THE DAILY DOSE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010

Health Reform in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee on Ways and Means Committee on Education and Labor

Fact of the Day Middle class families with high out-of-pocket expenses currently spend 21 percent of their income on health care services – and that’s not including their premiums. (Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality)

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Health Resources Majority Leader Clearinghouse HealthReform.gov MedPAC Alliance for Health Reform National Health Policy Forum Kaiser Family Foundation Families USA Commonwealth Fund Robert Wood Johnson Foundation RAND Health Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Partnership for Prevention Trust for America's Health Synthesis Project

At the Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $48,101,062,257 since January 1, 2009 in Additional Premium Costs to Cover Care for the Uninsured.

Under the Microscope

House to Hold Hearing on Excessive Premium Increases

Anthem Blue Cross of California’s recent announcement that it plans to raise individual insurance policy rates by as much as 39 percent underscores why America needs health insurance reform. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has announced a hearing later this month to investigate the reasoning for such a steep increase. Anthem is owned by WellPoint, which enjoys a large market share in California.  But as Jonathan Cohn points out, this is a problem greater than monopoly pricing; it’s about having an insurance market that is both competitive and fair to consumers. The core of the Democratic health insurance bills – a health insurance marketplace that offers a variety of coverage options - would encourage greater competition and put health care consumers back in the driver’s seat.

FULFILLING A PROMISE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

Democrats have campaigned for over a decade now on reforming our health insurance system to lower costs and ensure secure access for all Americans. It’s the time to deliver on our promise and a recent Washington Post-ABC News Poll shows that’s what two-thirds of Americans would like to see Congress do.

Health Care Headlines

Obama Meets With Republicans To Bridge Partisan Divide
The two-hour session was part of a renewed drive by the White House to create legislation by consensus, regardless of party label. Obama tried the approach after he took office, but it did not take hold.
[Washington Post, 2/10/2010]

Congress Opens Probe Into Anthem Blue Cross Rate Increases
Two House panels announce they are investigating the hikes, which take effect March 1. Lawmakers ask the company's CEO to explain the reasons for the increases. [L.A. Times, 2/10/2010] Read a related article.

The Six Republican Ideas Already In The Health-Care Reform Bill
At this point, I don't think it's well understood how many of the GOP's central health-care policy ideas have already been included as compromises in the health-care bill. [Washington Post, 2/8/2010]

Republicans Have Their Disagreements, Too
Republicans generally do not speak with a single voice on health care policy, any more than Democrats do. Consider, for instance, the tax treatment of employer-sponsored health benefits. [New York Times, 2/9/2010]

Health Care Legislation Could Be Boon For Biotech Firms
The nation’s economic downturn has dried up many of the usual sources of money the smallest drugmakers depend on to pay for their work. [Star-Ledger, 2/7/2010]

OPINION: Murtha Death Raises Questions Over Preventable Medical Errors
With the ongoing debate in Washington about the nature of health care reform, Murtha's passing shines light on one area that hasn't had enough scrutiny, how to make our health care system safer. [Politico, 2/9/2010]