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Health care law in the Appeals court

In the U.S. this Wednesday one of the federal appeals court took up a significant legal challenge to last year's health law. Judges are deliberating over the fact that whether it was constitutional to require people to carry insurance or pay a penalty.

9 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Blue Shield's profit cap; employees could be surprised by loss of health benefits; involving patients

Blue Shield of California announced Tuesday that it will cap its profits for the sake of making health insurance more affordable. Richer in symbolism than in economic impact, the move seems designed to deflect scrutiny and blame from insurers onto others in the industry, particularly doctors and hospitals. All the same, the steadily rising cost of medical care is where the real challenge lies for the sustainability of the healthcare system.

9 Jun 2011

Nearly half of employers may stop employee’s health benefits

A latest speculation suggests that nearly a third of employers are likely to stop offering health insurance to employees in 2014 when major federal healthcare-reform provisions kick in. This comes from a new report by McKinsey Quarterly.

8 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 8, 2011

Health insurer Blue Shield of California, under fire for a series of recent rate hikes and the pay of its chief executive, plans to cut this year's premiums by 2.5% for many of its 3.3 million policyholders as part of a new initiative to hold down costs (Helfand, 6/8).

8 Jun 2011

Dems push for debt deal that doesn't include Medicare cuts

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., sent an email to House Republicans Monday saying he is optmistic that ongoing budget talks will meet the standard set by Speaker John Boehner -- meaning legislation to raise the debt limit will be accompanied by deficit reduction. Some Democratic senators, though, are pressing Vice President Joe Biden, who is overseeing budget negotiations, to steer clear of the GOP Medicare plan.

8 Jun 2011

Santorum stakes out Medicare, budget positions

News outlets report that former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn., may turn out to be Rep. Paul Ryan's, R-Wis., biggest advocate. He gave a strong defense of Ryan's plan to revamp Medicare and control its costs.

8 Jun 2011

ACO defenders emerge as comment period ends

Deadline day arrived Monday for comments on Medicare's much-abused proposal for accountable care organizations. And supporters of the Obama administration championed its pro-patient provisions in the face of criticism from the health industry. Early industry feedback on the ACO rule focused on the expense and complexity it posed for hospitals, doctors and health organizations interested in teaming up to achieve higher quality, better patient care and lower costs.

8 Jun 2011

State roundup: Texas legislator seeks to force vote on 'health care compact'

Two Atlanta gatherings Monday showed that health care isn't waiting around for whatever happens to the 2010 reform law. Gov. Nathan Deal's committee on health exchanges met at the state Capitol for introductions and background on their task. ... Ryan Teague, deputy executive counsel for the governor, said the health reform law is "a heavyhanded approach to expanding Medicaid."

8 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Confronting 'giant' Medicare choices; first lady's anti-obesity campaign; Calif. insurance rules

Sometimes life presents you with a basic philosophical choice. Americans are going to have to confront a giant one over the next several years. It starts in the wonky world of Medicare. ... Democrats have much greater faith in centralized expertise. ... [Republicans] have much greater faith in the decentralized discovery process of the market.

8 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 7, 2011

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with The Washington Post, Sandra Boodman writes: "Being in a hospital at night or over a weekend can be hazardous to your health, and even has a name: 'the weekend effect.' A raft of studies has documented higher rates of death, complications and medical errors affecting patients treated at night or on weekends".

7 Jun 2011

New poll finds 63% of Massachusetts residents support health care law enacted in 2006

A new poll by the Harvard School of Public Health and The Boston Globe finds 63% of Massachusetts residents support the health care reform legislation enacted in 2006, 21% oppose it while 6% are not sure and 9% have not heard or read about the law.

7 Jun 2011

AstraZeneca receives AmeriCares' Power of Partnership Award for global health programs

AmeriCares has awarded its annual Power of Partnership Award to AstraZeneca for its outstanding commitment to increasing access to health care for people in need both here at home and throughout the developing world.

7 Jun 2011

States slow to set up health exchanges; Alabama moves forward on reforms

Recent stories examine how states are responding to the federal health law and its implementation. Meanwhile, Politico looks at a Deep South state and the health moves there that are surprising some observers.

6 Jun 2011

Roundup: Poll finds growing support in Mass. for health law

Support for the Massachusetts universal health care law has increased since 2009, according to a poll of the state's residents -- even as the law has become the subject of blistering attacks in national and presidential politics, and health care costs soar.

6 Jun 2011

Medicare, Medicaid continue to play central role in budget debate

As the standoff over raising the nation's debt ceiling continues, congressional efforts to cut entitlement programs appear increasingly likely to be pushed off until after the next election. In the background, though, both parties are focusing on Medicare and Medicaid as key to their future prospects.

6 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Reps. on Medicare politics, policies, community pharmacies; Reflections on AIDS

The [Ryan] privatization proposal overlooks the fact that when it comes to rising health costs, Medicare is part of the solution, not the problem. ... Together with health care reform, Medicare can be the driver of innovation due to its sheer market share.

6 Jun 2011

Health law waivers: Political benefit or policy safety valve?

Media outlets report on the varying views on the waivers granted so far by the Obama administration to ease requirements of the health law. Meanwhile, specific regulations — such as those relating to the "broker rule" and accountable care organizations — continue to be hot topics.

6 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 6, 2011

Kaiser Health News staff writer Christopher Weaver reports: "Short on cash and time, officials in California and at least a dozen other states have turned to philanthropies to help pay for the extra work required under the federal health law".

6 Jun 2011

Study examines disparities in physical fitness levels between two groups

An Indiana University study examining disparities in physical fitness levels between older adults who are patients of safety net community health centers (CHC) and those who are members of a medically affiliated fitness center is producing stunning results.

6 Jun 2011

Department of Health urges caregivers, parents to update students' immunizations

Parents and caregivers are urged to use the summer break to make sure all students' immunizations are up to date before new regulations take effect in August, the Department of Health said today.

4 Jun 2011