House Democratic Leaders Work To Bridge Divisions In Ranks

Report: House Health Reform Bill Will Greatly Improve Health Care In Louisiana For Families, Seniors, Businesses, And Children October 2, 2009 at 4:00 pm An historic piece of legislation, awaiting a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, would dramatically improve health care for the people of Louisiana. A report from Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, details how the bill will make health insurance more affordable and will eliminate insurance industry abuses that affect both the quality and availability of health insurance. Report: House Health Reform Bill Will Greatly Improve Health Care In Connecticut For Families, Seniors, Businesses, And Children October 2, 2009 at 12:00 pm An historic piece of legislation, awaiting a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, would dramatically improve health care for the people of Connecticut. A report from Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, details how the bill will make health insurance more affordable and will eliminate insurance industry abuses that affect both the quality and availability of health insurance. Column: The Public Option Contradiction October 2, 2009 at 8:00 am Kaiser Health News Columnist James Capretta writes "President Barack Obama continues to send conflicting signals on standing up a new, government-run insurance option for working age Americans. Last Finance Hurdle: How To Pay For Overhaul October 2, 2009 at 8:00 am A final hurdle, how to pay for the health overhaul bill, remains, Bloomberg reports. The remaining items for the Senate Finance Committee are whether "to increase taxes on the most-expensive insurance plans, impose new fees on health-related industries, and limit the tax benefits of flexible savings accounts" (Donmoyer and Rowley, 10/1). House Democratic Leaders Work To Bridge Divisions In Ranks October 2, 2009 at 8:00 am Although much of the attention in the health care debate seems be on the Democratic divisions in the Senate, Democrats in the House are also split on what the next steps are. New Health Care Ads Hit The Airwaves October 2, 2009 at 8:00 am The onslaught of health care advertising continues, with new ads from MoveOn.org, Organizing for America, the medical industry and Americans United for Change. "The liberal activist group MoveOn.org is targeting three Democratic Finance Committee Senators over their opposition to the public insurance option, with radio ads set to air in the Members' home states beginning on Thursday," Roll Call reports. States Grapple With Budgets, Quality And Compliance; California Offers Cautionary Tale For Lawmakers October 2, 2009 at 8:00 am Though Massachusetts is the preferred health reform example of Democratic lawmakers, one report suggests they look to California, too. Meanwhile, states are grappling with quality, budgets and compliance issues. Kaiser Health News: Massachusetts' universal health insurance plan is an often-cited success story for health reformers in Washington. Editorial Says Restricting Abortion Coverage Under Health Reform Would Be 'Improper Government Intrusion' October 2, 2009 at 7:00 am "Critics of pending health care reforms claim they want to ensure that the government does not thrust itself between patients and doctors to dictate what medical procedures can be performed," but "many are trying to do just that when it comes to one legal and medically valid service: abortion," a New York Times editorial states. Analysis: Can What Killed California Health Reform Strike Again? October 2, 2009 at 7:00 am Kaiser Health News staff writer Jordan Rau reports on how California's health reform experiences may offer an object lesson at the national level. "When Congress began working on health care legislation earlier this year, Massachusetts' universal insurance plan was often cited by Democrats as a model to follow. Capitol Hill Personalities Play A Key Role In How Health Bills Are Taking Shape October 2, 2009 at 7:00 am A number of news organizations are detailing the conflicts and positions of certain lawmakers in the ongoing health overhaul effort. Senators' egos are part of the mix, Fact Check: Canadian Vs. U.S. Systems; AARP Claims October 2, 2009 at 7:00 am The Associated Press examines rhetoric and reality in the case of a Canadian who came to the U.S. for health care. The AP reports: "Shona Holmes is the Harry and Louise of this year's health care debate, only unlike the fictional folks who memorably trashed the Clinton-era health plan in advocacy ads 15 years ago, Holmes is real. Report: House Health Reform Bill Will Greatly Improve Health Care In North Carolina For Families, Seniors, Businesses, And Children October 2, 2009 at 7:00 am An historic piece of legislation, awaiting a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, would dramatically improve health care for the people of North Carolina. A report from Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, details how the bill will make health insurance more affordable and will eliminate insurance industry abuses that affect both the quality and availability of health insurance. Senate Finance Comm. Rejects Abortion Coverage Restrictions; House Abortion Debate Continues October 2, 2009 at 6:00 am The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday voted 10-13 to defeat an amendment by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) that said no money included in the panel's draft health reform Slate Columnist Saletan Claims Arguments For Abortion Coverage Are Anti-Health Reform October 2, 2009 at 6:00 am Abortion-rights advocacy groups are "up in arms" over efforts in the Senate and House to tighten restrictions on federal funding for abortion coverage under health care reform, Slate columnist William Saletan writes. Health Care Reform Bill In Finance Committee Could Be Finalized Friday October 2, 2009 at 6:00 am The Senate Finance Committee is preparing to finalize a health bill while Democratic leaders are signaling that floor consideration will follow quickly. The Associated Press/The Boston Globe: "'We're coming to closure,' said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. Senate Finance Members Consider Amendment That Would Require Lawmakers 'To Walk The Walk' Regarding Reform Proposals October 2, 2009 at 6:00 am Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, proposed an amendment Tuesday night that other Finance Committee senators couldn't refuse: To force lawmakers to buy insurance coverage on an "exchange" proposed in the reform bills, rather than accept coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, CQ Politics reports. For Those Confused About Health Reform - A Fresh Wave Of Primers October 2, 2009 at 6:00 am For those still confused about the various health reform bills - six in ten are confused, and half say they don't know enough to form an opinion, the New York Times reports - news organizations offer a series of primers on key bills and provisions today. Teens With Chronic Diseases Often Have Expensive, Uncertain Coverage October 2, 2009 at 6:00 am ABC News profiles teens living with chronic diseases, and examines their insurance coverage and the cost of such care. The article notes: "Chronic diseases affect 1 in 10 Americans and are the leading cause of disability, accounting for 70 percent of all deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are also expensive. Doctors Can Be Frustrated, Confused By Health Care System October 2, 2009 at 6:00 am Some doctors feel frustrated by insurance paperwork while many recent medical school graduates say they are confused by the structure of the health care system. CNN reports: "Consumers' frustrations with health insurance paperwork are well-known. But it's also a frustrating tangle for doctors and their staffs. Today's Opinions And Editorials October 2, 2009 at 6:00 am Abortion And Health Care Reform The New York Times In a rational system of medical care, there would be virtually no restrictions on financing abortions.