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CED report warns that health care reform will not succeed without cost reforms

The health-care delivery system and payment structure need significant reforms, or the health care reform law passed by Congress will prove to be an "empty promise." That is the conclusion of a new report, Health Care in California and National Health Reform, from the business-led Committee for Economic Development.

1 Jul 2010

Wellpoint warns 470,000 insurance applicants about website security breach

"WellPoint Inc. has warned some 470,000 people who applied for its health insurance that a website security glitch may have exposed their Social Security numbers and other sensitive data to the public." WellPoint quickly fixed the problem after being notified by a consumer who noticed it. The glitch "was introduced in October by a contractor who upgraded the site," according to a company spokesman. According to WellPoint officials, the "security glitch was exploited to access information on 940 insurance applications" and "unauthorized viewers accessed spreadsheets that 'in rare cases' contained Social Security numbers" (Finkle, 6/29).

1 Jul 2010

Tracking poll finds health reform law gaining in popularity

"The health-care overhaul gained popularity from May to June, according to a new tracking poll." The poll, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation "found that 48 percent of the public had a favorable view of the law in June while 41 percent had an unfavorable opinion." (Kaiser Health News is a program of the foundation.) In May, the tracking poll had found "41 percent favorable to 44 percent unfavorable."

1 Jul 2010

Ambitious high-risk health insurance pools supposed to launch this week

The Associated Press: "The Obama administration is launching a special coverage program for uninsured Americans with medical problems this week, the most ambitious early investment of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. But here's the catch: Premiums will be a stretch for many, even after government subsidies to bring rates close to what healthier groups of people are charged."

1 Jul 2010

Health reform's early retiree reinsurance program accepting applications; Other overhaul initiatives get attention

HHS announced Tuesday that it "has begun accepting applications for the early retiree reinsurance program created by the new health law. The law sets aside $5 billion that businesses, unions and state and local governments can use to cover the healthcare costs of their retirees — and their spouses and dependents — who are older than 55 but don't yet qualify for Medicare." Some are worried that money for that program won't last through 2014, when other parts of the law take effect.

30 Jun 2010

AMI study finds India's healthcare sector set to spend over $250M on IT in 2010

Seemingly untouched by the worldwide economic downturn, India's healthcare sector is set to spend over US$250 million on IT in 2010. Healthcare in India comprises more than 5% of the nation's GDP and displays a healthy growth rate over the next four to five years. This comes from a study by New York-based Access Markets International (AMI) Partners, Inc., a leading consulting firm specializing in IT and telecom sectors.

30 Jun 2010

Independence Blue Cross announces five new Personal Choice PPO plans

Beginning July 1, 2010, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will offer five new Personal Choice® PPO plan options for individuals – expanding the range of individual plan choices for health care consumers in the region. These medically underwritten plans are available in three popular formats: copay, deductible and health savings account (HSA) plan designs that enable consumers to choose the type of plan and pricing that fits their specific needs.

30 Jun 2010

Humana launches ‘Points of Caregiving’ program

Humana Inc. today introduced Points of Caregiving, a comprehensive resource for the nation's 52 million caregivers. Designed as a complete caregiver's destination, the program includes an easy-to-use interactive website, telephonic support and customized reminders to help caregivers make decisions with confidence and to find support from peers.

30 Jun 2010

Insuring your health: Part-time workers to get help on health insurance – but not now

In this Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "Sarah Rose Nordgren works 25 to 30 hours a week as a waitress at an upscale restaurant in Chapel Hill, N.C."

30 Jun 2010

Health law provisions kicking in; States prepare for high-risk insurance pool implementation

Three months after health reform was enacted, state leaders are beginning to make decisions about implementing the new law, Politico reports: "With the messy politics of health reform, the burden of balancing state budgets and the goal of expanding health coverage, lawmakers at the state level have had mixed reactions."

30 Jun 2010

Counseling programs increase mammography compliance among low-income women

Even with health insurance, low-income women had lower rates of mammography screening than middle-class women, but a counseling program increased the likelihood of screening.

30 Jun 2010

News round up: UniCare will drop health coverage for Virginians; Hawaii concerned about lack of physicians

The Washington Post: "About 3,000 Virginians who have health insurance through UniCare, a private insurer, will lose that coverage Jan. 1, a UniCare spokesman said Monday. Most live in Northern Virginia and get their coverage through the individual market, officials said.

30 Jun 2010

Consumer guides about part-time workers, Medigap coverage and navigating medical costs

News outlets offer consumer guides about health insurance.

30 Jun 2010

COBRA, jobs bill in further jeopardy after death of Sen. Byrd

Roll Call: The death of Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W. Va., has jeopardized further the passage of some bills in Congress, including a bill that would extend unemployment benefits. "Democratic leaders have been thwarted numerous times in recent weeks on jobs legislation, despite scaling down the measure dramatically after Republicans and some moderate Democrats balked at adding to the deficit.

30 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 29, 2010

In this Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "Sarah Rose Nordgren works 25 to 30 hours a week as a waitress at an upscale restaurant in Chapel Hill, N.C. She also tutors high- schoolers on their college entrance essays and has an editorial internship at a book publisher. But if something were to go seriously wrong with her health, she'd be in trouble because none of her three jobs offers health insurance" (Kaiser Health News).

29 Jun 2010

High-risk insurance program in Pennsylvania for uninsured individuals with pre-existing medical conditions

The federal government has approved Pennsylvania's application to offer a high-risk insurance program for uninsured individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, state Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario said today.

29 Jun 2010

Health reform law this week: Some states to miss deadline on high-risk pools, tanning tax kicks in

USA Today: "The key early program of the nation's new health law aims to provide affordable coverage to about 200,000 people with pre-existing medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes, through federal high-risk insurance pools. The law called for the program to be in place last week, 90 days after its enactment, though the Department of Health and Human Services had said the programs would launch Thursday to coincide with the start of states' fiscal years."

28 Jun 2010

Tricare to allow civilian employers of military retirees to offer cafeteria insurance plans

Tricare is allowing civilian employers of military retirees to offer a cafeteria-style supplemental health insurance plan so that "workers who elect to use their Tricare Standard benefit can buy coverage conveniently and with pre-taxed dollars," The Colorado Springs Gazette reports. A former law prohibited employers from "enticing retirees to use Tricare instead of employer-paid insurance."

28 Jun 2010

Today's OpEds: A new breed of medical education, more on the Medicare 'doc fix,' efforts to cut health care waste

Medical schools in particular may transform the way healthcare is practiced and viewed by the general community and its leaders. The medical school with this focus will not only pursue traditional missions like research and teaching students diagnostic skills but also emphasize community involvement, local medicine, social consciousness and local cultural issues (Dr. John Rock, 6/28).

28 Jun 2010

First Edition: June 28, 2010

Today's health policy headlines continue to track the tax package difficulties faced by Senate Democrats in their efforts to extend the COBRA benefit subsidy and enhanced Medicaid funding for states.

28 Jun 2010

Health Insurance News and Research

CED report warns that health care reform will not succeed without cost reforms

Wellpoint warns 470,000 insurance applicants about website security breach

Tracking poll finds health reform law gaining in popularity

Ambitious high-risk health insurance pools supposed to launch this week

Health reform's early retiree reinsurance program accepting applications; Other overhaul initiatives get attention

AMI study finds India's healthcare sector set to spend over $250M on IT in 2010

Independence Blue Cross announces five new Personal Choice PPO plans

Humana launches ‘Points of Caregiving’ program

Insuring your health: Part-time workers to get help on health insurance – but not now

Health law provisions kicking in; States prepare for high-risk insurance pool implementation

Counseling programs increase mammography compliance among low-income women

News round up: UniCare will drop health coverage for Virginians; Hawaii concerned about lack of physicians

Consumer guides about part-time workers, Medigap coverage and navigating medical costs

COBRA, jobs bill in further jeopardy after death of Sen. Byrd

First Edition: June 29, 2010

High-risk insurance program in Pennsylvania for uninsured individuals with pre-existing medical conditions

Health reform law this week: Some states to miss deadline on high-risk pools, tanning tax kicks in

Tricare to allow civilian employers of military retirees to offer cafeteria insurance plans

Today's OpEds: A new breed of medical education, more on the Medicare 'doc fix,' efforts to cut health care waste

First Edition: June 28, 2010

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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