Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day From 1995 to 1999, 20 percent of Medicare beneficiaries accounted for 84 percent of total Medicare spending. Contrary to popular myth, most of these expenditures were not incurred at the end of life, but were due to treatment of chronic conditions.
(Partnership for Prevention) | Health Resources |
Under the Microscope Today is the 43rd Anniversary of the Implementation of Medicare.
COMPARISON TOOL: Major Congressional Committee Plans
This interactive side-by-side compares the leading comprehensive reform proposals, put forward by the President and Members of Congress, across a number of key characteristics and plan components. Proposals that have been formally introduced as legislation are included as well as those that have been offered as principles or in White Paper form. [Kaiser Family Foundation, 6/30/2009]
REPORT: Medicare Prescription Drug Plans in 2009 & Key Changes Since 2006
This report summarizes findings from a series of Medicare Part D 2009 Data Spotlights documenting changes in drug coverage and costs since 2006. It presents key findings related to Medicare drug plan premiums, the coverage gap, benefit design and cost sharing, the specialty tier, formularies, and utilization management, based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for all plans participating in Part D. [Kaiser Family Foundation, June 2009]
Health Care Headlines Efforts to Overhaul Healthcare Take Familiar Path
House and Senate lawmakers working on a major overhaul of the health-care system have reached a familiar juncture in their effort to reshape one of the largest sectors of the economy.
[Wall Street Journal, 6/30/2009] Obama Cheerleading for Healthcare Plan
With more questions than answers arising in the debate over his healthcare proposal, President Obama is looking to pressure Congress by taking his push for reform back on the road. [The Hill, 6/30/2009] Kilroy Reaches Out On Health Care As GOP Hones Attacks
As House Democrats plan a busy July expected to focus chiefly on health reform, a targeted swing-district freshman has stepped up her grassroots efforts with innovative use of her House Web site to encourage interactive exchanges on the topic. [Congress Daily, 6/26/2009] Insured, but Bankrupted by Health Crises
Health insurance is supposed to offer protection — both medically and financially. But as it turns out, an estimated three-quarters of people who are pushed into personal bankruptcy by medical problems actually had insurance when they got sick or were injured. [New York Times, 6/30/2009] Doctors Say Costs, Not Care, Have Become Focus
Over the past few decades, health care costs in the United States have soared, leaving some physicians struggling to provide the best care for their patients while managing the business end of their practices. [NPR, 6/30/2009] OPINION: Preserving Medicare’s Success, 43 Years Later
By Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. John D. Dingell(D-MI)
As popular as Medicare is now, it is hard to believe that it was once bitterly opposed. Medicare came into existence 43 years ago today, in the face of many who doubted that it could cover millions of people, provide them with excellent care, and keep costs low. [Huffington Post, 7/1/2009] LETTER TO EDITOR: Health Reform and Drugs
By Billy Tauzin, President and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Saving money as part of comprehensive health care reform is critically important. But so is saving lives. [New York Times, 6/30/2009] Read about PhRMA’s deal and their ad buys. OPINION: Health Care Deform
By Jacob Hacker, co-director, Center for Health, Economic, and Family Security at U.C. Berkley, & Rahul Rajkumar, M.D., Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Afraid of the public option? This is what America will look like without it. [New Republic, 6/30/2009]
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