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Last finance hurdle: how to pay for overhaul

A final hurdle, how to pay for the health overhaul bill, remains, Bloomberg reports. The remaining items for the Senate Finance Committee are whether "to increase taxes on the most-expensive insurance plans, impose new fees on health-related industries, and limit the tax benefits of flexible savings accounts" (Donmoyer and Rowley, 10/1).

1 Oct 2009

House Democratic leaders work to bridge divisions in ranks

Although much of the attention in the health care debate seems be on the Democratic divisions in the Senate, Democrats in the House are also split on what the next steps are.

1 Oct 2009

For American majority - those confused about health reform - a fresh wave of primers

For those still confused about the various health reform bills - six in ten are confused, and half say they don't know enough to form an opinion, the New York Times reports - news organizations offer a series of primers on key bills and provisions today.

1 Oct 2009

Doctors can be frustrated, confused by health care system

Some doctors feel frustrated by insurance paperwork while many recent medical school graduates say they are confused by the structure of the health care system.

1 Oct 2009

Capitol Hill personalities play a key role in how health bills are taking shape

A number of news organizations are detailing the conflicts and positions of certain lawmakers in the ongoing health overhaul effort.

1 Oct 2009

Baucus: Complete committee action on health bill 'by nightfall'

The Associated Press reports that Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said today as he began the panel's seventh day of mark-up that he "wanted to complete work on a sweeping health care bill by nightfall, opening the way for Democratic leaders to bring the historic legislation to the floors of both the House and Senate as early as mid-October." Once the Finance Committee finishes its deliberations on the measure, "Senate leaders can work to finalize a package to bring to the Senate floor."

1 Oct 2009

The HealthWell Foundation 's panel discussion draws attention on growing crisis of the underinsured

On Tuesday, September 22, 2009, The HealthWell Foundation, one of America's largest co-payment assistance organizations, hosted a panel discussion to help draw attention to the growing crisis of the underinsured and the related challenges of reducing financial barriers to care.

1 Oct 2009

Majority of people don't feel they have a voice in debate over health care: Poll results

The Senate Finance Committee handed a major victory to the health care industry Tuesday by voting down two proposals that would have created a "public option" to compete against private health insurance providers as part of an overhaul of the nation's health care system. The industry has fought the public option with lobbying expenses and campaign contributions since the beginning of the year, fearing that the proposed policy would cut into their record profits.

1 Oct 2009

CVS Caremark to offer vouchers worth $3 million for free seasonal flu shots

With the unemployment rate currently at the highest in over two decades, CVS Caremark today announced it has begun to provide 100,000 free seasonal flu shots to the unemployed as part of its efforts to help keep Americans healthy this flu season. The initiative kicks off today at The Work Place, a member of the Massachusetts Career One-Stop Initiative in Boston.

1 Oct 2009

Health information technology can improve health care for Americans living in rural communities

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a report on how health information technology can improve health care for Americans living in rural communities. The report examines how the Columbia Basin Health Association in Othello, Wash., uses health information technology to improve health care quality and patient safety as well as promote care coordination and continuity. The complete report is available now at www.healthreform.gov.

1 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 1, 2009

The progress continues, and so does the drama, as the Senate Finance Committee complete another day of its health bill mark up. Meanwhile, in the House, leaders are counting votes among their members.

1 Oct 2009

HHS awards $7.6M to help states recruit new health care professionals for shortage areas

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced 63 awards totaling more than $7.6 million to help states recruit new health care clinicians and alleviate their debt burden. The funds are part of the $500 million appropriated to HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to address workforce shortages and encourage diversity in the health professions.

1 Oct 2009

57% of Americans believe that tackling health care reform is more important than ever: Kaiser poll

Public support for health reform ended its summer slide, reversed course and moved modestly upwards in September, according to the latest Kaiser Health Tracking Poll.

1 Oct 2009

10-point checklist from eHealthInsurance

eHealthInsurance, the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses, today, released a 10-point checklist to help employees make informed decisions about health insurance during the traditional annual open enrollment period.

1 Oct 2009

Health care should be made secure and affordable to all: Speaker Pelosi

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairman John Dingell, and Congressman Martin Heinrich joined advocates on behalf of America's seniors for a press conference this afternoon in the Capitol to discuss the benefits of the health insurance reform legislation to senior citizens.

1 Oct 2009

US employers form buying groups to keep health insurance premiums at a manageable level

While Congress debates the many aspects of health care reform, one means of reducing insurance costs already helps many US employers keep health insurance premiums at a manageable level.

1 Oct 2009

Senate Committee rejects public insurance option

The Senate Finance Committee voted down Tuesday two amendments to include a public options for health insurance coverage in health care reform.

1 Oct 2009

Consumer Watchdog urges Democrats to to support a robust public option in health insurance reform

Consumer Watchdog today called on Congressional Democrats to support a robust public option and rate regulation as a part of any health insurance reform.

1 Oct 2009

HHS announces grants to help them find eligible uninsured children for Medicaid or CHIP

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $40 million in grants to 69 grantees in 41 states and the District of Columbia to help them find and enroll children who are uninsured but eligible for either Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

1 Oct 2009

Americans show significant interest in healthcare issues

The Keller Fay Group (www.kellerfay.com) today announced study results indicating that daily U.S. conversation during the summer months focused significantly on the topics of health insurance and the healthcare system, reflecting a dramatic shift since April of this year.

1 Oct 2009

Health Insurance News and Research

Last finance hurdle: how to pay for overhaul

House Democratic leaders work to bridge divisions in ranks

For American majority - those confused about health reform - a fresh wave of primers

Doctors can be frustrated, confused by health care system

Capitol Hill personalities play a key role in how health bills are taking shape

Baucus: Complete committee action on health bill 'by nightfall'

The HealthWell Foundation 's panel discussion draws attention on growing crisis of the underinsured

Majority of people don't feel they have a voice in debate over health care: Poll results

CVS Caremark to offer vouchers worth $3 million for free seasonal flu shots

Health information technology can improve health care for Americans living in rural communities

First Edition: October 1, 2009

HHS awards $7.6M to help states recruit new health care professionals for shortage areas

57% of Americans believe that tackling health care reform is more important than ever: Kaiser poll

10-point checklist from eHealthInsurance

Health care should be made secure and affordable to all: Speaker Pelosi

US employers form buying groups to keep health insurance premiums at a manageable level

Senate Committee rejects public insurance option

Consumer Watchdog urges Democrats to to support a robust public option in health insurance reform

HHS announces grants to help them find eligible uninsured children for Medicaid or CHIP

Americans show significant interest in healthcare issues

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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