Senate Finance Committee Delays Health Reform Vote, Awaits Costs Estimates

On Their Own, Self-Employed Search For Health Care October 7, 2009 at 9:00 am As part of the ongoing series "Are You Covered?" by NPR and Kaiser Health News, NPR's David Schaper reports on Cindy Richards and her husband Scott Fisher, both from Oak Park, Ill. Richards is a freelance writer and editor who buys health insurance to cover herself and her family (10/6). Insurers Push Back Against The Finance Committee's Softened Individual Mandate Penalties October 7, 2009 at 9:00 am Hospitals and insurance companies are not happy with amendments to the Senate Finance Committee's health bill that softened penalties on individuals who don't comply with the mandate to purchase insurance. The Wall Street Journal: "The Senate Finance Committee could vote late this week on a sweeping bill designed to expand health-insurance coverage. Balancing Costs, Quality A Difficult Task Both In Congress And Practice October 7, 2009 at 9:00 am Democratic lawmakers hope to keep costs for health coverage down while, at the same time, improving benefits packages, a pair of sometimes-conflicting goals that boils down to an effort to get more for less, the New York Times reports. Democrats want to guarantee access to affordable policies for everyone by requiring insurers to accept all comers at the same rate, and subsidizing people with lower incomes. White House Hosts White-Coated Doctors For Health Reform Pitch October 7, 2009 at 9:00 am President Obama spoke to a group of doctors in the Rose Garden Monday, the Associated Press reports. "[N]obody has more credibility with the American people on this issue than you do," he said (Babington, 10/5). Supreme Court Asks Obama's Opinion On San Francisco's Health Care Law October 7, 2009 at 9:00 am "The U.S. Supreme Court delayed action Monday on employer fees in San Francisco's groundbreaking health care program and instead sought advice from the Obama administration, even as the president struggles to overhaul health coverage nationwide," The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Minorities Support Reform Ad Campaign, Although Immigrants May Get Little Relief From Legislation October 7, 2009 at 9:00 am Analysts suggest that health reform legislation may do little to help Hispanics -- many of whom could remain uninsured due to immigration restrictions and costs -- as well as other immigrants. Meanwhile, African-American and Hispanic groups unite with an advertising campaign to push for health care reform. The Santorum Tells Antiabortion-Rights Advocates That Health Reform Would Expand Abortion Coverage October 7, 2009 at 8:00 am Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), reportedly a prospective 2012 presidential candidate, in a speech last week to Iowa Right to Life called the congressional health reform debate "ground zero" in efforts to restrict abortion rights, the Des Moines Register reports. Senate Finance Committee Vote Delayed October 7, 2009 at 8:00 am The Senate Finance Committee will delay its vote on health care reform - and, likely the bill's move to the Senate floor - as members await cost estimates by the Congressional Budget Office. The Washington Post: "The Senate Finance Committee wrapped up work Friday on a reform bill, but committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont. Examining The Recent Winners And Losers In The Health Reform Debate October 7, 2009 at 8:00 am The health overhaul debate has, so far, produced winners and losers. Bloomberg: "Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drugmaker, and hospital companies including Community Health Systems Inc. are benefiting from agreements with President Barack Obama that will limit any threat to their profits. Obama Seeks 'Broadest Coalition Possible' October 7, 2009 at 8:00 am In an effort to assemble "the broadest coalition possible" in its push for health reform, the administration has ventured outside the beltway, the New York Times reports. Three high-profile Republicans have gone on the record praising the Democrat-led attempt to overhaul the health system, though not all have endorsed specific legislation. Administration Considers Extending COBRA Premiums October 7, 2009 at 8:00 am The Obama administration announced Monday that it is considering extending a federal law that subsidizes COBRA health insurance premiums for laid-off workers. States Face Rising Medicaid Rolls Under Health Reform October 7, 2009 at 8:00 am As part of the ongoing "Are You Covered?" series done in conjunction with Kaiser Health News, NPR profiles a 94-year-old Medicaid recipient in Colorado, who lives in a nursing home largely paid for by her Medicaid coverage. Today's Editorials And Opinions October 7, 2009 at 8:00 am The War On Specialists Wall Street Journal In President Obama's Washington, medical specialists are slightly more popular than the H1N1 virus. … [T]he quiet war Democrats are waging on specialists is astonishing (10/6). Blogs Comment On Health Reform Amendments, Catholic Voters, Other Topics October 7, 2009 at 7:00 am The following summarizes recent women's health-related blog entries. "Bart Stupak, Leader of Antiabortion Democrats: 'Not Very Confident' on Health Care," Dan Gilgoff, U.S. House Democrats Question Their Reform Role While Republicans Plan Meeting With Secretary Sebelius October 7, 2009 at 7:00 am In the House, members are questioning if their version of the bill even matters, Politico reports. Health Insurance Exchanges Examined As Part Of Reform Proposals October 7, 2009 at 7:00 am Health insurance exchanges are part of every health care overhaul proposal now in Congress as Utah becomes just the second state to try its own exchange on for size. Senate Finance Committee Delays Health Reform Vote, Awaits Costs Estimates October 7, 2009 at 6:00 am Senate Finance Committee aides on Monday said that a vote on the committee's health reform bill -- previously scheduled for Tuesday -- would be delayed because panel members have not received a preliminary cost analysis of the bill from the Congressional Budget Office, AA Travel Insurance Guidance To Tourists Affected By Typhoon Parma October 7, 2009 at 4:00 am Tropical Storm Ketsana caused severe flooding in low lying areas of Metro Manila and Luzon on 26 September 2009 and authorities are still dealing with flooding from Typhoon Ketsana. You can access the latest information on the National Disaster Coordinating Council's website at: http://www.ndcc.gov.ph.