Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day 78% of those filing for personal bankruptcy due to medical problems had medical insurance at the start of their illness. 60.3% had private coverage. (Harvard University and Ohio University) | Health Resources |
Under the Microscope LETTER: The President Spells Out His Vision on Health Care Reform
Yesterday the White House released a letter sent by the President to Senators Ted Kennedy and Max Baucus, the Chairmen of the key committees in the Senate handling health care reform, spelling out in detail what he would like to see in this historic legislation. [The White House, 6/3/09]
Read Coverage of the President’s Letter to Senators Kennedy and Baucus by The Associated Press, USA Today,
The Washington Post, The New York Times, Roll Call, and CQ Today.
STUDY: Medical Bills Play a Role in 62% of Bankruptcies, Study Says
A new study by Harvard University researchers shows a sizable increase over six years in bankruptcies caused in part by ever-higher medical expenses. Medical insurance isn't much help, either. According to the study, most people who filed medical-related bankruptcies “were solidly middle class before financial disaster hit.” [L.A. Times, 6/4/09]
Read related coverage in Business Week or listen on NPR.
Health Care Headlines Obama Open to a MedPAC with Teeth, DeParle Says
White House Office of Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle said Wednesday that President Obama is open to making recommendations of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission mandatory unless opposed by a joint resolution of Congress. [CQ HealthBeat, 6/3/09]
Related coverage in the Washington Post. Slump Pushing Cost of Drugs Out of Reach
A year or so ago, when customers buttonholed the pharmacists at Almand’s Drug Store here the questions were invariably about dosing or side effects. These days, they are almost always about cost.
[New York Times, 6/3/09] Health Insurers Balk at Some Changes
The insurance industry says it wholeheartedly embraces a health care overhaul, promising Congress and the president that it will make it much easier for individuals to buy insurance on their own.
[New York Times, 6/2/09] Solutions for Health-Care Reform
Say the words "health-care reform," and you'll witness a contentious debate about the need to give everybody coverage followed by arguments over who is going to pay for it and how.
[Chicago Tribune, 6/4/09] Three related stories below: Obama’s Health Care Reformist
Dr. Ezekiel "Zeke" Emanuel, special health adviser to the president's budget director, has emerged as a key behind-the-scenes player for what could be the biggest overhaul of the nation's health care system in the past two decades. [ABC News, 6/3/09] Baucus Rules Out Single-Payer Plan
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) told advocates for a single national health plan today that it was a mistake not to include their views in recent hearings on health care reform, but said the process was too far along to address the issue now, according to activists who participated in the meeting. [Washington Post, 6/3/09] OPINION: Adequate and Affordable Health For AllBy John Rother, AARP executive vice president for policy and strategy
The need for comprehensive reform of health care financing, insurance coverage, and delivery has never been so urgent. With close to 50 million Americans now lacking coverage, the need for a new model is rapidly increasing. [McKinsey & Co, 6/3/09]
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