| AHIP Statement On Government-Run Plan
October 27, 2009 at 6:00 pm
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| | America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released the following statement today from Karen Ignagni, President and CEO: "A new government-run plan would underpay doctors and hospitals rather than driving real reforms that bring down costs and improve quality. The American people want health care reform that will reduce costs and this plan doesn't do that. "The divisive debate about a government-run plan is a roadblock to reform. |
| Integrated Care's Drawback: It Could Lead To Health Monopolies
October 27, 2009 at 7:00 am
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| | President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders have repeatedly praised integrated health care for its ability to improve safety and quality while reducing costs, citing examples such as the Mayo Clinic. But health economists worry that such consolidation may actually increase costs and could lead to monopolies. The |
| Lobbying To 'Tweak' Health Reform Bills Heats Up
October 27, 2009 at 6:00 am
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| | "In Washington, there are two ways to wage legislative war: fight to kill and fight to tweak," the Washington Post reports. "With a growing sense that Democrats may have the votes to pass health-care reform, many participants are now attempting to shape the components of landmark legislation rather than to defeat it. |
| Health Care Legislation Benefits Insurers, But Annual Profits Are Not So Hot
October 27, 2009 at 6:00 am
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| | The health insurance industry is likely to benefit from a health care overhaul, but industry profits are not as high as many seem to believe. "As President Obama's push for a healthcare overhaul moves toward its final act, the oft-vilified health insurance industry is on the verge of seeing a plan enacted that largely protects its financial interests," |
| Health Care Bills Could Leave Millions Uninsured
October 27, 2009 at 6:00 am
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| | The cost of health insurance could hinder President Obama's goal of achieving universal coverage. "The high cost of health insurance premiums would continue to put coverage out of reach for millions even if Congress approves legislation President Obama says is intended to ensure 'that every American has affordable health care,'" USA Today reports. |
| Unions Worry About 'Cadillac' Tax On Expensive Health Insurance
October 27, 2009 at 6:00 am
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| | "Unions representing thousands of teachers and state and local government workers are bracing for the worst if Congress adopts a proposed 'Cadillac' tax on health insurance," Newsday reports. "The 40 percent levy on health care costs above $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for families passed the Senate Finance Committee on Oct. 13. |
| In The House, Democrats Opposed To Abortion Threaten Reform Bill
October 27, 2009 at 6:00 am
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| | Some House Democrats opposed to abortion are threatening to thwart health care reform legislation if it does not clearly steer away from funding abortions. |
| Small Businesses Face Higher Premiums, Push For Access To 'Exchanges'
October 27, 2009 at 6:00 am
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| | "As Congress nears votes on legislation that would overhaul the health care system, many small businesses say they are facing the steepest rise in insurance premiums they have seen in recent years," the New York Times reports. "The higher premiums at least partly reflect the inexorable rise of medical costs, which is forcing Medicare to raise premiums, too. |
| A Selection Of Today's Opinions And Editorials
October 27, 2009 at 6:00 am
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| | Aging In Place Is Not So Easy Kaiser Health News "Aging in Place" is the popular rallying cry in the senior community. But living at home is not so easy, either for the frail elderly or younger people with disabilities. Interestingly enough, the reasons may have more to do with social issues than medical concerns (Howard Gleckman, 10/26). |
| Report Shows Quality Of Health Care Unimproved In 2008, Chlamydia Testing Remains Low
October 27, 2009 at 5:00 am
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| | For the third year in a row in the U.S., the quality of commercial health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid programs has not improved, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance's 2009 report released on Thursday, CQ HealthBeat reports (Litvin, CQ HealthBeat, 10/22). |
| Fight Erupts Over Health Insurance Rates For Businesses Employing More Women
October 27, 2009 at 5:00 am
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| | Kaiser Health News staff writer Jenny Gold reports on issues related to using gender to set rates for large businesses. "Insurers say women under the age of 55 cost more to cover because they use more health services, and not just for maternal and infant care. |
| Senate Health Bill Could Come This Week, 'Compromise' Public Option Now Seems Likely
October 27, 2009 at 5:00 am
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| | Senate Democrats will need to move quickly if they want to pass some version of health overhaul legislation by the end of the year. The Associated Press: With "time growing short," Senate Democratic leaders "still face key decisions... |
| House Democratic Leaders Huddle On Public Insurance Option
October 27, 2009 at 5:00 am
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| | House Democratic leaders faced an impasse late last week as it became clear that a liberal version of the public option did not have enough support in the caucus. Roll Call reports that the House Democratic leadership huddled Friday to find a way to move forward - particularly on a public option and its inclusion in the House bill - but "ended without a decision. ... |
| Dodd And Lieberman: The Tale Of Two Connecticut Senators
October 27, 2009 at 5:00 am
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| | Roll Call reports that the two longtime Connecticut Senators, Democrat Chris Dodd and Independent Joe Lieberman, are at "near-opposite ends of a health care debate that amounts to Congress' biggest undertaking in a generation." The relationship between to the two lawmakers was strained in 2008, when Dodd ran for president, but Lieberman supported Republican John McCain. |
| Workers Face Tough Insurance Choices Amid Rising Premiums
October 27, 2009 at 5:00 am
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| | It's open-enrollment season, meaning large companies are offering workers a chance to change their health plans, but the choices are grim: The cost of premiums is rising even as benefits packages shrink, the Associated Press reports. "Workers and employers both are looking at higher health tabs for next year. | | | 
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