Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day Under the House bill, Medicare coverage will be extended for mental health services by allowing new categories of mental health counselors to be reimbursed for their services. | | Health Resources |
At The Time This Daily Dose Was Sent the Hidden Health Tax On Insured Americans Was $30,556,252,738 Under the Microscope This morning the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hosted for Members a forum on the Urgent Need for Health Insurance Reform. The forum was immediately followed by a Caucus meeting on health care at noon and several more Caucus meetings on topics in health insurance reform will occur throughout the week. Deductibles and Co-Pays Continue to Increase Above Inflation. A new survey out today shows that family employer-sponsored health premiums rose to $13, 375 in 2009, up 5 percent as inflation fell nearly 1 percent. Those that are covered are facing higher deductibles and a larger share of co-pays according to The Kaiser Family Foundation, Health Affairs, and the Health Research & Educational Trust who released the survey. Survey Shows Cost of Health Benefits Expected to Rise
Many Americans with health benefits face an erosion of coverage next year under the existing health-care system, according to a new survey, as employers continue to cut costs. [Washington Post, 9/15/2009] The Facts on Health Insurance Reform and People with Disabilities While some lawmakers are trying to address this serious issue for families, others are trying to mislead and scare the American people. The latest fear mongering by Sarah Palin and other Republican lawmakers is that people with disabilities will be threatened by this health bill. In a recent letter, the Consortium For Citizens with Disabilities verifies that provisions in H.R. 3200, will “greatly benefit children and adults with disabilities and chronic conditions.” Finally for those having a hard time reading through H.R. 3200, it is now available for audio download at heartthebill.org.
Health Care Headlines Study: Docs Heavily Favor Public Option
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said today that a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine found that 63 percent of physicians favored a health-reform proposal that includes both a public option and traditional private insurance. [Politico, 9/14/2009] See related pieces on the public option and on Medicare. Read the NEJM study here. Finance Race To Find Agreement
One more day of negotiations stands between Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus and his release of the health care plan everyone is awaiting. But finishing touches are still needed on some difficult issues, including abortion coverage, provisions regarding illegal immigrants, Medicaid funding and costs to consumers.
[CQ Today, 9/15/2009] Read more about the Medicaid discussions. New Objections to Baucus Health Care Proposal
Two of the three Republicans in a small group trying to forge a bipartisan compromise on health care have requested numerous major changes in a proposal drafted by the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, reducing the chances that he can win their support. [New York Times, 9/14/2009]
Read a related article about the medical-device fees Sens. Grassley and Enzi oppose. Budget Office Will Score Senate Finance’s Health Care Bill Over 20 Years
The Congressional Budget Office will likely provide a cost estimate of health care overhaul legislation being written by the Senate Finance Committee that will go beyond the normal 10-year time frame, Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad said Monday. [CQ HealthBeat, 9/14/2009] No More Shop 'Til You Drop for a Medicare Plan
Medicare officials in the past have “had a message to overemphasize shopping” when it comes to seniors who face a plethora of choices in prescription drug or Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, a top official with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told an insurers’ conference Monday. [CQ HealthBeat, 9/14/2009] Marshfield, Wisconsin: Better Health Care, U.S.A
Imagine having access to a nurse at any time to help you figure out whether that jolt of mysterious pain merits a visit to the doctor or to the emergency room. [CQ HealthBeat, 9/15/2009]
Read CMS’ PGP Demo fact sheet. | 