First Edition: September 30, 2010

In today's news, McDonald's may stop providing employee health benefits unless a new health law requirement is waived.

KHN Column: The NAIC's Effort To Find Balance In Its Medical Loss Ratio Regulation
In his latest Kaiser Health News column, Timothy Jost writes that the development of this draft rule is not a contest with winners and losers, but an effort to create a framework to press insurers to spend less money on bureaucracy and more on health care in a way that benefits consumers and keeps insurance markets viable (Kaiser Health News).

Lawsuits To Undo Key Parts Of Health-Care Law Move Forward, So Far
Although the individual mandate doesn't kick in until 2014, legal challenges to the mandate have been met with some sympathy in court. As these cases move forward, it's worth taking another look at the suits (The Christian Science Monitor).

Patients Choices May Narrow As Insurers Adjust Standards For Healthcare Providers
The new federal healthcare law is bringing additional demands by insurance companies that doctors and hospitals be held to higher quality standards (Los Angeles Times). 

McDonald's May Drop Health Plan
McDonald's Corp. has warned federal regulators that it could drop its health insurance plan for nearly 30,000 hourly restaurant workers unless regulators waive a new requirement of the U.S. health overhaul (The Wall Street Journal).

McDonald's Says It May Drop Healthcare Benefits
McDonald's Corp. may cut health insurance for nearly 30,000 hourly workers in the U.S. unless federal regulators waive a requirement of the new healthcare law (Los Angeles Times). 

House Approves Health Coverage For 9/11 Emergency Workers
The House on Wednesday passed legislation to cover the healthcare costs for rescue workers sickened by the toxins stirred up during the 9/11 attacks on New York (The Hill's Healthwatch).

House Passes 9/11 Health Bill
After years of delays and months of political gamesmanship, House lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday to create a long-term health-care program for Ground Zero workers and re-open a government fund for those now sick or dying (The Wall Street Journal).

And They're Out! Congress Flees Unfinished Business, Partisan Sniping, For Campaign Trail
Majority Democrats facing significant losses in the wake of unpopular bills to stimulate the economy and overhaul the nation's health care laws sought to do their party no further harm on Capitol Hill (The Associated Press/Los Angeles Times).

NY Dems Use Abortion To Mobilize Base Against GOP
Legal for 40 years with little likelihood of changing soon, abortion has again become a litmus test in New York politics as top-of-the-ticket candidates from both parties aim to energize the voters who comprise their base (The Wall Street Journal).