Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day H.R. 3962 prohibits the Secretary of HHS from denying federal Medicaid matching funds to certain States for the cost of adult day care services. | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
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At The Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $41,217,649,419 This Year In Additional Premium Costs To Cover Care For The Uninsured. Under the Microscope SENATE UPDATE The Senate will move forward this week with amendment votes on drug importation after an agreement was reached on Saturday between Senate Republicans and Democrats. At 5:00 p.m. today the Senate Democratic Caucus will meet to discuss next steps for their health insurance reform bill. Read about the key amendments that have been accepted thus far to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. THE ECONOMIC CASE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM Today, Chair to the White House Council of Economic Advisors, Dr. Christina Romer, released a new report that finds that reform will reduce premiums, slow the rate of health care cost growth, lower public and private health care spending, increase workers’ wages, and bolster the economy as a whole. Read the report titled, “The Economic Case for Health Care Reform: Update.” On the same topic, don’t miss White House Budget Director Peter Orszag’s blog response to a Wall Street Journal editorial’s arguments.
Health Care Headlines Disputes Threaten '09 Passage of Health Bill
The next 48 hours will be critical to the fate of health-care reform in the Senate, as Democratic leaders struggle to settle disputes that stand in the way of holding a final vote this year on the massive package. [Washington Post, 12/14/2009] Democrats’ Health-Care Breakthrough Hinges on Cost, Holdouts
After hailing a potential breakthrough for U.S. health-care legislation, Democrats this week will learn whether the new deal passes muster with budget analysts and the senators they are courting.
[Bloomberg, 12/14/2009] Long-Term Care Stirs Health Care Debate
Embedded in sweeping health legislation passed by the House and being debated on the Senate floor is a major new federal insurance program for long-term care intended to help people like Anne M. Rader.
[New York Times, 12/14/2009] Read another article about long term care. Poor Being Turned Away From Free Cancer Screenings
As the economy falters and more people go without health insurance, low-income women in at least 20 states are being turned away or put on long waiting lists for free cancer screenings, according to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network. [Associated Press, 12/12/2009] Proposal to Allow Young Adults to Stay on Parents’ Plans Has Broad Appeal
Here’s a rarity: A provision in the health care overhaul bills that is cheap, fairly easy to understand and universally popular. [CQ Today, 12/11/2009] Second Opinion on Medicare Cuts
A big criticism of the health care overhaul is that sooner or later it will prove to be a budget-buster, no matter how often the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bills now in play would actually reduce the federal deficit in the long run. [CQ Weekly, 12/14/2009] EDITORIAL: Can We Afford It?
Republican critics have a fiercely argued list of reasons to oppose health care reform. One that is resonating is that the nation cannot afford in tough economic times to add a new trillion-dollar health care entitlement.
[New York Times, 12/13/2009] OPINION: Soaring Health Care Costs Hit Basic Services
By Joel B. Young, member, board of directors to Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
As the raucous health care debate plays out in Washington, I have become increasingly aware of how skyrocketing health care costs touch us all, and in ways you might not expect.
[San Francisco Chronicle, 12/13/2009] | 