Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day Currently, approximately 12 million seniors lack access to a primary care provider because of shortages in their communities. (Rural Health Research & Policy Analysis Center) | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
 facebook  twitter |
|
| Health Resources |
At the Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $48,318,089,009 since January 1, 2009 in Additional Premium Costs to Cover Care for the Uninsured. Under the Microscope BRIEF: COMPARISON OF KEY MEDICARE PROVISIONS IN HOUSE & SENATE BILLS This brief compares the major Medicare provisions relating to benefit changes, Medicare Advantage, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, physician and other provider payment reforms, and other health system reforms in the House legislation approved by the full House on November 7, 2009 and in the Senate legislation approved by the full Senate on Dec. 24, 2009.
Read the full comparison brief here.
(Kaiser Family Foundation, 12/2009)
Health Care Headlines Administration Rejects Health Insurer’s Defense of Huge Rate Increases
Anthem Blue Cross, the California health insurance company that was criticized by the Obama administration for raising its premiums, said Thursday that the increases of up to 39 percent were driven by rising health care costs.
[New York Times, 2/12/2010] Anthem's Parent Company Defends Health Insurance Rate Hike
The parent of beleaguered Anthem Blue Cross offered a spirited defense Thursday of large premium increases for customers with individual health insurance policies in California, but critics -- including the Obama administration -- voiced skepticism. [L.A. Times, 2/12/2010] Health Insurers Take Heat for Rise in Profits
As the nation struggled last year with rising healthcare costs and a recession, the five largest health insurance companies racked up combined profits of $12.2 billion -- up 56% over 2008, according to a new report by liberal healthcare activists. [L.A. Times, 2/12/2010] Democrats Skeptical Health Care Summit Is Answer
First he called congressional Democrats' yearlong march toward health care overhaul an ugly process.
[Associated Press, 2/12/2010] Health Reform in Limbo, Top Drug Lobbyist Quits
Billy Tauzin, one of the highest paid lobbyists in Washington, is resigning as president of the pharmaceutical industry’s trade group amid internal disputes over its pact with the White House to trade political support for favorable terms in the proposed health care overhaul. [New York Times, 2/12/2010] Can GOP Shine at Health Summit?
All week, Republicans have been grousing about the president’s health care summit like it’s a trip to the dentist. [Politico, 2/11/2010] | 