Health Reform News and Research

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Reform primers from both sides of the pond

The BBC offers a trans-Atlantic primer on American health reform: "Unlike other developed countries, the US does not have a universal system of healthcare coverage," the report explains. Though Obama made health reform his "top priority," members of Congress are "finding it difficult to agree on a bill."

15 Oct 2009

CalRHIO's statewide HIE system implemented in Orange County

The first site in CalRHIO's statewide health information exchange (HIE) system is live in Orange County at Coastal Communities Hospital. As a result of collaboration between CalRHIO and the local HIE effort, the Orange County Partnership Regional Health Information Organization (OCPRHIO), 23 hospital emergency departments over the next five months will have secure electronic access to critical medical information.

15 Oct 2009

Orthopedic device industry rattled by proposed tax

Kaiser Health News staff writer Julie Appleby, in partnership with USA Today, explores the impact health reform proposals could have on one part of the orthopedic device industry.

15 Oct 2009

Insurers' report backlash: Unified Dems, angry White House, dissenting experts

The insurance industry's study on the effects of health reform has incensed Democrats, given reformers a rallying point and inspired a wave of zippy one-liners in news reports.

15 Oct 2009

House bill would extend parents' coverage for young adults

In a new development in the House health bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has agreed to insert language allowing young adults to stay on their parents' insurance plan through the age of 26.

15 Oct 2009

Less expensive anti-rejection drug as effective as more expensive drug, says study

A newer, less expensive drug used to suppress the immune system and prevent organ rejection in kidney and pancreas transplant patients works just as well as its much more expensive counterpart, according to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

15 Oct 2009

Analysis: Support for health reform drops if people think it'll cost them more

"Democrats in Washington are navigating treacherous electoral terrain as they craft healthcare reform legislation, judging by new polls that show Americans pulled by conflicting desires on healthcare," according to the CSM.

15 Oct 2009

After key vote, Senate still has long way to go on health care reform

The Associated Press breaks down the different health care reform packages in Congress and takes a look at where the bills — five in all — stand after the Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday to send their bill out of committee.

15 Oct 2009

Status report on the health care reform proposals in Congress

14 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 14, 2009

Today's headlines report on the Senate Finance Committee's historic vote on health overhaul legislation with Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, at the center of the action. But with the insurance industry emerging as a clear foe, what comes next?

14 Oct 2009

K Streeters must choose sides as health debate nears showdown

Health industry lobbying groups are positioning themselves for the final battles over health reform, and that will mean formally choosing sides - for, or against - on Democrats' health-care overhaul, The Hill reports.

14 Oct 2009

Senate Finance Committee to vote today on health care reform overhaul

After months of negotiation, haggling, posturing and talking, the Senate Finance Committee votes today on a health care reform bill.

14 Oct 2009

Children's dental care gets boost in health reform plans

Kaiser Health News reporter Jessica Marcy reports on on the prospects in pending health reform proposals for improving access pediatric dental care.

14 Oct 2009

Approaching today's Finance Committee vote, predictions take the spotlight

Senate Finance Committee members Tuesday are preparing to cast their votes on health reform, with some offering predictions on the final outcome.

14 Oct 2009

States eye budget cuts and health reform

Pennsylvania's hospitals got a small piece of good news when an overdue budget came with smaller than expected cuts. But there and in other states, programs continue to find programs and budgets on the chopping block.

14 Oct 2009

Ahead of key Committee vote, Democrats attack insurers' claim that health premiums will rise

White House officials and Democratic lawmakers are fighting assertions from insurers that the Senate Finance Committee health bill would push health insurance premiums higher.

14 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 13, 2009

All eyes are watching for the outcome of today's Senate Finance Committee health bill vote. Will the measure pass? How will Sen. Olympia Snowe vote? And what about that insurance industry report?

13 Oct 2009

MMR Information Systems reports 64% increase in revenue for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009

MMR Information Systems, Inc., which through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, MyMedicalRecords, Inc. ("MMR") provides consumer-controlled Personal Health Records ("PHRs") (www.mymedicalrecords.com) and electronic safe deposit box storage solutions (www.myesafedepositbox.com), today announced that its unaudited revenue for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 reflected an increase of 64% from the comparable period in 2008.

13 Oct 2009

Data Advantage releases the Top 100 Hospital: Best in Value Hospitals list

Data Advantage, LLC announced today the Top 100 Hospital: Best in Value Hospitals™ list from the 2009-2010 Hospital Value Index™, the first and only national study on U.S. hospitals and the value of care they provide.

13 Oct 2009

Democrats and reform advocates lash back at insurers

Reactions and Democratic push back are beginning to be evident after the release Monday of an insurance industry-sponsored report (.pdf) that warns premiums could wind up costing $4,000 more by the end of decade if a proposed health overhaul is implemented, the Associated Press reports. The report isn't "worth the paper it's written on," AARP Executive Vice President John Rother said. The retiree's association has supported health reform (Alonso-Zaldivar and Werner, 10/12).

12 Oct 2009