10/23 Health Insurance / Medical Insurance News From Medical News Today

Please add updates@feedmyinbox.com to your address book to make sure you receive these messages in the future. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance News From Medical News Today Senate Democrats Continue Pursuit Of Insurers' Antitrust Exemption October 22, 2009 at 8:00 am "Top Senate Democrats intend to try to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws, according to congressional officials, the latest evidence of a deepening struggle over President Barack Obama's effort to overhaul the health care industry," the Associated Press/Boston Globe reports. Poll: Rising Concern Over Cost, Quality Of Reformed Health System October 22, 2009 at 8:00 am A new poll shows rising concern about how health reform would affect the cost and quality of care. "Americans are increasingly worried about the cost and quality of medical care that could result from President Obama's effort to revamp health care, but a majority still trust him more than Republicans to change the system, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows," Obama's Success On Reform Hinges On Health Care Team Of 6 October 22, 2009 at 8:00 am "President Obama's overhaul hinges on six crucial individuals and their skill at negotiating behind closed doors," The Los Angeles Times reports. "The core group consists of Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, legislative affairs director Phil Schiliro, communications expert Dan Pfeiffer, (Peter) Orszag, (Jim) Messina and Nancy-Ann DeParle. Small Businesses Could Benefit From Insurance Exchanges October 22, 2009 at 8:00 am Supporters of health reform legislation told a Senate subcommittee Tuesday that the insurance exchanges are critical for small businesses, which pay more than large companies to cover their employees and are cutting jobs and insurance coverage to control costs. The Insurers' Stocks Bruised By Reform Efforts Despite Earnings October 22, 2009 at 8:00 am Despite strong performance on earnings sheets, stocks for companies like UnitedHealth Group have faltered amid uncertainty about the future shape of American health care, BusinessWeek reports. The flagging stocks don't reflect "the firms' profits, sales, or anything specific to UnitedHealth or its competitors. Omnibus Package Likely Needed To Wrap Up FY 2010 Spending Bills, Senate Appropriations Chair Says October 22, 2009 at 7:00 am Congress will likely have to use a multi-bill package to complete this year's appropriations work, as the Senate will not have time to individually consider the five remaining fiscal year 2010 spending bills by the end of 2009, according to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), CQ Today reports. Harry Reid Faces Public Option Dilemma October 22, 2009 at 7:00 am The Washington Post: "Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid is facing intensifying pressure from liberal lawmakers to revive a proposed government insurance plan before health-care reform legislation reaches the Senate floor, amid signs that moderate Democrats may be warming to the idea. Health Reform Bills Maintain Some Type Of Insurance 'Age Rating' October 22, 2009 at 7:00 am Insurance company "age rating" is likely to continue under proposed health care legislation. "The older you are, the more you usually pay for health coverage, and that's a difference likely to persist under the sweeping health care legislation that Congress is now considering," McClatchy reports. Explainers And Studies On Health Insurance October 22, 2009 at 7:00 am Several news outlets seek to explain some of the unique aspects of U.S. health insurance. The Associated Press examines why the United States is "the only wealthy industrialized nation that does not have universal health coverage." The U.S. Pharmaceutical Company Coupons To Help Patients Buy Drugs May Raise Insurance Premiums October 22, 2009 at 7:00 am Drug companies use coupons to get patients to choose name-brand products -- which are often more expensive -- by subsidizing a patient's high copay. The practice hides a drug's true costs from consumers. Today's Selection Of Opinions And Editorials October 22, 2009 at 7:00 am Snowe's Party Of One The Washington Post "Snowe has taken a beating in the conservative media as part of the "turncoat caucus" and for being a RINO -- Republican in Name Only" (Michael Gerson, 10/21). Pelosi To Include Public Option In House Health Reform Bill; Obama Touts Reform At DNC Speech October 22, 2009 at 6:00 am House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) plans to include a "robust" public option in the chamber's final health care reform bill after a new Congressional Budget Office score released Tuesday shows that a bill that includes a robust public option will cost about $871 billion over the next 10 years, meeting President Obama's target of $900 billion for overhaul legislation, the AP/MSNBC reports. House Lawmakers Laud New CBO Score Of $871 Billion, Including A Public Option October 22, 2009 at 6:00 am A government-run public insurance option is in the House Democrats' health overhaul measure which the Congressional Budget Office has "scored" at $871 billion over 10 years. The Washington Post: "The measure would include a government-run insurance plan that pays providers at rates tied to Medicare. ... Older Workers Spend Less On Necessities And Health Care October 22, 2009 at 3:00 am More older Americans are choosing to continue to work or are returning to the labor force. The number of workers age 65 and older is predicted to increase by more than 80 percent by 2016. In an ongoing study, University of Missouri researchers are examining the financial motivations of older working Americans. New results reveal that older workers spend less money on necessities, including housing and food, and health care than older non-workers.   This email was sent to zackmania84@gmail.com.  Create Your Account Don't want to receive this feed any longer? Unsubscribe here.