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U.S. immigration policy irrational when U.S.-born physicians in short supply

"Thanks to the nation's dysfunctional immigration system and the dysfunctional Congress that keeps it that way, tens of thousands of promising, intelligent, ambitious and highly skilled foreign professionals ... will be denied a chance to contribute their expertise and energy to the American economy," a Washington Post editorial states.

8 Jun 2008

Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report feature highlights recent blog entries

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.

8 Jun 2008

Study finds wide racial, geographic health care disparities among Medicare beneficiaries

Race and place of residence can have a significant effect on the quality of care a Medicare beneficiary receives, according to a report released Thursday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the New York Times reports.

8 Jun 2008

Building a healthy future for rural communities

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is tackling the shortage of rural doctors head on - and the approach is already paying dividends on the NSW Mid-North Coast.

8 Jun 2008

UNISON condemns proposed cuts to care home inspections

UNISON has warned that changes to the inspection regime for care homes will put the lives of elderly residents at risk.

8 Jun 2008

UNISON members say yes to NHS pay offer

UNISON members working in the NHS have voted to accept a multi-year pay offer worth more than 8%.

8 Jun 2008

New NHS guidelines on recreational drug use in nightclubs

New guidelines have been written which will assist nightclub staff in deciding whether to call ambulances for unwell clubbers. At present, there is a worry that inappropriate management has lead to clubbers only being referred to hospital after significant problems have occurred - leading to increased risk of injury and death.

5 Jun 2008

Majority of U.S. House supports repeal of Medicare therapy caps

With about one month to go before the current exceptions process for clinically based care above the Medicare therapy caps expires, a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives has endorsed legislation to repeal the arbitrary financial limit on therapy benefits.

5 Jun 2008

Independent presidential health panel proposed

Recent media attention given to Senator John McCain's health evaluations and speculations about the potential health risks associated with Senator Barack Obama's smoking history underscore the deep interest U.S. citizens have in the health status of their chief executive. A better understanding of presidential candidates' health is important as voters evaluate potential fitness for executing the 'highest office in the land.'

4 Jun 2008

ACLU urges Congress to maximize medical privacy of electronic health records

The American Civil Liberties Union urges the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health at today's hearing to develop privacy and security standards at the same time the health care industry converts from paper to electronic patient records.

4 Jun 2008

UNISON rejects private management move for NHS

UNISON has rejected proposals for NHS hospitals to be run by private companies.

4 Jun 2008

New Filton Blood Centre to open in July

When the new Filton Blood Centre opens on 8th July, the National Blood Service will be pleased to name it a centre of excellence and the largest blood processing centre in the world.

4 Jun 2008

Tough action against underperforming hospitals and primary care trusts in UK

Health Minister Ben Bradshaw today set out new plans to drive up standards of care and tackle underperformance in our hospitals and primary care trusts.Tough action against underperforming hospitals and trusts

4 Jun 2008

Number of uninsured Massachusetts residents decreased by nearly half in 2007

The number of uninsured Massachusetts adults declined by nearly half last year, according to the first major study of the state's health insurance law published online Tuesday in Health Affairs, the New York Times reports (Sack, New York Times, 6/3).

3 Jun 2008

Health IT legislation stalled by privacy concerns

Legislation that would promote the adoption and standardization of health information technology is "knotted up" in Congress over privacy issues, CQ Today reports (Wayne, CQ Today, 6/2).

3 Jun 2008

Health insurer lobby releases plan to reduce U.S. health care costs by $145 billion

Officials from America's Health Insurance Plans have proposed a plan they estimate could reduce U.S. health care spending by $145 billion by 2015, The Politico reports. The group plans to present its findings to congressional committee chairs and ranking members and to hold a policy briefing.

3 Jun 2008

Finance Committee staffers meet with stakeholders about Medicare physician cuts

Democratic staffers for the Senate Finance Committee on Monday met with physician specialty groups to discuss a legislative package proposed by committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) that would halt a scheduled 10.6% cut to Medicare physicians' payments and institute a 0.5% increase in the payments for next year, CongressDaily reports.

3 Jun 2008

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

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

Senate Democrats to move forward with bill that would halt 10.6% Medicare physician payment cut despite veto threat

Despite a veto threat from the White House, Senate Democrats plan to move forward in the next two weeks with a bill (S 1951) that would reduce payments to Medicare Advantage plans to offset delaying a 10.6% cut to Medicare physicians' payments, CQ Today reports.

2 Jun 2008