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Targeting companies that cut health care costs

Reuters reports that the health care sector will be "a focal point" for years to come and looks at investments in companies that are likely to make money by helping to reduce costs. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News examines whether competitive health care models like Medicare Part D and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program are taming costs as effectively as supporters suggest.

21 Sep 2012

Health law, Medicare both hot issues in House and Senate races

News outlets examine how health issues are playing out in a House race in Pennsylvania and a Senate race in Massachusetts.

21 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: AARP's agenda on health law; Cuccinelli 'demeaning' Va. AG's office; Government's health care role

President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak Friday via satellite to a convention sponsored by AARP. ... here are five facts you're unlikely to hear from the president, or AARP, about how each treats seniors: First, while AARP poses as a disinterested senior advocate, it functions as an insurance conglomerate, with a liberal lobbying arm on the side. AARP depends on profits, royalties and commissions to make up more than 50 percent of its annual revenues.

21 Sep 2012

Political cartoon: 'Auction Block?'

Kaiser Health News provides a fresh take on health policy developments with "Auction Block?" by Jeff Danziger.

21 Sep 2012

USA Today/Gallup Poll shows Obama more trusted on Medicare

Other polls indicate President Barack Obama is faring well in some swing states. GOP nominee Mitt Romney's campaign hopes to shift the focus to federal spending and Medicare issues as Obama and GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan speak today to the AARP.

21 Sep 2012

Administration: Health law led Medicare beneficiaries to save $4.5 billion on prescriptions

USA Today reports the Obama administration is annoucing that, because of provisions in the health law Medicare's prescription drug doughnut hole, Medicare beneficiaries experienced considerable savings.

21 Sep 2012

First Edition: September 21, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about recent polling results indicating that, despite GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's efforts to frame the Medicare debate, President Barack Obama still has the advantage on this issue.

21 Sep 2012

Romney touts his health care credentials

During a forum hosted by Univision, the GOP presidential nominee embraced his role as the "grandfather of Obamacare." Elsewhere on the camapign trail, the Service Employees International Union launches a Medicare attack ad against the Romney-Ryan campaign and other Republicans.

21 Sep 2012

Presidential campaigns vie for specific voting blocs

The New York Times reports that young adults are up for grabs in several key states. Meanwhile, both candidates are courting Hispanics. The Washington Post reports that President Barack Obama is hoping women voters give him the edge in Virginia.

21 Sep 2012

CMS eyes improper Medicare payments for power wheelchairs

A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official testified on Capitol Hill Wednesday that 80 percent of this type of fee-for-service Medicare claim should not have been paid.

21 Sep 2012

Administration touts thriving Medicare Advantage under health law

Enrollment in the private plans is projected to increase 11 percent next year, while premiums hold steady, officials say, disproving predictions made by critics of the health care law.

21 Sep 2012

First Edition: September 20, 2012

Today's headlines include reports that the health law's penalty for not obtaining health insurance could hit as many as 6 million people.

21 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: Romney's comments point to entitlements' role as big part of 'budget paralysis;' Kristof says candidate inflated 'underlying truth'

Stigmatizing almost everyone with a federal benefit is not just bad politics. It's the worst sort of social stereotyping. But beyond (GOP presidential candidate Mitt) Romney's bluster lies a genuine problem.

21 Sep 2012

Polls offer windows into campaign challenges, dynamics

A new round of polls indicates that, with seven weeks left of campaigning, President Barack Obama appears to be edging out GOP candidate Mitt Romney. However, the findings also highlight the political forces that could work for and against each candidate.

20 Sep 2012

Are electronic medical records leading to higher medical bills?

Electronic medical records, long touted by government officials as a critical tool for cutting health care costs, appear to be prompting some doctors and hospitals to bill higher fees to Medicare for treating seniors.

20 Sep 2012

Wis. officials say Medicaid funding will need to rise $650M over two years

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services in a request to Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday that the increase was needed because of rising health care costs, higher program enrollment and lower federal funding.

20 Sep 2012

Romney's '47 percent' comments fuel analyses of who gets tax breaks, aid

Some news outlets report how the remarks underscore different views of the role of government by President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, Romney attempts to deflect criticism by going on the offensive, saying his comments help define the choice before voters.

20 Sep 2012

Hip implants are more likely to fail in obese people due to thigh size

University of Iowa researchers have determined that thigh size in obese people is a reason their hip implants are more likely to fail.

20 Sep 2012

Roundup: Ore. insurance CO-OP readies coverage; N.J. Medicaid liabilities hurt state's fiscal outlook; Wis. AG appeals collective bargaining ruling

Independent workers -- artists, journalists, information technology professionals, craftsmen and even those who earn their living buying and selling on eBay -- will soon have the ability to buy health coverage without having to dicker with a privately-run insurance company such as Regence BlueCross BlueShield. ... people can sign up when enrollment opens for the health insurance exchange in October 2013.

20 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: Romney says citizens 'do need help from government;' One Retiree suggests sacrifices on Medicare, entitlements would be used to prop up rich

Government benefits are heavily skewed towards seniors, nearly all of whom paid Social Security and Medicare taxes for decades to earn them. Judging by the polls, both they and low-income workers are likely to give Romney respectable levels of support in November, unless they feel he is insulting them or cannot relate to their situation.

20 Sep 2012