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White House emphasizes rising health insurance costs as reason for reform

The Los Angeles Times analyzes how insurance costs became a focal point: "The Democrats' bill was in serious trouble when news broke of planned rate hikes by the California insurer. ... Anthem Blue Cross was seeking double-digit rate increases for many of its 800,000 individual policyholders. Company executives had little reason to worry. Insurers can raise premiums in the individual market as often -- and as much -- as they like, within certain guidelines. For years, such requests were routinely approved."

8 Mar 2010

Democrats pressure Stupak on abortion; Split threatening health bill

A split among Democrats on abortion is threatening to derail efforts to overhaul the nation's health care system.

8 Mar 2010

Medicare payment issues raise questions, concerns

Medicare payment issues including rising costs, caps on physical therapy and other outpatient services for some patients are in the news.

8 Mar 2010

First Edition: March 8, 2010

Today's headlines highlight how the health reform battle lines continue to take shape as President Obama takes his plan on the road, looking for public support.

8 Mar 2010

KCI receives reimbursement approval for use of V.A.C. ATS Therapy System in Japan

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. today announced it has received reimbursement approval from Japan’s Health Insurance Bureau for use of the innovative V.A.C. ATS® Therapy System in the country. The approval signifies an important advancement in the company’s plans for market launch in April and follows Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s decision in November 2009 to grant final regulatory approval for the product.

8 Mar 2010

Survey challenges long-held assumption: Having health insurance is synonymous with having access to health care

A survey released today by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation challenges the long-held assumption that having health insurance is synonymous with having access to health care.

8 Mar 2010

Illinois State Senator John Cullerton receives 2010 State Legislator of the Year Award from APAPO

Illinois State Senator John Cullerton (D) today received the 2010 State Legislator of the Year Award from the American Psychological Association Practice Organization (APAPO) in recognition of his legislative accomplishments to increase the availability of mental healthcare services and to promote greater public well being.

7 Mar 2010

Dems point to insurance analysis to boost health bill; GOP argues against reconciliation process

News coverage focused on the coming battle between Republicans and Democrats on health reform legislation.

7 Mar 2010

Hewitt Associates acquires retiree medical insurance company

Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, today announced it has acquired Senior Educators Ltd., a trusted, Web-based retiree medical insurance exchange that provides unbiased assistance to Medicare recipients seeking high-quality, affordable supplemental insurance products.

6 Mar 2010

Poll: On health reform, Americans trust Obama more than both parties in Congress

A new Gallup poll asked Americans whom they trusted to reform the nation's health care system.

5 Mar 2010

First Edition: March 5, 2010

After a week of stepped-up health reform activity, today's headlines highlight that the White House is intensifying its final push by setting a deadline for congressional action. Meanwhile, though, the Democratic party continues to face rifts within its own caucus. Abortion coverage issues again posing challenges to securing Democratic votes.

5 Mar 2010

Congressman Levin becomes new acting Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee: Pelosi issues statement

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement this morning on Sander Levin of Michigan becoming new acting Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee:

5 Mar 2010

Dialysis patients gather to encourage state lawmakers to support Medigap legislation

More than 50 dialysis patients, family members and kidney care advocates from across South Carolina gathered at the state Capitol today with the National Kidney Foundation Serving the Carolinas, South Carolina Region (NKF) and Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) to encourage state lawmakers to support Medigap legislation (S. 1128, sponsored by Senators Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) and Phillip Shoopman (R-Greenville), and H. 4552, sponsored by Representatives Joan Brady (R-Richland), Bill Sandifer (R-Seneca) and Kristopher Crawford (R-Florence)).

5 Mar 2010

KHN Column: Popular but ineffective: Repealing insurers' antitrust exemption

In today's Kaiser Health News column, Austin Frakt and Ian Crosby write: It is well known that concentration in the health insurance industry is to blame for rapidly rising premiums. Well known, but wrong.

5 Mar 2010

NRF urges Congress to reject calls to use fast-track rules to push flawed health care reform legislation

The National Retail Federation today urged Congress to reject calls to use fast-track budget reconciliation rules to push flawed health care reform legislation through the House and Senate.

5 Mar 2010

Health care freedom: Virginia first state to pass legislation

Today Virginia became the first state in the nation to enact legislation to protect their citizens from being forced to purchase health insurance or participate in any health care system against their will. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has identified 37 other states that have similar bills pending or have announced that they will introduce this legislation. Already, at least one house of the legislatures in Idaho, Missouri, and Tennessee have also passed such legislation.

5 Mar 2010

Sebelius meets with insurance execs, challenges them to be transparent

Reuters: During a meeting today, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius pressed the CEOs of some of the nation's largest health insurers about increases in insurance premiums. "The meeting added more uncertainty for an industry that has already become Democrats' top target in their bid to overhaul the nation's healthcare system, and shares of health insurers continued to fall in late-morning trading."

5 Mar 2010

Sebelius takes on health insurers

The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones: When health insurance executives meet with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at the White House Thursday to discuss premiums, they will "face a regulator who is well-versed in the complexities of the industry." Sebelius, whose resume includes a stretch as a state insurance commissioner, "is taking aim at rising premium rates as she joins President Barack Obama's push for an overhaul of the nation's health-coverage laws.

5 Mar 2010

Obama pushes reconciliation, action on health care overhaul

In his White House speech Wednesday afternoon, President Barack Obama outlined his updated health overhaul plan and endorsed a legislative maneuver meant to move the congressional efforts on health care reform forward.

4 Mar 2010

Sesame Workshop and AmeriChoice to develop bilingual education outreach program

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, and AmeriChoice, the UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company that provides health benefits for state and public programs, are partnering to develop a bilingual education outreach program aimed at helping low-income families make food choices that are affordable, nutritional and set the foundation for lifelong healthy habits.

4 Mar 2010

Health Insurance News and Research

White House emphasizes rising health insurance costs as reason for reform

Democrats pressure Stupak on abortion; Split threatening health bill

Medicare payment issues raise questions, concerns

First Edition: March 8, 2010

KCI receives reimbursement approval for use of V.A.C. ATS Therapy System in Japan

Survey challenges long-held assumption: Having health insurance is synonymous with having access to health care

Illinois State Senator John Cullerton receives 2010 State Legislator of the Year Award from APAPO

Dems point to insurance analysis to boost health bill; GOP argues against reconciliation process

Hewitt Associates acquires retiree medical insurance company

Poll: On health reform, Americans trust Obama more than both parties in Congress

First Edition: March 5, 2010

Congressman Levin becomes new acting Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee: Pelosi issues statement

Dialysis patients gather to encourage state lawmakers to support Medigap legislation

KHN Column: Popular but ineffective: Repealing insurers' antitrust exemption

NRF urges Congress to reject calls to use fast-track rules to push flawed health care reform legislation

Health care freedom: Virginia first state to pass legislation

Sebelius meets with insurance execs, challenges them to be transparent

Sebelius takes on health insurers

Obama pushes reconciliation, action on health care overhaul

Sesame Workshop and AmeriChoice to develop bilingual education outreach program

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