THE DAILY DOSE: THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009

Daily Dose
For Immediate Release:
2009-07-30T00:00:00
Contact Info:
Katie Grant
Stephanie Lundberg
(202) 225 - 3130
Health Reform in the House

Fact of the Day

159 million non-elderly Americans (61% of the non-elderly population) are covered by employer-sponsored health insurance. (Kaiser Family Foundation)

Health Resources

Under the Microscope

REPORT: Health Care & the Middle Class: More Costs & Less Coverage
This report focuses on health insurance coverage among those with middle incomes-its availability, affordability, and stability. It also addresses the growing burden of health care costs for the middle class, the adequacy of today’s health insurance plans to protect them from large medical bills, and the difference both make as individuals and families make health care decisions for themselves. [Kaiser Family Foundation, July 24, 2009]

CHART: The Republican Study Committee Proposal
Yesterday one group of House Republicans came out with their own version of a health system bill. Their proposal does nothing to protect the health care consumer or contain costs, and keeps treatment decisions in the hands of insurance companies instead of patients and doctors. This side-by-side comparison to the Democratic plan shows clearly which party is on the side of consumers, and which party would rather defend the insurance companies. [Office of the Speaker, 7/20/2009]

Health Care Headlines

  • Hoyer Says Democrats Going on Offense Over August
    Faced with sagging approval for Democrats’ health care plans heading into the August recess, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Thursday that his party will have a more focused message buoyed by deals emerging from both the House and Senate. [Roll Call, 7/30/2009]
  • A Look at Health Care Plans in Congress
    A look at health care legislation taking shape in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate as President Barack Obama pushes to overhaul the system, cover nearly 50 million uninsured Americans and contain rising costs. [Associated Press, 7/29/2009]
  • Lawmakers Cut Health Bills’ Price Tag
    Key lawmakers on Wednesday moved to cut roughly $100 billion from the cost of health-care reform proposals as they sought to break weeks of gridlock on President Obama's signature legislative initiative before Congress departs for a month-long recess. [Washington Post, 7/30/2009] Read a related article.
  • Democrats Find Momentum on Reform
    After weeks of infighting and negative headlines, Democrats finally found a little momentum on health care as negotiators broke a critical logjam in the House and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office delivered a rare piece of good news in the Senate. [Politico, 7/30/2009]
  • Insurers' Tax on Pricey US Health Plans Gains
    A plan to tax health insurance companies on high-end "Cadillac" insurance plans has picked up momentum in Congress as a way to help pay for a $1 trillion overhaul of U.S. healthcare, lawmakers said this week. [Reuters, 7/29/2009]
  • OPINION: The Deal With the Blue Dogs
    By Jonathan Crohn
    The big news on health reform is a deal that will allow the House Energy and Commerce Committee to pass legislation. [New Republic, 7/39/2009]