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Prevention and wellness provisions in the health reform bill passed by the House applauded

The American Public Health Association (APHA) applauds the prevention and wellness provisions in the health reform bill passed last night by the House.

9 Nov 2009

AMA hails passage of the House health reform bill

The AMA hails the passage of the House health reform bill, which will help improve the health system for patients and physicians and calls for swift passage of H.R. 3961 to secure the stability of the Medicare program. Passage of the House health reform bill is a big step forward as we work for comprehensive health reform this year.

8 Nov 2009

Democrats hail historic House health reform bill, turn focus to Senate

News outlets are still digesting the House of Representatives' passage of a landmark health care overhaul and also looking ahead to the Senate, where an effort to meld two health reform bills is stalled.

8 Nov 2009

Verizon director to address challenges facing the health care industry in complying to HITECH and HIPAA

An executive from the Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions practice group will participate in a panel discussion at the World Health Congress Leadership Summit on Health Information Technology on Nov. 9 in Alexandria.

7 Nov 2009

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to expand support for doctors and patients on Guam

A team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center will be meeting with leaders in medicine and health insurance and as well as patients during a visit to Guam this week.

7 Nov 2009

Cities and metropolitan areas may benefit from affordable healthcare reform

"We stand on the threshold of history. Real, affordable healthcare reform will have a far-reaching impact on our nation and especially on those who live in our cities and great metropolitan areas.

7 Nov 2009

Obama goes back on his 2008 pledge, endorses healthcare bill raising taxes on families making less than $250,000 per year

By formally endorsing the House healthcare bill today, President Barack Obama effectively announced that the central promise of his 2008 campaign was a lie.

7 Nov 2009

Health policy research roundup

Health Affairs: Enrollment Is Driving Medicaid Costs—But Two Targets Can Yield Savings - "Although Medicaid spending has grown faster than the rate of increase in national health spending, much of this is explained by increased enrollment," write the authors of this paper, who present data showing that "[p]er enrollee, Medicaid spending actually compares favorably to increases in medical care prices and gross domestic product."

7 Nov 2009

Senate Democrats' leaders face challenges, plot strategy on health reform bill

The Wall Street Journal reports on Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., who says she generally supports the health overhaul efforts, but would like to see more items like higher federal Medicaid payments for her state, increased coverage for foster children and more help for teaching hospitals in Louisiana before she commits to voting for the bill — all while insisting Democrats lower the cost of the bill."

6 Nov 2009

Tea party steeps on Capitol Hill

The Washington Post reports: "Newly emboldened after Republican victories in Tuesday's elections, 'tea party' protesters and other demonstrators from across the country converged on the Capitol's West Lawn to wave flags, ring cowbells and deliver a blunt message to lawmakers: 'Kill this bill!'"

6 Nov 2009

House health bill has controversial CHIP provision

The $894 billion health reform bill working its way toward a House vote this week would repeal the Children's Health Insurance Program, shifting some low-income kids into Medicaid and others into private plans that would both cost more and guarantee fewer benefits," The Washington Independent reports.

6 Nov 2009

Issues related to illegal immigrants could threaten health bill

The Hill reports that the "illegal immigration issue is emerging as the biggest threat to passing healthcare reform in the House." Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are upset with a last-minute threat to "bolster the House bill's immigration restrictions to match those included in the Senate Finance bill."

6 Nov 2009

House health bill: Texas lawmakers seek to protect hospitals, Hawaii gets an exemption

Employers in Hawaii are required to pay 98.5 percent of the health insurance costs of full-time workers, an arrangement that has earned the state an exemption from the employer mandate in health reform bill being considered by the House of Representatives, the Associated Press reports.

6 Nov 2009

AARP urge Idaho's U.S. Representatives to support health care reform legislation

As the debate over health care reform reaches a fevered pitch and the House readies to vote on critical health care reform legislation in the coming days - AARP is calling on Idaho's U.S. Representatives to support the bill. The AARP-backed Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which will close the Medicare prescription drug "doughnut hole" and tackle soaring insurance premiums, serves to help hundreds of thousands of Idahoans.

6 Nov 2009

Dingell plays powerful and historical health care role

NPR examines the historical role that Rep. John Dingell has played in health care policy, including the establishment of Medicare: "When people think of health care and Congress, often the first name that springs to mind is the late Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.

6 Nov 2009