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States will implement many health reform initiatives

"The debate over whether to let states opt out of any government-run health insurance plan overlooks a key facet of the health-care measures being assembled in Congress: When Washington is done, the shape of any new health-care system is likely to be finalized in Lansing and Boise and Baton Rouge," The Washington Post reports.

2 Nov 2009

First Edition: November 2, 2009

Today's headlines feature insights into President Obama's behind-the-scenes role in advancing the Democrats' health overhaul efforts in Congress, plus more analysis of the public insurance option.

2 Nov 2009

Former Connecticut Governor delivers address on health reform before Muslim Coalition of Connecticut

Lowell Weicker, Jr., former three-term U.S. Senator and Governor of Connecticut and President of the Board of the Trust for America's Health (TFAH), delivered an address on health reform before The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut. The following are excerpts from the speech:

2 Nov 2009

GOP slams House health bill, Dems face hurdles before floor votes

The political parties lined up for a weekend of political rhetoric, with Republicans slamming the House health reform bill as Democrats get ready to move the bills to the floor in the House and the Senate.

1 Nov 2009

Many details still bedevil Democrats in health reform bills

It was the usual partisan squabbling on the Sunday talk shows today, while Democrats are braced for a significant week ahead, ironing out significant differences in various health reform bills.

1 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

Dr. Benjamin's confirmation as Surgeon General lauded by National Alliance For Hispanic Health

"The Senate has done the right thing for the nation's health in confirming Dr. Regina Benjamin as our nation's 18th U.S. Surgeon General," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group. "As a woman in the field of health I am proud that she will become the third woman to serve as Surgeon General of the United States. She is a true inspiration to girls considering health and science careers."

31 Oct 2009

NCOA supports CLASS Act health reform proposal

At a briefing by the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations today in Washington, DC, James Firman, President of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), applauded the House for making the CLASS Act (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports) part of its Affordable Health Care for America Act and urged the Senate to include the CLASS Act and other important long-term care provisions in its final package as well.

31 Oct 2009

Initial review of the House bill reveals three key components critical to people living with mental illness

On Thursday this week, House Democratic leaders presented a new health care overhaul bill that melds legislation passed by three committees over the summer and makes a series of changes to accommodate lawmakers' concerns.

31 Oct 2009

USCCB calls Catholics to prevent health care reform from being derailed by abortion lobby

In an extraordinary call to Catholics to prevent health care reform from being derailed by the abortion lobby, the United Sates Conference of Catholic Bishops has sent bulletin inserts to almost 19,000 parishes across the country.

31 Oct 2009

Illinois aims to protect consumers in the private health insurance market

While the U.S. Congress is still working to strike a comprehensive health reform package, Illinois is leading the way for the rest of the nation with legislation aimed at helping consumers who are forced to go the private insurance market to get the care they need.

31 Oct 2009

Senators jostle for position on health reform provisions

CongressDaily reports that the "only public insurance option proposal Senate Majority Leader (Harry) Reid included in his healthcare overhaul bill this week appears simply to be a starting point that will be sliced and diced before reform is said and done."

30 Oct 2009

Obama woos small business to support health reform

Obama told small business owners Thursday that Democrats' health reform plans would mean million of their peers would get new tax credits to help pay for insurance and that the smallest firms could save around 25 percent on insurance costs through new exchanges, BusinessWeek reports. In addition to the president's speech to business people in Washington, the White House published a report pitching those and other benefits. It places the number of businesses in line for tax credits at 3.6 million (Tozzi, 10/29).

30 Oct 2009

House Democrats hail, grumble about health reform bill

News outlets detailed the House health care reform bill and reaction from members. The Congressional Budget Office estimated its net cost to be $894 billion over 10 years.

30 Oct 2009

A selection of recent studies and surveys

Health Affairs: Uninsured Adults With Chronic Conditions Or Disabilities: Gaps In Public Insurance Programs - This study examines patterns of uninsurance for low-income working-age adults with chronic health conditions or disabilities, as documented in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS).

30 Oct 2009

Senators who support the public option hope resistant moderates will 'come around'

"Democratic Senators in favor of including a public insurance option in health care reform expect resistant moderates … to come around once they see the details of the final legislation," Roll Call reports. Centrists such as Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., have suggested that they may not support reform with a public option. "Senate Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.) said Wednesday that moderates are likely to climb on board once they read the final bill" (Drucker, 10/28).

29 Oct 2009