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New poverty figures show large increase in number of poor older Americans nationwide

New poverty figures released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau show a large increase in the number of poor Americans nationwide, specifically older adults.

10 Nov 2011

HFHP now able to offer two stand-alone prescription drug plans statewide

It began in 1996 as a local, community-based alternative to out-of-state insurance mega-giants, but now it is venturing out beyond the Space Coast for the first time. In what has become a real Space Coast business success story, Health First Health Plans (HFHP), which prides itself on its reputation for being community oriented and 100% dedicated to serving the specific needs of Floridians, is now able to offer two stand-alone prescription drug (PDP) plans from the Panhandle to the Keys.

10 Nov 2011

WebMD Magazine names UCSD professor as 2011 Health Hero

Ellen Beck, MD, clinical professor of medicine in the UC San Diego School of Medicine's Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, has been named a 2011 Health Hero by WebMD Magazine.

10 Nov 2011

Miss. voters reject abortion measure; Ohio restores pubic employees' rights

Ohio voters passed a constitutional amendment to block implementation of the individual mandate, but that measure could easily become moot if the Supreme Court rules on the issue.

10 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Romney's critical missing information on Medicare; anti-smoking messages too graphic

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney conveniently left out key facts when he ripped a new health care cost-control measure - the Independent Payment Advisory Board. . The Affordable Care Act also specifically limits the board's powers. It cannot ration care, reduce benefits, raise premiums or other cost-sharing such as copays. As part of that, it cannot raise Medicare's eligibility age, as Romney himself has proposed.

10 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 9, 2011

In today's headlines, reports on the latest developments related to the 'super committee's' deliberations, an appeals court issues a health law decision and results from yesterday's elections.

9 Nov 2011

Health insurance exchanges generating controversy, even within GOP

A Wisconsin state senator blocking health care reform implementation in the state is calling on Gov. Scott Walker's administration to return a major federal grant to build information technology infrastructure for new health insurance exchanges. So far, though, it looks like Walker isn't listening. Wisconsin is the last GOP-led state holding onto its Early Innovator grant.

9 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Today's 'personhood' vote in Miss.; reactions to Romney's health care plan

What about in vitro fertilization, a process that both creates and discards embryos? What new rights would be afforded to a fetus, and how would those rights affect or compete with the rights of the woman who carries it? Would a woman who has an abortion be guilty of murder and subject to capital punishment? ... In their quest to ban abortion in Mississippi, the amendment's drafters appear to have rushed past such concerns.

9 Nov 2011

On Election Day, watching key ballot issues in Ohio, Mississippi

Voters across the nation will decide a host of statewide initiatives Tuesday and elect governors in Mississippi and Kentucky ... In battleground Ohio, voters will decide ... whether to prohibit people from being required to buy health insurance as part of the national health care overhaul.

9 Nov 2011

New poverty calculations show how health costs hurt seniors

The Census Bureau's analysis finds childhood poverty declining because of the CHIP health care program and supplemental nutrition efforts. But older Americans fare worse because of out-of-pocket health costs.

9 Nov 2011

Romney takes health care message to Iowa

Romney promised to "slay the deficit beast." The first step, he said, would be to reverse Obama's health reform law. ... Other themes: Romney continued his call to turn many federal responsibilities over to the states. He said states would be better positioned to run Medicaid, the government health insurance program for the poor.

9 Nov 2011

Parents of children on Medicaid, CHIP give programs good grades

Parents whose children get their health services through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program say they have good access to doctors and that their children are getting good care, according to a federal survey that the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services will release Tuesday morning.

9 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 8, 2011

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories on malpractice reforms and previews of voting in Ohio on two ballot questions affecting health care issues and a Mississippi abortion issue.

8 Nov 2011

Federal officials say new program can improve health services

The Innovation Advisors Program, intended to help leaders bring change to Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP, could help spark changes throughout the industry, Modern Healthcare reports.

8 Nov 2011

Socioeconomic status may affect people's physical functioning

A new national study shows that wealthier Americans and those with private health insurance fare better than others on one important measure of health - and this health gap only grows wider as they age.

8 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Weighing the ballot measures in Miss. and Ohio; the super committee's task

For all their sincerity and fervor, proponents of the personhood movement represent a small minority nationwide. In Gallup polls, support for a total abortion ban is almost exactly where it was in 1973 - at just over 20%, despite a rise in backing for limitations. Most people certainly don't want homicide charges brought against women who choose to have abortions or doctors who perform them.

8 Nov 2011

Economic burden of chronic hepatitis C-related liver disease

Health care costs for hepatitis C patients with end-stage liver disease are nearly 2.5 times higher than those in the early stages, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.

8 Nov 2011

Health coverage issues for young and old: Broadening access to CHIP; closing the door on CLASS Act

As many states open CHIP programs to provide coverage for children of some state employees, the halting of CLASS Act implementation means consumers must carefully consider their long-term care options.

8 Nov 2011

Insurance Commissioners delay vote on brokers' fees

The National Association Of Insurance Commissioners meeting could not come to a consensus on the issue of whether to remove broker and agent fees from the expenses that insurance companies can count as administrative costs under the health law. In the meantime, GOP lawmakers have asked the IRS commissioner to clarify that individuals in state exchanges get any tax credits created under the new law.

7 Nov 2011

Blue Shield of Calif. turns to retail stores; Poll finds workers' share of health costs growing

Insurer's retail outlet in San Francisco will be in a supermarket. Meanwhile, a poll of large U.S. employer health spending by Modern Healthcare finds workers' costs are increasing.

7 Nov 2011