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Gang of Six focus on thorny issues involved in health reform

After a Friday morning meeting, the Senate Finance Committee "Gang of Six" postponed "extensive discussion of the illegal immigration issue until Monday and said aides would be working on language on that and abortion over the weekend," the Associated Press reports.

14 Sep 2009

Continuing his health overhaul campaign, Obama emphasizes risk of losing insurance

Politico: "....(the) analysis of data from the University of Michigan shows many Americans will be without health insurance at periods of their life ... In his weekly radio and internet address, Obama cites the study to say, 'half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage at some point over the next ten years.'"

14 Sep 2009

Speech unifies Democrats, for now, could set stage to bypass opponents

The day after President Obama's speech Wednesday, Democrats rallied behind his plan, including several key conservative members of the party, the Los Angeles Times reports. "'If the details live up to the quality of the speech, then it's a good plan,' said Tennessee Rep. Jim Cooper, a conservative Democrat who has been critical of the healthcare bill developed by House leaders." Other Democrats praised the speech for its endorsement of the proposed public insurance plan (Levey, 9/11).

11 Sep 2009

Post-speech debates: Illegal immigrant coverage, tort reform, abortion funding

President Obama's speech opened the door for experts and lawmakers to examine his proposed health reforms, with questions ranging from how reforms affect illegal immigrants' coverage to abortion funding.

11 Sep 2009

Experts, lawmakers wonder if Obama can pay for his health reform push

President Obama and Democrats are scrambling to find a way to pay for the specifics that he laid out in his speech Wednesday night, and they are pushing for a trigger that would rein in spending if cost containment for health care reform isn't met.

11 Sep 2009

Young 'invincible' adults quiet on health reform, seniors remain confused

Invincibles, the "strong and healthy young adults who have no experience with wallet-crippling illness and feel they have no need for coverage," may be "the most likely to be affected by the reform effort" outlined by President Barack Obama on Wednesday, The Baltimore Sun reports. "Adults ages 18 to 34 comprise more than half of the nation's uninsured.

11 Sep 2009

Today's editorials and opinions

The Dime Standard The New York Times Barack Obama delivered the finest speech of his presidency. … Which is not to say that this is effective health reform (David Brooks, 9/10).

11 Sep 2009

Health policy research roundup

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: A Snapshot of U.S. Physicians: Key Findings from the 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey - This brief reviews findings from the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey, a national survey including the responses of more than 4,700 U.S. physicians who provide "at least 20 hours per week of direct patient care."

11 Sep 2009

First Edition: September 11, 2009

Today's headlines are full of second-day stories about the policies and politics involved in President Obama's Wednesday night address to Congress.

11 Sep 2009

PCMA stresses on improving affordability in the health care system

“Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) share the President’s goal of improving affordability as a central tenant to reforming the health care system. Tools pioneered by PBMs – including those which increase the use of generic medicines – have accomplished this goal by lowering costs and expanding access to prescription drugs for consumers and payers.

11 Sep 2009

HHS Secretary to issue new report on the employer-sponsored insurance market

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today will address the University of Chicago’s dialogue on health care reform and education and issue a new report on the employer-sponsored insurance market.

11 Sep 2009

Careless practices takes a heavy toll on American lives, says President of SAVE THE PATIENT

Is anyone listening? As this debate rages on about medical reform, patient safety organizations, those of us at the front each and every day, we do not hear about what is happening to the people from the senseless health care devastation throughout our country right now.

11 Sep 2009

Long-term care insurance bill finds support from industry leader

Today Jonas Roeser, a long-term care industry leader, declared his support for H.R. 1891, a House bill to make long-term care insurance more affordable through a 50% tax deduction. Roeser is Senior Vice President of Marketing and Operations for LTC Financial Partners LLC (LTCFP) -- http://www.ltcfp.com -- one of the nation's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance agencies.

11 Sep 2009

ECFC against Congress proposal for caps on flexible spending account contributions

Amidst the sound and fury of concern over various aspects of President Obama's health care reform proposal, observers too often lose sight of the core fundamental principles on which the President is correct, according to the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation.

11 Sep 2009

APHA calls for comprehensive health care reform affordable to all Americans

"According to new Census Bureau data released today, there are now more than 46 million Americans who do not have health coverage. And alarmingly, things are only getting worse.

11 Sep 2009

PhRMA concurs with Obama's health care reform

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) President & CEO Billy Tauzin issued the following statement after President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress on health care reform:

11 Sep 2009

46.3 million Americans uninsured reveals statistics

Physicians see firsthand the negative effects of living without health coverage. Many times uninsured patients delay getting care, often until it's too late. Our nation's 46.3 million uninsured patients live sicker and die younger. As Congress gets back to work, the plight of the growing number of uninsured should be front and center in the health reform debate.

11 Sep 2009

NCOA supports Obama for improving Medicare’s delivery system

NCOA applauds President Obama's call for universal health care. Older Americans with Medicare know first-hand the benefits of universal coverage -- and they should be in the forefront of efforts to secure the same rights for their children and grandchildren.

11 Sep 2009

Today's editorials and opinions

At Last, Firing Back On Health Reform The Washington Post [T]he most striking aspect of the address may have been its call to battle: The days of taking incoming fire without any return volleys are over (E.J. Dionne, Jr., 9/10).

10 Sep 2009

Comparative effectiveness may not produce hoped-for savings, Study finds

One component of Democrats' health reform plan, comparative effectiveness research, would seek to improve quality and lower medical costs by identifying the most clinically and cost-effective treatments available, but a new study by the Rand Corp. finds the impact of the research may be slow to arrive, BusinessWeek reports.

10 Sep 2009