Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day The House bill will provide affordable coverage to 97% of Americans. | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
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At The Time This Daily Dose Was Sent the Hidden Health Tax On Insured Americans Was $31,375,613,642 Under the Microscope More Evidence on Why the Status Quo is Unacceptable Today Vice President Biden spoke to a group of State Insurance Commissioners highlighting a new White House report documenting the burden of health insurance premium increases on families. "The status quo of rising premiums is simply unsustainable," said Vice President Biden, "for families, for businesses, for state budgets, and for our national economy. Health insurance premiums for American families continue to skyrocket. In the past year, the national average annual family premium for employer-sponsored health insurance rose to $13,375 in 2009 – a shocking 5.5 percent increase during a recession when inflation actually fell by 0.7 percent.” Also today, HHS Secretary Sebelius joined NCAA basketball coaches, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and members of Congress at a rally for health insurance reform. Today the Administration released another report on Health Insurance Reform & Cancer In America. Also if you haven’t already, listen to the story of Laura from Green Bay Wisconsin, who testifies to the urgency of health insurance reform for someone with cancer. Update on the Senate The Senate Finance Committee finally started their markup today. A summary list of the 500+ amendments are listed here and categorized by topic. Chairman Baucus revised the mark he released last week after hearing initial feedback from SFC members. The modifications made and the effects on revenue estimates are also listed online. Videos of the Day Senior Advisor David Axelrod sent out an email yesterday highlighting a 4-minute video outlining the President’s health care plan. MoveOn.org has put together a “Protect Insurance Companies PSA.” After you watch, check out insurance company profits & CEO compensation here.
Health Care Headlines Medicare Sets Probe Of Humana Letters
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched an investigation into Humana Inc.'s effort to enlist beneficiaries to fight proposed cuts to Medicare's private plans. [Wall Street journal, 9/21/2009]
Read a related article and a memo from CMS. Cantor Pressed On Lack Of GOP Healthcare Plan
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) was asked several times on Monday about the GOP’s lack of a specific healthcare reform plan. [The Hill, 9/22/2009] Read a related article. House Democrats Prepare For Health Bill Push
With all eyes on the Senate Finance Committee markup of a health care overhaul this week, House Democrats plan to use the breathing room to resolve outstanding issues holding up their own reform push. [Roll Call, 9/22/2009] Revised Bill Would Ease Burden On Middle Class
Seeking to lock down votes before Tuesday's meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, Chairman Max Baucus began reworking his health-care overhaul to ease the financial burden on middle-class Americans who would be required for the first time to have health insurance. [Washington Post, 9/22/2009]
Read a related article. Baucus Struggles To Find Bill's Affordability Sweet Spot
Attempts by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus to make health care more affordable in a modified chairman's mark the panel will consider today have left insurance executives anxious while continuing to trouble liberal groups that want even more federal assistance for some individuals. [CongressDaily, 9/22/2009] Senators Compromise On Health Bill
After months of private negotiations and cryptic public statements, senators are beginning to show their hands on health care reform. [Politico, 9/22/2009] Democratic Freshmen Flex Muscle On Reform
Hoping to find strength in numbers, nine Senate Democratic freshmen have come together as a bloc to try to influence the direction of the chamber’s health care overhaul. [Roll Call, 9/22/2009] Read a related article. Supporters Of Public Option Plan Nationwide Protest
When the Senate Finance Committee takes up its health-care bill on Tuesday, activists who favor a public option plan to stage demonstrations nationwide against the health insurance industry.
[New York Times, 9/21/2009] Facing Aging Without Health Insurance
Fernando Arriola spends his days keeping track of four or five construction projects, and his nights praying for good health. [NPR, 9/21/2009] EDITORIAL: The Heart Of The Matter
After weeks of talks with a small group of Republicans, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) released his long-awaited healthcare reform proposal Wednesday with no GOP co-sponsors -- all but eliminating the chance for significant bipartisan support. [L.A. Times, 9/18/2009] EDITORIAL: Madison Weeps
For the last three months, Baucus, as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, worked with five other committee members--two Democrats and three Republicans--to draft legislation that could garner bipartisan support. [The New Republic, 9/19/2009] OPINION: Doctors Need A Say On Health Insurance
By Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, president & CEO, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and William L. Roper, MD, pediatrician, Foundation trustee and dean, UNC School of Medicine
A majority backs both public and private programs. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/22/2009] OPINION: Public Option Or Bust
By Brent Budowsky
As the Senate Finance Committee considers the healthcare bill, think of this definition of insanity: keep making the same mistake and expect a different outcome. [The Hill, 9/21/2009] | 