Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day Adult obesity rates now exceed 25 percent in 31 states and exceed 20 percent in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
(Trust for America’s Health) | Health Resources |
Under the Microscope REPORT: F As In Fat 2009: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America
The obesity epidemic is harming the health of millions of Americans, contributing significantly to skyrocketing health care costs and threatening the country’s productivity. The sixth annual edition of F as in Fat examines obesity trends in the United States. It assesses state and federal policies aimed at preventing or reducing obesity in children and adults and chronicles actions to address this critical health issue. Finally, it suggests ways to accelerate those efforts given the challenges of the economy and the opportunities of health reform.
[Trust for America’s Health, July 2009]
Read the press release, executive summary, and the view the supplement.
Health Care Headlines Obama Welcomes Progress on Health Care Overhaul
President Barack Obama on Tuesday welcomed progress on health care overhaul as Senate Democrats and the administration closed in on a deal with hospitals to help pay for his proposed expansion of medical coverage to the uninsured. [Associated Press, 7/7/2009] Reid Jumps Into Health Negotiations
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) abruptly waded into health care reform negotiations Tuesday, telling Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) that Democratic leaders had serious concerns about a bill that would tax health benefits and nix a strong public insurance option. [Politico, 7/7/2009] White House Assures Drug Makers on Reimportation
The chief lobbyist for brand-name drug makers said he has heard reassuring words from White House officials about the longstanding issue of allowing reimportation of prescription drugs from other countries. [Wall Street Journal, 7/7/2009] Obama Reaffirms Support for Public Plan
The White House on Tuesday appeared to be walking back comments made by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel suggesting President Barack Obama is flexible on whether to have a government insurance option as part of health reform. [Roll Call, 7/7/2009] Read a related article in The Hill. Defining the (Carefully Crafted) Terms of Healthcare Reform
The final details of healthcare reform have yet to emerge from the committee rooms and caucuses on Capitol Hill, but the battle to shape public opinion is already fully scripted and well under way.
[Christian Science Monitor, 7/7/2009] OPINION: Health Reform Must Include Real Reforms
By Kenneth Thorpe, exec. dir., Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease & chairman, Emory School of Public Health Dept of Health Policy & Mnmgt
As Congress returns to work from its July Fourth recess, lawmakers continue to struggle to reach consensus on several of the remaining key issues on health care reform and work to reduce the price tag in light of the sticker shock over the cost estimates of the draft Senate bills. [Roll Call, 7/7/2009] OPINION: Public Option Essential, Will Not Lead to Rationing or Curbing Doctor Choice
By Representatives Lois Capps, BSN (D-CA), Chris Murphy (D-PA), Diana Degette (D-CO), and Jane Harman (D-CA)
Comprehensive health reform is going to happen this year because the status quo simply is not working. And the problems driving the need for reform are the very reasons we need to establish a public health insurance option. [The Hill, 7/7/2009] OPINION: Building on What Works in Health Care
By Sen. Debbie Stabenow and John Seffrin, CEO, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
The words “you have cancer” are some of the most feared in the English language. But at a time when patients should be spending all of their energy fighting to get well, too many are fighting to figure out how they will afford costly medical treatment because they are uninsured or have insurance that simply isn’t adequate. [Roll Call, 7/7/2009] OPINION: Rx for Health Care Savings: Rein in the ‘PBM Premium’
By Bruce Roberts, Executive Vice President and CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association
A recent Congressional hearing, led by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), highlighted the absurdities of America’s broken drug payment system, as orchestrated by a handful of companies known as pharmacy benefit managers. While the hearing examined whether taxpayers and the federal employees’ health plan are getting ripped off, the broader lessons are unmistakable. [Roll Call, 7/7/2009]
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