Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day H.R. 3962 streamlines the credentialing process for hospitals and critical access hospitals wishing to use telehealth services, helping to expand access to health care. | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
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At the Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $45,020,155,770 since January 1, 2009 in Additional Premium Costs to Cover Care for the Uninsured. Under the Microscope SPEAKER, LEADER HOYER ANNOUNCE 72 HOURS FOR REVIEW House Democratic Leadership announced they are committed to having the final health insurance reform legislation online for 72 hours before the House votes for all Members of Congress and the American people to review. Talks between the House, Senate and White House to produce final legislation continue around the clock. Yesterday after the President addressed questions from House Members at the Capitol, discussions among Leaders continued at the White House until 1:30 a.m. Today former President Clinton, the last President to try to pass health insurance reform 16 years ago, addressed House Democrats at their issues conference, and encouraged them to get the job done for the American people. #9 of TOP 10 BENEFITS FOR AMERICANS UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM Over 90 percent of individual health insurance policies have lifetime benefit limits. These limits can be easy to reach with one stroke of bad luck. The individuals and families who thought they were insured are soon faced with a choice of bankruptcy or the rationing or discontinuing of necessary medical care. Under health insurance reform, never again will patients be subject to annual or lifetime limits on what insurance companies will pay, protecting millions of Americans from the threat of medical bankruptcy. # 9: No Annual or Lifetime Limits on Coverage
Health Care Headlines 6.7 M Children Have No Health Insurance
More than 6.7 million U.S. children don't have health insurance and nearly 25 percent of insured children lack adequate insurance coverage, researchers say. [United Press International, 1/14/2010] Obama Seeks To Reassure Democrats on Health Care Reform
President Obama said this evening that the nation is on the “doorstep” of accomplishing the health insurance reform, and Republicans will be mistaken if they believe they can campaign against it during this year’s midterm elections. [ABC News, 1/14/2010] Read a related article. White House Nears Deal on Health Care
Gripped by a building sense that its window of opportunity could be closing, the White House on Thursday broke the last major logjam blocking enactment of far-reaching health-care legislation, cutting a deal with organized labor on how to tax high-cost insurance policies. [Washington Post, 1/15/2010] Accord Reached on Insurance Tax for Costly Plans
The White House, Congressional leaders and labor unions said Thursday that they had reached agreement on a proposal to tax high-cost health insurance policies, resolving one of the major differences between the House and the Senate over far-reaching health legislation. [New York Times, 1/15/2010] Unions Cut Special Deal on Health Taxes
Democratic negotiators acceded to union demands for a scaled-back tax on high-end health-insurance plans, exempting union contracts from the tax until 2018, five years beyond the start date for other workers.
[Wall Street Journal, 1/15/2010] Democrats Seek Added $10 Billion From Drug Firms
Congressional Democrats finalizing a health overhaul have asked drug companies to contribute an additional $10 billion and possibly more over a decade to help cover the cost, according to people familiar with the discussions. [Wall Street Journal, 1/14/2010] Health Talks In Overdrive With Obama Pushing
President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats stand within days if not hours of striking final deals on historic health care legislation after key labor unions won concessions and pledged their support.
[Associated Press, 1/15/2010] Pelosi Fights For More Low Income Subsidies In Healthcare
In most states, if you drive, you have to have car insurance. Coverage, in other words, is mandated.
[US News, 1/13/2010] Democrats See Healthcare Finish Line In Sight After Negotiations
President Barack Obama and House Democrats claimed significant progress Thursday as momentum appeared to increase for swift final action on healthcare reform. [The Hill, 1/14/2010] EDITORIAL: Health-Care Reform Should Put An End To Pay-For-Delay By Drug Companies
A loophole in existing law allows manufacturers of brand-name drugs to pay competitors to keep cheaper, generic versions off the market. If there's to be health-care reform this year, it ought to close that loophole. [Washington Post, 1/15/2010] | 