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Illegal aliens to benefit from health care reform bill: Congressional Research Service

Tuesday, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the "research arm" for the United States Congress, issued a report validating an analysis by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), that illegal aliens would be able to receive benefits under the House health care reform bill, America's Affordable Health Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200).

27 Aug 2009

Health spending blamed for ballooning deficit projection

The White House's grim new budget projections, released Tuesday, show a decade-worth of deficits tallying $9.05 trillion, $2 trillion deeper than anticipated in February, the New York Times reports. Peter Orszag, the White House budget director, said "the key driver of our long-term deficits" is federal health spending, mainly on the ballooning Medicare and Medicaid programs, making health reform essential. "Over all, it underscores the dire fiscal situation that we inherited and the need for serious steps to put our nation back on a sustainable fiscal path," Orszag said, asserting that this White House was confronting a Bush administration legacy (Calmes, 8/25).

27 Aug 2009

Wednesday's round up of state health stories

State health news coverage includes political vandalism in Colorado, health-related bills in Maine, Medicaid cuts in Maryland and a dismissed medical malpractice lawsuit in Florida.

26 Aug 2009

New president elected for the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making non-profit organization

Michael J. Barry, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, has been named the new president of the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making, the non-profit organization in Boston that has pioneered the creation and use of high quality audio-visual decision aids to enhance patient involvement in their own medical decisions.

26 Aug 2009

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

Two tax provisions in the health-care bill voted on by the House Ways and Means Committee earlier this summer have gained significant attention. One would impose a surtax on high-income earners. The other would force individuals (or their employers) who do not have approved health-insurance plans to pay a tax penalty. But there are other "revenue provisions" in the bill that also deserve a close look (James M. Peaslee, 8/25).

26 Aug 2009

HealthCore study reports that oral controllers provide better clinical outcomes for asthma patients

Mayo Clinic Proceedings published a peer-reviewed comparative effectiveness study performed by HealthCore, Inc. in its August edition. The study demonstrated that in general had better clinical outcomes with oral controllers than inhaled corticosteroids.

26 Aug 2009

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City selects UMB Healthcare Services to provide Health Savings Accounts to its customers

UMB Healthcare Services, a division of UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: UMBF), announced today that they were selected by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City to provide Health Savings Accounts (HSA) to its customers.

26 Aug 2009

Importance of access to oral health care emphasized

Kool Smiles, a leading general dentistry provider for kids and parents, opened the doors to its newest location in the Bashford area of Louisville, KY.

26 Aug 2009

Pro-health reform, other rallies to start this week

In an effort to counter the public's growing skepticism over health reform, "supporters of President Barack Obama's health care agenda are ramping up their efforts with rallies and bus tours starting this week," the Associated Press reports.

26 Aug 2009

One-quarter of medicare beneficiaries will see premium hikes next year

While some in Medicare will not see premiums rise, Medicaid recipients, wealthy retirees and new enrollees will all have to pay more, U.S. News and World Report reports.

26 Aug 2009

Customized health plan introduced by American Community

As Nebraska employers seek out additional ways to reduce rising healthcare costs, American Community Mutual Insurance Company announced today the addition of Latitude(TM), a small group product that allows employers to customize a health plan with the benefits that employees want at a price that business owners can afford.

26 Aug 2009

Democrats talk of moving reform bill without republicans, plan rallies

Democrats are preparing to move ahead without Republicans on health care reform, a leading House Democrat said Monday, The Hill reports.

26 Aug 2009

Prescription assistance program helps Iowa residents to save money on drugs

Iowa residents have saved over $800,000 on prescription drugs through Iowa Drug Card since the launch of the free statewide prescription assistance program. The program, which offers free discount drug cards to Iowa residents, was launched in June, 2008. Every resident of Iowa is eligible to participate in the prescription assistance program.

26 Aug 2009

Arizona awards health care contract to Aetna

Aetna (NYSE:AET) announced today that it was awarded a contract to provide health care benefits to Arizona’s state employees. The contract becomes effective on October 1, 2009.

26 Aug 2009

Aetna promotes patient safety measures through informative website

Aetna (NYSE:AET) is strengthening its efforts to promote patient safety with easy-to-find online information for members. New policies also require health care facilities, physicians and other health care professionals to take action to prevent medical errors and changes the way they are paid when medical errors do occur.

26 Aug 2009

Young Obama supporters missing from health reform debate

Obama's tech-savvy young activists, who were instrumental in getting him elected, are not as active on health care reform, a gap Obama will have to fix if he is to regain momentum for his top domestic priority, The Associated Press reports.

26 Aug 2009

Healthcare information technology to enable clinicians spend more time on patient care

Healthcare reform, a current hot button headline, is not a new issue. In fact, the concept has been kicking around the Hill since Teddy Roosevelt, who started the discussion of a national health insurance program in the early 1900s.

25 Aug 2009

Seechange Health acquires Central Benefits National Life Insurance company

SeeChange Health, the nation’s only fully-insured, value-based health insurance provider, announced today the acquisition of Central Benefits National Life Insurance, a health and life insurance company based in Westerville, OH. The transaction closed on July 31, 2009.

25 Aug 2009

Study reveals that Americans lack confidence in healthcare reforms

Americans lack confidence that healthcare reform will deliver more affordable or better quality medical care, according to a survey released today by the Thomson Reuters.

25 Aug 2009

States pass laws to expand parents' ability to insure 20-somethings

Wall Street Journal reports: "As Washington wrestles with health-care reform, states have been busy passing their own laws to allow many young adults to remain longer on a parent's health insurance."

25 Aug 2009