Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day H.R. 3962 requires drug manufacturers to extend prescription rebate discounts to State Medicaid programs for drugs dispensed to all Medicaid managed care enrollees, helping states save millions of dollars each year. | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
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At The Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $39,550,740,861 This Year In Additional Premium Costs To Cover Care For The Uninsured. Under the Microscope SENATE BILL UPDATE Today at 3:00 p.m., the Senate began debate on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with each side offering one amendment initially, with more amendments expected. Also today, the CBO released a new analysis on how the Senate bill would affect insurance premiums. The analysis shows that a vast majority of Americans will see lower premiums under health insurance reform than they would if reform were not passed. Yesterday, MIT Economist, Jonathan Gruber, who has been following the health insurance reform debate closely, came out with his own analysis, based on data from CBO, that shows that under the Senate legislation, Americans will pay less for coverage in the individual market than they do today. Read the full report. Read related coverage in Politico and in the Washington Post. WHO DO YOU TRUST? In a new video, Vice President Biden asks “Who Do You Trust?” ultimately amidst the noise about the health insurance reform debate. Lori Heim, MD, vice president of the American Academy of Physicians, and Rebecca Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR, president of the American Nurses Association, explain why doctors and nurses are calling for reform.
Health Care Headlines Senate ‘Horse Trading’ Begins as Democrats Take Up Health Bill
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid begins this week pushing for Democratic unity on health-care legislation, which may mean catering to the whims of 60 lawmakers who know that each of their votes is essential. [Bloomberg, 11/30/2009] Dems Seek Deal As Sen. Debate Begins
After months of buildup, the historic debate on health care reform opens on the Senate floor Monday — but the C-SPAN cameras won’t see the real action. [Politico, 11/29/2009] Seven Issues to Watch As the Senate Begins Amending the Healthcare Bill
Senators will be asked to cast their votes on numerous amendments as they begin a debate to reshape the country’s healthcare system. [The Hill, 11/29/2009] In Health-Care Reform, No Deficit Cure
As the long battle over health care is rejoined in the Senate this week, experts remain deeply divided over whether the legislation would rein in soaring health-care costs or simply add millions of people to a system that is already driving the nation toward bankruptcy. [Washington Post, 11/30/2009] A Tax on Nips and Tucks Angers Patients, Surgeons
Last week, a 41-year-old woman who had recently had her first child walked into the office of Dr. Steven Teitelbaum in Santa Monica, Calif., for an operation that tens of thousands of women like her have undergone this year: a breast lift. [New York Times, 11/29/2009] The Treatment of Kenny Farnsworth
For much of a decade, he called 911 routinely for an endless list of medical issues. Now he has an endless stack of bills he is unlikely to ever pay. So what's the diagnosis? [Washington Post, 11/29/2009] Insured But Not Covered
Adrienne Schroeder recently moved to Richmond, Va., from Bozeman, Mont., to care for her aging father. Medical expenses — not his, but hers — are a concern. [New York Times, 11/26/2009] OPINION: Are We Going to Let John Die?
By Nicholas D. Kristof
If Joe Lieberman or other senators came across John Brodniak writhing in pain on the sidewalk, they presumably would jump to help him and rush him to a hospital. [New York Times, 11/29/2009] OPINION: The CLASS Act: A Flawed But Powerful Game-Changer for Long-Term Care
By Howard Gleckman, Senior Research Associate at the Urban Institute
Congress may be about to make major changes in the way 10 million frail elderly and adults with disabilities pay for long-term care services. [Kaiser Health News, 11/30/2009] | 