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Baucus: Committee will move ahead with bill regardless of Republican support

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., "said Wednesday that he will push ahead with a comprehensive health care reform bill with — or without — Republican support and start a committee markup the week of Sept. 21," Politico reports.

10 Sep 2009

Contradictions between personal and systemic health issues could thwart reform

Health care reform efforts must confront a paradox, the Los Angeles Times reports: "Millions of Americans say the system they depend on for everything from routine flu shots to life-saving heart surgery is broken and needs fixing.

9 Sep 2009

Baucus aims for health agreement in advance of Obama speech tonight

Democrats are promising to send President Obama a health reform plan this year as Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus continues to try to get key Republicans on board with a new proposal.

9 Sep 2009

News organizations offer last minute decoders for health debate

Media organizations have presented a variety of health care decoders today, in anticipation of President Obama's speech tonight. Timelines, glossaries and a list of interest groups' ambitions seek to put the debate in context.

9 Sep 2009

Consumer Watchdog highlights the flaws in the proposed Senate Finance Committee health reforms

The consumer group that pioneered the most successful insurance premium regulation law in the nation, which has saved California drivers $62 billion on auto insurance rates since 1988, released a report today outlining the deep flaws in the proposed Senate Finance Committee health reforms.

9 Sep 2009

Baucus sends $900 billion health care proposal to 'gang of six'

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has sent his "gang of six" colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee a health overhaul proposal that would cost under $900 billion.

9 Sep 2009

Obama hopes to reconquer high-stakes health debate

President Obama is hoping to give a boost to congressional Democrats who are reconvening after a recess beleaguered by harsh criticism, plummeting public opinion, and divisions within the majority party.

9 Sep 2009

Baucus plan details released; Grassley says Bipartisan bill 'up in the air'

According to CQ Politics, Chairman Max Baucus' is circulated a proposal to the Finance Committee Gang Of Six over the weekend that would "establish a system of consumer-owned insurance cooperatives in lieu of a ... 'public plan' and would expand Medicaid to millions more Americans."

9 Sep 2009

FDA approves Cochlear's Nucleus 5 System

Cochlear, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Nucleus((R) )5 System for adults and children with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

9 Sep 2009

House Democrats split on health reform options

Conservatives are still leery of supporting a government-funded, or public, insurance option. Freshman lawmakers from suburban districts remain fearful of increasing taxes for their wealthy constituents to pay for the new measure and await alternatives from moderate Senate Democrats.

9 Sep 2009

Health care reform without curbing medical costs will make Americans suffer: Concord Coalition Leaders

Concord Coalition Co-Chairs Warren B. Rudman and Bob Kerrey today called on President Obama to push for concrete measures, including a federal health care budget, to curb runaway medical costs.

9 Sep 2009

African health ministers adopt resolutions to improve health as WHO regional meeting closes

At the conclusion of the 59th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, African health ministers agreed on four resolutions that aim to improve health on the continent, the Guardian reports.

8 Sep 2009

New book on weight loss and fitness released

Modern American society is filled with easily accessible fatty foods, a growing obesity epidemic and a general lack of healthy living. In his new book, "Lose Weight, Feel Great: How I Lost Over 60lbs. with the Help of a Personal Trainer" (published by AuthorHouse), author Kevin Given tells of his personal struggles with obesity, how he lost over 60 pounds with the help of a personal trainer, and how others can change their lifestyles and bodies as well.

8 Sep 2009

First Edition: September 8, 2009

It's going to be a big week as Congress returns to work and President Obama readies his speech to a joint session. High on everyone's list: health reform.

8 Sep 2009

Baucus: 'Committed to getting health care reform done' soon

The Associated Press reports that Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said "I am committed to getting health care reform done — done soon and done right," in a written statement. The AP adds "He is considering making a formal proposal soon to the small group of Senate negotiators who call themselves the 'Bipartisan Six.'

7 Sep 2009

Obama 'ready to draw line in the sand' on health reform

"White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says President Barack Obama is considering his own health care legislation to cut through the stalemate on Capitol Hill. Gibbs says Americans will know exactly where the president stands after his speech to Congress on Wednesday night. He says Obama is ready to 'draw some lines in the sand.'" Gibbs appeared on ABC's "This Week" (9/6).

7 Sep 2009

Obama to offer details, strive for consensus in upcoming speech

"With President Obama poised to give a health-care address Wednesday before a joint session of Congress, administration officials promised that he will deliver a detailed prescription for reform despite the risks of spelling out exactly where he stands," the Washington Post reports.

5 Sep 2009

Morning Edition: September 4, 2009

Today's headlines illustrate the following point: Everyone should enjoy the long weekend ahead, because next week Congress comes back to Washington and President Obama delivers his big health care speech -- in other words, the health policy world will be very busy.

4 Sep 2009

White House 'rallies the faithful' for health overhaul push

The White House is going beyond the Wednesday speech to take control of the health reform debate, including a road trip to urge passage of legislation.

4 Sep 2009

New web resource launched for AAC community supporters

Prentke Romich Company (PRC), the leading manufacturer of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) devices for individuals with speech disabilities, today announced the launch of AAC Language Lab, a comprehensive new web resource for speech professionals, teachers, and parents who support the AAC community.

4 Sep 2009