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Rep. Walberg touts market-based health care legislation in Washington Times op-ed

The "one-size-fits-all, Washington-based approach" to overhauling the U.S. health care system "is wrong" and, instead, reform should focus on providing a "patient-centered health care system that gives consumers direct control and choice over their health care decisions," Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) writes in a Washington Times opinion piece.

3 Jun 2008

CMS launches campaign to enroll more low-income Medicare beneficiaries in prescription drug assistance program

CMS launched a $12 million outreach campaign last month to encourage low-income Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in the prescription drug assistance program, CongressDaily reports.

2 Jun 2008

Arizona Republic examines health insurance policy rescissions

The Arizona Republic on Friday examined how the practice of health insurers rescinding and canceling the health care policies of beneficiaries has been "scrutinized from California to Connecticut with some states passing tough measures or pursuing regulatory actions and assessing fines to restrict these retroactive health policy voids."

2 Jun 2008

Lawmakers seek to revive legislation that would eliminate COBRA coverage limits

Reps. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) are pushing to revive legislation (HR 2047) proposed last year that would allow people to pay for health coverage from their former employers until they qualify for Medicare at age 65, the Chicago Sun Times reports.

2 Jun 2008

Some women who have had Caesarean sections have difficulty obtaining private health coverage

Some insurers are denying individual coverage to women who have given birth via caesarean section because they are likely to undergo the procedure again, the New York Times reports. According to the Times, a c-section on average costs about $2,700 more than a vaginal birth.

2 Jun 2008

13.7 million young adults in the United States lack health insurance coverage

The number of uninsured young adults in the United States rose to 13.7 million in 2006-an increase from 13.3 million in 2005-making the 19-to-29 age group one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of the population without health insurance. According to a newly updated report from The Commonwealth Fund, 38 percent of high school graduates who do not attend college and 34 percent of college graduates will spend some time uninsured in the year after graduation.

1 Jun 2008

Maine Democratic Rep. Allen proposes mix of public, private health plans to achieve universal coverage

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Maine) on Wednesday announced a health care proposal that would aim to provide health coverage for all U.S. residents using a combination of public and private plans, the Portland Press Herald reports. Allen is running against sitting Sen. Susan Collins (R).

30 May 2008

Sen. Kennedy to introduce bill to revise national cancer act

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who recently was diagnosed with brain cancer, previously had begun work on legislation that would revise the 1971 National Cancer Act, and supporters hope that the "fact that Kennedy has fallen victim to this disease will generate public support and lend new urgency to the need to update the bill," the AP/Chicago Tribune reports.

30 May 2008

Maine Democratic Rep. Allen proposes mix of public, private health plans to achieve universal coverage

30 May 2008

South Carolina House fails to override veto of cigarette tax increase that would have funded health care programs

The South Carolina House on Tuesday failed to override Gov. Mark Sanford's (R) veto of legislation that would have increased the state cigarette tax to expand health care coverage for low-income residents, the Columbia State reports (O'Connor, Columbia State, 5/28).

30 May 2008

Bilateral cochlear implants: A case when two are definitely superior to one

A study of cochlear implant patients seen by Indiana University School of Medicine physicians is the first research to show evidence that cochlear implants in both ears significantly improves quality of life in patients with profound hearing loss and that the cost of the second implant is offset by its benefits.

30 May 2008

New Kaiser Daily health blog watch

While mainstream news coverage is still a primary source of information for the latest in policy debates and the health care marketplace, online blogs have become a significant part of the media landscape, often presenting new perspectives on policy issues and drawing attention to under-reported topics.

28 May 2008

States that rank high in measures of children's health tend to have lower rates of uninsured children, higher health costs

Children in states with higher rates of insured children are more likely to receive higher-quality health care, according to a Commonwealth Fund study released Wednesday, McClatchy/Kansas City Star reports.

28 May 2008

AARP to work with Hollywood to include health care issues in viewing

AARP's Divided We Fail campaign will work with more than 500 Hollywood writers and producers to include messages about health care in the story lines of popular television shows and movies, the groups planned to announce Wednesday, USA Today reports.

28 May 2008

Many men with androgen deficiency do not receive treatment

The majority of men with androgen deficiency may not be receiving treatment despite having sufficient access to care, according to a report in the May 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

26 May 2008

Florida Governor signs health care bill that allows insurers to sell bare-bones health plans

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) on Wednesday signed into law a bill that will allow the sale of low-cost, bare-bones health insurance policies, the New York Times reports (Sack, New York Times, 5/22).

25 May 2008

Massachusetts Medical Society sues group insurance commission over physician rankings

The Massachusetts Medical Society on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the state's Group Insurance Commission, which purchases health insurance for most state employees and retirees, over its physician ranking system, the AP/Boston Herald reports (AP/Boston Herald, 5/21).

25 May 2008

Pharmaceutical, medical device industries have shifted campaign contributions to Democratic candidates

Pharmaceutical and medical device companies have contributed more to the campaigns of Democratic candidates than Republican candidates in the current election cycle, a "sharp reversal" from previous cycles and "one more sign of the campaign difficulties the GOP could face this November," the AP/Miami Herald reports.

22 May 2008

Senate Finance Committee Democrats to move forward with Medicare package that includes Medicare Advantage plan cuts

Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on Wednesday said he will move forward with a Medicare package developed by Democrats that likely will be opposed by Republicans and the Bush administration, CQ Today reports.

22 May 2008

Insurers urge Gov. Rell to veto legislation that would expand state employee health insurance pool

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell (R) on Monday released letters from two insurance companies that raised concerns about the cost of legislation that would allow workers at small businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit groups to join the state employee health insurance pool, the Hartford Courant reports.

21 May 2008

Health Insurance News and Research

Rep. Walberg touts market-based health care legislation in Washington Times op-ed

CMS launches campaign to enroll more low-income Medicare beneficiaries in prescription drug assistance program

Arizona Republic examines health insurance policy rescissions

Lawmakers seek to revive legislation that would eliminate COBRA coverage limits

Some women who have had Caesarean sections have difficulty obtaining private health coverage

13.7 million young adults in the United States lack health insurance coverage

Maine Democratic Rep. Allen proposes mix of public, private health plans to achieve universal coverage

Sen. Kennedy to introduce bill to revise national cancer act

Maine Democratic Rep. Allen proposes mix of public, private health plans to achieve universal coverage

South Carolina House fails to override veto of cigarette tax increase that would have funded health care programs

Bilateral cochlear implants: A case when two are definitely superior to one

New Kaiser Daily health blog watch

States that rank high in measures of children's health tend to have lower rates of uninsured children, higher health costs

AARP to work with Hollywood to include health care issues in viewing

Many men with androgen deficiency do not receive treatment

Florida Governor signs health care bill that allows insurers to sell bare-bones health plans

Massachusetts Medical Society sues group insurance commission over physician rankings

Pharmaceutical, medical device industries have shifted campaign contributions to Democratic candidates

Senate Finance Committee Democrats to move forward with Medicare package that includes Medicare Advantage plan cuts

Insurers urge Gov. Rell to veto legislation that would expand state employee health insurance pool

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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