Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day H.R. 3962 promotes competition among health insurers and medical malpractice insurers by removing the antitrust exemption so that it no longer shields them from liability for price fixing, dividing up territories, or monopolizing their market. | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
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At The Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $37,412,906,408 This Year In Additional Premium Costs To Cover Care For The Uninsured. Under the Microscope NEW BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE REPORT The association of CEOs of leading U.S. companies shows that comprehensive health insurance reform could slow the growth of health care costs and offer real savings for companies and their employees. It finds, for example, that if reform passes this year, businesses could see health care costs reduced by as much as $3,000 per employee in 2019, increasing business competitiveness. Some key components that would lower the cost of health care that the report cited, and which are in H.R. 3962 include: - Delivery System Reforms
- Accountable Care Organizations that realign financial incentives to improve the quality and the value of the care delivered
- Financial Penalties for failing to avoid preventable hospital re-admissions
- Cost and Quality of Care Data that is easier for patients and providers to access and use
- Promotion of Wellness and Prevention Programs
- Insurance Market Reforms that promote competition and choice
Read the report: Health Care Reform: Creating a Sustainable Health Care Marketplace
See the Tri-Committee H.R. 3962 fact sheet: Controlling Costs
Health Care Headlines Health-Bill Battle Won't Get a Recess
The fight over the future of the U.S. health-care system is heading outside the Beltway this week, as groups on all sides take advantage of Congress's Veterans Day recess to put pressure on lawmakers. [Wall Street Journal, 11/12/2009] Momentum a Challenge for Senate
Democrats on Capitol Hill have devised a plan to maintain momentum for healthcare reform, hoping to avoid the setbacks they suffered over the summer. [The Hill, 11/12/2009] AP Sources: Reid Eyes Payroll Tax Hike On Wealthy
Majority Leader Harry Reid is considering a plan for higher payroll taxes on the upper-income earners to help finance health care legislation he intends to introduce in the Senate in the next several days, numerous Democratic officials said Wednesday. [Associated Press, 11/11/2009] Senators Discuss Creation of Panel To Control Health Costs
The drive on Capitol Hill to create a bipartisan entitlement and tax reform commission to help “bend the cost curve” of health spending and address mounting deficits picked up momentum Tuesday, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and a handful of moderate Democrats and Republicans voiced support for the effort. [Kaiser Health News, 11/11/2009] Clinton Says Health Costs Hurt U.S. Companies’ Competitiveness
Former President Bill Clinton said American companies such as General Motors Corp. will struggle to compete globally until health-care costs are controlled. [Bloomberg, 11/11/2009] Initially Waved Off, Hispanic Advocates Jump Into Health Debate
After trying to carefully balance their interests in health-care reform and immigration, the nation's Hispanic lawmakers and largest advocacy groups are scrambling to develop a strategy to counter what they see as efforts to shortchange immigrants in health bills on Capitol Hill. [Washington Post, 11/12/2009] On the Front Lines of Health-Care Reform
It's fair to say John Rother has been under the gun these days. As the policy director for AARP, the world's largest organization for people over 50, Rother has been on the front lines of the health-care-reform wars -- often under siege by Republicans and by some of his group's 40 million members.
[Washington Post, 11/12/2009] OPINION: Why We Need A Strong Individual Mandate
By Janet Trautwein, CEO, National Association of Health Underwriters
One of the key issues to address is the individual mandate, which would require individuals to purchase health insurance. If the Senate fails to adopt a strong mandate as the House did, health-care costs will increase at a faster rate than they have in the past and as a result, vast numbers of Americans will remain uninsured.
[Wall Street Journal, 11/11/2009] | 