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K Streeters must choose sides as health debate nears showdown

Health industry lobbying groups are positioning themselves for the final battles over health reform, and that will mean formally choosing sides - for, or against - on Democrats' health-care overhaul, The Hill reports.

14 Oct 2009

CAHI releases statement on Senate health care reform proposal

Critics are up in arms over America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) daring to speak the truth about the Senate health care reform proposal, and we applaud the organization's efforts. If anything AHIP's analysis of health premium increases is too low. Supporters of the health bills are simply ignoring years of states' evidence of many of these proposed Senate and House health reforms.

14 Oct 2009

Senate Finance Committee to vote today on health care reform overhaul

After months of negotiation, haggling, posturing and talking, the Senate Finance Committee votes today on a health care reform bill.

14 Oct 2009

Consumer Watchdog urges Congress should embrace "prior approval" regulation of health care rates

The White House and Congress should embrace "prior approval" regulation of health care rates in response to the health insurance industry's threat that costs will increase under a reform plan being considered by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee today.

14 Oct 2009

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

"Yes, we are going to crack down on health insurance company abuses and extend health insurance coverage. But, just as important, we are going to give our citizens access to a 21st century health care system — one that is focused on preventing obesity and disease, and helping us to live healthy, active, productive lives" (Sen. Tom Harkin, 10/12).

14 Oct 2009

AHIP supports bipartisan health care reform that covers all Americans

"We strongly support comprehensive, bipartisan health care reform that covers all Americans, improves quality, and puts the health care system on an affordable, sustainable path. Health plans have proposed guaranteed coverage, elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions, and no longer basing premiums on health status or gender. Experience in the states has shown that market reforms need to paired with universal coverage to make health care as affordable as possible.

14 Oct 2009

Ahead of key Committee vote, Democrats attack insurers' claim that health premiums will rise

White House officials and Democratic lawmakers are fighting assertions from insurers that the Senate Finance Committee health bill would push health insurance premiums higher.

14 Oct 2009

Consumer reports survey shows health plans get lukewarm response

A recent survey shows health insurance plans get "lukewarm" responses while other articles examine how to choose a good plan. The Washington Post reports: "Consumers aren't that enthralled with their current insurance to begin with. In a recent Consumer Reports survey, only 64 percent of readers said they were very or completely satisfied with their plan. That's a lukewarm response and a slight drop from the 67 percent who responded the same way in CR's 2007 report."

14 Oct 2009

More employers demand workers prove dependents are eligible for coverage

The Washington Post reports that some employers are pushing ineligible dependents out of health insurance plans. "Call it a sign of the times: A growing number of area employers, including the Commonwealth of Virginia, Johns Hopkins University and the Navy Federal Credit Union, are cracking down on workers who enroll ex-spouses, over-age children, grandchildren and others not entitled to coverage under their health plan.

13 Oct 2009

National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants to hold its first annual conference

The National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC), the nation's first professional association for people working as healthcare and patient advocates, will hold its first annual conference November 14-15 at the University of California, Berkeley Clark Kerr Campus.

13 Oct 2009

Congressman Joe Wilson's statement on healthcare reform

Participating in his first full length radio interview since his famously shouted “You Lie” remark during President Obama’s address to Congress propelled him into the media spotlight, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) appeared on the nationally syndicated Neal Asbury Show on WZAB-AM. Congressman Wilson attributed his dramatic vocal response to a “town hall moment,” a visceral reaction to what he inherently knew was Obama’s misrepresentation of the citizenship immigration policy.

13 Oct 2009

Virginia Health Information releases HMO quality and satisfaction reports

Virginia Health Information (VHI), a nonprofit health information company, reports HMO quality and satisfaction reports at www.vhi.org.

13 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 13, 2009

All eyes are watching for the outcome of today's Senate Finance Committee health bill vote. Will the measure pass? How will Sen. Olympia Snowe vote? And what about that insurance industry report?

13 Oct 2009

Five principles recommended by Iowa Committee for high-value health care

The Iowa Committee for Value in Healthcare today issued a report on five key principles for high-value, fiscally responsible health care that Congress and the Obama administration should consider as they continue discussions over national reform.

13 Oct 2009

FirstCare Texas to provide Vermedx Diabetes Information System to health care providers and patients

FirstCare Texas has signed a contract with Vermedx, Inc. to provide its patent-pending Vermedx Diabetes Information System (VDIS) for the use of health care providers and patients belonging to First Care Health Plan's health maintenance organization operating in Lubbock, Waco, Abilene, and Amarillo, Texas.

13 Oct 2009

Women abused by intimate partners suffer higher rates of medical maladies

Women abused by intimate partners suffer higher rates of a wide variety of doctor-diagnosed medical maladies compared to women who were never abused, according to a new study of more than 3,000 women.

13 Oct 2009

Democrats and reform advocates lash back at insurers

Reactions and Democratic push back are beginning to be evident after the release Monday of an insurance industry-sponsored report (.pdf) that warns premiums could wind up costing $4,000 more by the end of decade if a proposed health overhaul is implemented, the Associated Press reports. The report isn't "worth the paper it's written on," AARP Executive Vice President John Rother said. The retiree's association has supported health reform (Alonso-Zaldivar and Werner, 10/12).

12 Oct 2009

Enroll NY website helps New York State's largest public and private health plans with valuable leads

Six of New York State’s largest public and private health plans are receiving valuable leads for their Medicaid managed care, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus programs, thanks to a new Web site that allows New Yorkers to quickly screen for public health insurance program eligibility.

12 Oct 2009

Medical interpreters to bring equitable healthcare to LEP patients closer

Patients in the United States with limited English proficiency (LEP) continue to face language barriers that threaten their health and undermine their well-being. But today they are one step closer to quality, equitable healthcare with the launch of the first National Certification for Medical Interpreters.

12 Oct 2009

Health on the hill

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd of the Kaiser Family Foundation about the impact an insurance industry report could have on this week's much anticipated health overhaul action.

12 Oct 2009