Domestic Abuse Victims Struggle With Another Blow: Difficulty Getting Health Insurance

While Some Votes Are Still In Play, Other Lawmakers Vie For Audience With Reid October 8, 2009 at 9:00 am Members are fighting for a seat at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's table as he merges the Senate's two versions of health legislation in order to bring the measure to the floor. Politico: "Reid's guest list will be an exclusive one. Reid has decided to keep the group intimate, limiting entree to Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.); Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn. Congress May Address Health Coverage Discrimination Against Women, Domestic Violence Victims October 8, 2009 at 9:00 am The health bills pending in Congress may end the practice of insurance rates based on gender and denials based on a history of domestic abuse. The health bills being considered in Congress may end "the practice of health insurance rates based on gender and maternity care," McClatchy Newspapers/The Miami Herald reports. Dutch Provide Lessons On Health Reform, While Europe's Highest Court Rules For Drug Maker October 8, 2009 at 9:00 am In a series about the health care systems in five countries, the NewsHour examines the Netherlands and its massive health care overhaul. "When the Netherlands redesigned its national health care system in 2006, there were three main goals: continue universal coverage, unleash competition between private insurers, and keep down costs for the long run. Out-Of-Beltway Republicans Answer Obama's Call October 8, 2009 at 8:00 am The Obama administration can add California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to his Republican chorus of health care supporters, the New York Times reports. "In lining up Republicans to support legislative action on health care this year, the White House is using a strategy similar to one it employed during debate over the economic stimulus plan earlier this year. White House Courts GOP Endorsements To Demonstrate Bipartisanship In Health Reform October 8, 2009 at 8:00 am Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) on Tuesday joined a growing list of Republicans outside of Washington, D.C., who have publicly endorsed President Obama's mission to reform health care this year, Reuters reports (Zengerle, Reuters, 10/6). According to the Senate Finance Health Reform Bill Still Facing Challenges From Committee Democrats October 8, 2009 at 8:00 am Chairman Max Baucus is trying to hold his own party together on the health reform package soon to be considered by the Senate Finance Committee even as the impact on the deficit and taxes make some Democrats question the measure. Sebelius Defends Policy On Insurers' Politically Oriented Letters October 8, 2009 at 8:00 am Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius defends a government memo telling insurers to stop sending letters to seniors about the effects of health reform legislation on Medicare Advantage programs. Modern Healthcare reports: "In a letter sent to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky. Falling Public Support For Health-Care Reform Can Be Turned Around October 8, 2009 at 8:00 am Survey results published this week in the journal Health Affairs show that while only 27 percent of adults currently support the U.S. Senate Finance Committee's proposed healthcare legislation, an amended bill could gain the majority's favor. The poll was created and commissioned by S. Ward Casscells, M.D. Insured African-Americans More Likely To Use Emergency Room Than Other Insured Groups October 8, 2009 at 8:00 am Health insurance, and the access it provides to a primary care physician, should reduce the use of a major driver of health care costs: the emergency room. Yet in a policy brief released today by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, researchers found that in California, privately insured African Americans enrolled in HMOs are far more likely to use the ER and to delay getting needed prescription drugs than HMO-insured members of other racial and ethnic groups. Health Reform Proposals Include Several Changes To Improve Women's Coverage October 8, 2009 at 7:00 am Health care reform legislation under consideration in Congress "would dramatically change the rules" on how health insurance covers women, McClatchy/Contra Costa Times reports. In the current insurance market, women typically are charged more for coverage because they tend to use more preventive care. Finance Panel Vote Delayed; Members Await New CBO Estimates October 8, 2009 at 7:00 am Senate Finance Committee Republicans and Democratic moderates are asking for more time to consider their vote on the health overhaul proposal, once the Congressional Budget Office "scores" the bill. CongressDaily: "Finance Chairman Max Baucus expects to get CBO scores soon, possibly today, on his committee's proposal. As House Begins New Push For Reform, Taxes On 'Cadillac' Plans Trigger Democrats' Opposition October 8, 2009 at 7:00 am More than half of the House's Democrats Tuesday signed a letter expressing opposition to a key element of the Senate Finance Committee's health overhaul -- the proposal to tax expensive health insurance plans. Workplace Wellness Programs: Good For Health Costs? October 8, 2009 at 7:00 am Some companies offer discounts to healthy employees, but patient advocates fear such wellness programs could be unfair. NPR's Renee Montagne interviews Safeway Inc. CEO Steve Burd, who "says employees receive a discount on their health insurance if their body mass index is below 30, the number over which people are considered obese. Pending Legislation Increases States' Role In Health Reform October 8, 2009 at 7:00 am TIME reports that states "could have a surprising degree of autonomy in determining how they implement" federal health reforms. "Though most everyone recognizes that the federal government can't impose a rigid approach, some critics say that the crucial version of legislation expected to pass Senator Max Baucus' Finance Committee in the next week ... may go too far in the other direction. Religious Groups Speak Out On Health Reform October 8, 2009 at 6:00 am Several religious organizations have waded into the health reform debate, saying they feel it necessary to represent their members' views in the legislation, Roll Call reports. For the 16-million-member Southern Baptist Convention, the main focus has been funding of abortion coverage. "We have something that's affecting every American; we had no choice but to address it," Richard Land, an ethics adviser with SBC, said. Domestic Abuse Victims Struggle With Another Blow: Difficulty Getting Health Insurance October 8, 2009 at 6:00 am Kaiser Health News reporter Jenny Gold details the difficulties faced by domestic abuse victims in getting health insurance. "In 2006, attorney Jody Neal-Post tried to get health insurance but was rejected because of treatment -- counseling and Valium -- she received following a domestic-abuse incident. Pelosi Emphasizes Health Reform's Benefits For Women In Capitol Hill Rally October 8, 2009 at 5:00 am As the House prepares for floor debate on its health reform bill (HR 3200), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday touted the legislation's benefits for women at a Capitol Hill press conference with the Feminist Majority Foundation and a few female members of Congress, CQ HealthBeat reports (Norman, CQ HealthBeat, 10/6). AMA Backs Call For National Disability Insurance Scheme, Australia October 8, 2009 at 12:00 am AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today the AMA fully supports the call by Australia's disability and community sector for a National Disability Insurance Scheme. The call was made at the National Press Club by Dr Rhonda Galbally, Patron of the National Disability and Carer Alliance and Chair of the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council, on behalf of a broad coalition of supporters.