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NPAF releases "Must Have Provisions Under Health Reform" analysis

The National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) -- a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of creating avenues of improved patient access to health care through public policy reform at the state and federal levels -- today released "Must Have Provisions Under Health Reform," an independent analysis of proposed insurance market reforms and their role in improving the current health care system.

4 Nov 2009

Little difference in capital requirements found between co-ops and public plan, says nonpartisan experts

A group of nonpartisan experts said that the necessary start-up capital for either health insurance co-operatives or a public plan option may be substantial and could vary greatly.

4 Nov 2009

Aetna provides free electronic roster billing to pharmacies and other providers for H1N1 flu vaccine claims

Aetna is providing free electronic roster billing for pharmacies and other non-traditional providers to use when submitting claims for the administration of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

4 Nov 2009

Reid works to convince moderate Dems to vote for Senate health bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is in the "awkward position of looking for votes on a major health care reform bill that doesn't quite exist," Roll Call reports.

4 Nov 2009

GOP health reform bill takes shape as draft circulates on Capitol Hill

The Associated Press: "After months spent criticizing Democrats' health overhaul plans, House Republicans have produced a draft proposal of their own. It's much shorter and focuses on bringing down costs rather than extending coverage to nearly all Americans."

4 Nov 2009

New health privacy regulations spark debate

Information Week reports that the Department of Health and Human Services has issued a rule to "beef up penalties for violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA)." But the rule has generated complaints from a bipartisan group of congressmen, who argue it leaves loopholes and doesn't properly determine when privacy has been breached.

4 Nov 2009

The uninsured, putting off care, facing debt

ProPublica profiles Anne Johnson, a 41-year-old single mother in California "whose family has been uninsured since she lost her job as a secretary in February," and explores how health reform could affect her. Johnson "needs her aortic valve replaced, but without insurance she can't afford the surgery. She is supposed to get checkups every six months, but that is also too expensive - so she has put them off."

4 Nov 2009

Insurers pressed about use of premium money for non-medical expenses

An analysis released in a letter by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., suggests that the amount of money insurance companies spend to cover medical expenses could be less than the companies claim.

3 Nov 2009

Press conference to discuss how health insurance reform will benefit small businesses

Democratic Senators Tom Harkin and Mary Landrieu and Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson joined Mike Draper, a small business owner from Des Moines, Iowa; Gwendolyn Barnes, a small business owner from Shreveport, Louisiana; Dr. Ken Brantley, a small business owner from Richmond, Virginia; and other small business owners from across the country at a press conference this morning to discuss how health insurance reform will benefit small businesses.

3 Nov 2009

Health Analytics Solution Center launched by IBM

IBM today announced the launch of its Health Analytics Solution Center, part of a network of global centers addressing the growing demand for advanced analytics needed to help hospitals and medical staff improve decision-making and provide higher quality care.

3 Nov 2009

Democrats still face roadblocks to health reform: Abortion, immigration

Though House leaders say they'd like a health reform bill vote by Friday, some Democrats are threatening to block its passage over the issue of abortion.

3 Nov 2009

Louisiana struggles with Medicaid shortfall; Texas governor criticizes reform

Newspapers report on health issues at the state level, including Louisiana's struggles with a Medicaid shortfall and the Texas governor's criticism of congressional health care reform efforts.

3 Nov 2009

CBO: House health bill would lower some middle class premiums, raise costs for others

House Democrats say their health overhaul proposal will lead to health insurance premium savings for many consumers, though estimates of the overall measure's cost, as well as the taxes and fees required to pay for it, is a source of criticism and concern.

3 Nov 2009

Business groups begin TV ad campaign against House health bill

Lobbying and business groups continue to organize and spend millions to shape health care reform.

3 Nov 2009

Triple-S Management reports consolidated revenues of $507.3M for the third quarter of 2009

Triple-S Management Corporation, the largest managed care company in Puerto Rico, today announced consolidated revenues of $507.3 million and operating income of $15.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Net income of $18.1 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, includes an after tax net gain of $6.3 million, or $0.22 per share, in net realized and unrealized gains on investments and derivatives.

3 Nov 2009

West Pharmaceutical Services reports financial results for the third quarter of 2009

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. today announced its results for the third quarter of 2009.

3 Nov 2009

First Edition: November 3, 2009

Today's headlines focus on the the timing, politics, costs and contents of pending health overhaul bills, as well as a soon-to-be released GOP alternative.

3 Nov 2009

Public option might be only a minor player in changing health care

Kaiser Health News staff writers Eric Pianin, Mary Agnes Carey and Julie Appleby combine efforts to provide this analysis of the reach of the public option in terms of its potential impact on the health care system.

3 Nov 2009

With state budgets tight, services are cut; Kansas looks to avoid mandates

California cut program budgets aimed at providing care for the poor while in Wyoming, the programs themselves are forced to close their doors because of a funding shortfall. In Kansas, lawmakers are examining — ahead of final consideration of health care reform in Congress — how they can shield themselves from health care mandates to carry insurance.

3 Nov 2009

Senate, House split over taxes to pay for health overhaul

A health care overhaul that would expand health insurance coverage to millions isn't free, and in addition to proposed cuts, bills would raise revenue with taxes and fees. "The typical family would be spared higher taxes from the House Democratic plan to overhaul health care, and their low-income neighbors could come out ahead," the Associated Press/Boston Globe reports.

3 Nov 2009