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Pennsylvania House approves bill allowing young adults to remain on parents' health insurance policies up to age 29

The Pennsylvania House last week voted to approve a bill that allows state residents up to age 29 to be added to or remain on their parents' health insurance plans as long as they live in the state or are full-time students, the Harrisburg Patriot-News reports. They also must be single and not have dependents.

19 May 2009

Hospital room design can have effect on patient care, outcomes, studies show

Hospital room design can help reduce medical errors, infections and falls, as well as patient stress, according to results emerging from more than 1,500 studies, the New York Times reports.

19 May 2009

Waits to see specialists in Boston increased to average of 50 days, study finds

The average time patients in Boston wait for an appointment to see a specialist has increased over the last five years to an average of 50 days and can be up to one year, despite the fact that the city has an "abundance" of specialists, according to a recent study, the Boston Globe reports.

19 May 2009

Senate Finance Committee releases policy paper describing options to pay for health overhaul

Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Monday released a 41-page document outlining policy options for financing health care reform, The Hill reports (Young, The Hill, 5/18).

19 May 2009

Industry groups reiterate commitment to reduce health spending growth

The six industry groups that pledged to reduce health care spending growth by $2 trillion over 10 years on Friday issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to work toward the goal, Roll Call reports (Murray, Roll Call, 5/15).

18 May 2009

Many low-income women breast cancer patients skipping hormonal therapy, lowering their survival rates

Many low-income women are failing to take the hormonal therapy prescribed as part of their breast cancer treatment, possibly lowering their survival rates, according to a study led by a researcher in the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.

18 May 2009

Recession is contributing to a decline in overall family health in the Hispanic community

The economic downturn is contributing to a decline in overall family health in the Hispanic community, with parents prioritizing their children's health over their own. While 44 percent of Hispanics consider it equally important for parents to take care of their own health and the health of their children, significantly more parents say the economic downturn has affected their own health and wellness compared to that of their children (69 percent vs. 59 percent).

18 May 2009

What is the formula for sustainable healthcare reform?

A new report, released today by the Manhattan Institute's Center for Medical Progress and authored Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the former Director of the Congressional Budget Office, makes the fiscal and political case for bipartisan healthcare reform.

18 May 2009

Insured immigrants have lower medical costs than U.S.-born citizens, study finds

Insured immigrants have lower medical expenses than insured U.S.-born citizens after taking into account their health status and other characteristics, according to a study released on Thursday and published in the American Journal of Public Health, Reuters Health reports.

15 May 2009

Chicago Tribune examines use of urgent care centers

More people have begun using urgent care centers as a means of avoiding waiting for care in emergency departments or for a doctor's appointment, the Chicago Tribune reports.

15 May 2009

General Motors, United Auto Workers nearing deal to use company stock for half of VEBA obligation, sources say

General Motors and the United Auto Workers are close to finalizing a deal that would reduce the automaker's cash obligation to a retiree health care trust fund, according to people with knowledge of the matter, the Wall Street Journal reports.

15 May 2009

Senate Finance Committee holds second closed-door meeting on health care reform; details of House Energy and Commerce Committee overhaul plan leaked

The Senate Finance Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday both worked on health care proposals aimed at overhauling the U.S. health care system, CQ Today reports.

15 May 2009

Obama campaign contributors being asked to donate to effort supporting health care reform

The Washington Times on Friday examined how President Obama's "former campaign apparatus is cranking up a full-tilt drive for passage of a health care overhaul this year" by "tapping his 13-million-strong e-mail list" for financial contributions to fund advertising efforts, hire staff and open election-style offices.

15 May 2009

Industry groups say White House overstated pledge to reduce health spending growth

Groups representing hospitals and insurers on Thursday said that President Obama considerably overstated their pledge to rein in health care spending, the New York Times reports.

15 May 2009

New Jersey Senator proposes plan to avert HIV/AIDS drug copayments

New Jersey state Sen. Joseph Vitale (D) -- chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee -- earlier this week proposed a plan to temporarily reduce rebate checks to senior citizens earning $100,000 to $150,000 in an effort to alleviate the effects of possible budget cuts on certain populations, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. Vitale's proposal also would avert planned $6 to $15 prescription drug copayments for people living with HIV/AIDS in the state (Livio, Newark Star-Ledger, 5/12).

15 May 2009

Editorial says, Obama is “right to push for health care reform”

President Obama is "right to push for [health care] reform now, despite calls to postpone efforts solely on the economic recovery," a Philadelphia Inquirer editorial states.

14 May 2009

Senate Finance Committee to discuss public plan options; House Energy and Commerce Committee discusses state, regional plans

The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday will meet to discuss the inclusion of a public insurance plan in its health care reform legislation, the Des Moines Register reports (Beaumont, Des Moines Register, 5/14). Supporters of the public plan say it would allow middle-income workers a choice between their employer coverage and coverage offered by the government. The insurance industry and Republican lawmakers oppose such a plan.

14 May 2009

Two New York State health agencies launch series of projects that seek to reduce racial health disparities

The Perinatal Network of Monroe County and the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency in New York state on Friday will unveil a series of 13 initiatives that aim to reduce racial health disparities, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.

13 May 2009

Texas Democrats trying to pass Medicaid enrollment extension before June 1 deadline

Democrats in the Texas House on Monday called on lawmakers to prioritize consideration of a Medicaid bill (HB 1541) that would extend the enrollment period for children's coverage through the program, the AP/Dallas Morning News reports. The legislative session ends June 1.

13 May 2009

Senate Finance Committee weighs proposal to tax employer health benefits, other plans to pay for health reform

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday heard arguments for taxing employer-sponsored health care benefits as a means for funding a comprehensive health care overhaul, the Wall Street Journal reports.

13 May 2009

Health Insurance News and Research

Pennsylvania House approves bill allowing young adults to remain on parents' health insurance policies up to age 29

Hospital room design can have effect on patient care, outcomes, studies show

Waits to see specialists in Boston increased to average of 50 days, study finds

Senate Finance Committee releases policy paper describing options to pay for health overhaul

Industry groups reiterate commitment to reduce health spending growth

Many low-income women breast cancer patients skipping hormonal therapy, lowering their survival rates

Recession is contributing to a decline in overall family health in the Hispanic community

What is the formula for sustainable healthcare reform?

Insured immigrants have lower medical costs than U.S.-born citizens, study finds

Chicago Tribune examines use of urgent care centers

General Motors, United Auto Workers nearing deal to use company stock for half of VEBA obligation, sources say

Senate Finance Committee holds second closed-door meeting on health care reform; details of House Energy and Commerce Committee overhaul plan leaked

Obama campaign contributors being asked to donate to effort supporting health care reform

Industry groups say White House overstated pledge to reduce health spending growth

New Jersey Senator proposes plan to avert HIV/AIDS drug copayments

Editorial says, Obama is “right to push for health care reform”

Senate Finance Committee to discuss public plan options; House Energy and Commerce Committee discusses state, regional plans

Two New York State health agencies launch series of projects that seek to reduce racial health disparities

Texas Democrats trying to pass Medicaid enrollment extension before June 1 deadline

Senate Finance Committee weighs proposal to tax employer health benefits, other plans to pay for health reform

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

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