productivity and lowered absenteeism are top priorities for business leaders

Improving productivity by keeping employees healthy and working is emerging as the top business objective for employer-sponsored wellness programs around the world. The two exceptions are the United States, where reducing health care cost increases overwhelmingly continues to be the top goal, and Asia, where the most important objective is improving workforce morale.

17 Nov 2009

Economic crisis impacts health department capacity to address rising STD rates

Amid the mounting toll of budget cuts across the country, a new study from the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) shows just how much an impact the economic crisis is having on sexually transmitted disease (STD) programs and in turn, having more broadly on public health infrastructure.

17 Nov 2009

New data shows obesity costs will quadruple over the next decade

A new study released today shows that rising obesity rates will continue to be an increasing burden on the health care system over the next decade. The report, titled, "The Future Cost of Obesity: National and State Estimates of the Impact of Obesity on Direct Health Care Expenses," is the first to estimate obesity prevalence and costs at the state and national level 10 years from now.

17 Nov 2009

KHN column: Will there be a market for gov't long-term care insurance?

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, Howard Gleckman writes about long-term care: "The CLASS Act—the far-reaching proposal to create a national long-term care insurance program—is in the House health reform bill, and is still in the mix as Senate leaders struggle to design their own version of reform."

16 Nov 2009

CMS report: House bill will raise health care costs, affect seniors' benefits

A new report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finds that the health overhaul bill passed by the House will raise health costs by approximately $289 billion in the next ten years. The report was requested by House Republicans and compiled by CMS' chief actuary, Richard Foster.

16 Nov 2009

Amid health bill delays and snags, lawmakers target issues

The wait for the Congressional Budget Office score on the Senate health care reform bill has left Senators with time to carefully consider all the angles on reform, The New York Times reports. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid "has already received some substantial analysis of his measure, and if the numbers had been what he wanted, he would have released a bill by now.

16 Nov 2009

Eyes turn to Lieberman, Reid, Snowe as most crucial health reform players

Bloomberg reports that Sen. Joe Lieberman's "independence (is hindering) Democrats' health-care end game."

16 Nov 2009

Health lobbying ranges from below the radar to high profile

A Charlotte, N.C., law firm is operating a secretive group called Americans for Quality and Affordable Healthcare to attempt to shape lawmakers' and the public's opinions on health reform, the Associated Press reports.

16 Nov 2009

Insuring immigrants a sticking point between House, Senate health reform bills

The Washington Post reports that the question of how and if some immigrants will have access to care under health care reform remains one of the sticking points between the chambers as the Congressional debate unfolds.

16 Nov 2009

Both sides puzzle over abortion amendment in House health bill

Newspapers continue to report on the Stupak amendment to the House health bill and how it will affect access to abortion.

16 Nov 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Many liberals remain angry and disappointed that single-payer legislation never stood a chance in Washington. To them, a government-run health-care system seemed an obvious way to put patients ahead of profits. But a single-payer system would have put us at the mercy of whomever happened to take control of Washington (Maggie Mahar, 11/15).

16 Nov 2009

First Edition: October 16, 2009

News reports continue to focus on the landmines that exist within health reform proposals.

16 Nov 2009

AMA calls for swift passage of the H.R. 3961

Urging swift passage of a bill to repeal the broken Medicare physician payment formula that threatens seniors' access to care, the AMA added a new dimension to its Medicare campaign today with radio ads airing in markets across the nation. In addition to the ads, the AMA is activating its nationwide grassroots network of patients and physicians and intensifying communication to physicians through online and social media.

16 Nov 2009

Medicare open enrollment starts Sunday, premiums will rise 11 percent on average

U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News reports that seniors who participate in Medicare Part D's will likely notice significant changes during this year's open enrollment period, which begins Nov. 15. "Monthly premiums will rise 11 percent to $38.94, on average, according to an analysis published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. That's up 50 percent from 2006, the first year that Medicare Part D drug benefits were offered."

16 Nov 2009

CMS report on House health bill: Many more insured means more, not less, spending

The Associated Press: "Overall spending on health care would rise as a result of legislation approved a week ago by the House, and billions of dollars in projected savings contained in the measure will be difficult to maintain, according to a report by a top official at the agency that oversees Medicare.

16 Nov 2009