August 12, 2009

August 12 Health Care Reform News

By Kelley Luckstein

Walz shares his views on health care

When it comes to health care reform, 1st District Congressman Tim Walz said he feels he has an added responsibility with the world-class Mayo Clinic within his district. So where does the Democrat from Mankato stand when it comes to health care reform? Read more for the quick run down.

 

Post-Bulletin by Heather Carlson, 8/11/2009

 

Additional Mayo Clinic health care reform coverage:

Health Care Blog

Investors Business Daily

 

Additional Health Care Reform News

 

Top stories

 

Obama Faces 'Scare Tactics' Head-On

The Washington Post
Aug. 12, 2009

 

President Obama began a personal effort Tuesday to reclaim momentum for his health-care initiative with a direct rebuttal of what he called "scare tactics," rumors and misrepresentations.

 

Related coverage:

Obama Offers Reassurance on Plan to Overhaul Health Care, The New York Times
Obama Takes the Stand on Health Care, The Los Angeles Times

In New Hampshire, Obama Defends Health Care Plan, NPR

Under Pressure, Obama Defends Health-Care Plan, The Wall Street Journal

President Obama Takes Aim at Health Care Foes, Politico

 

Survey Finds High Fees Common in Medical Care

The New York Times
Aug. 12, 2009

 

A survey shows the sort of irrational pricing of medical care that is an integral part of health care problems in the U.S.  Click here to read the report from America’s Health Insurance Plans.

 

Insurance

 

Will Insurance Exchange Help Cut Health Costs?

NPR
Aug. 12, 2009

 

NPR assesses whether insurance exchanges would help cut health costs.

 

State news

 

Kaiser Permanente to Cut More Than 1,800 Jobs in California

The Los Angeles Times
Aug. 12, 2009

 

One of the state's largest employers, healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente, said it would eliminate more than 1,800 positions as it struggles with drooping membership, uncertain healthcare reform and shriveling Medicare reimbursement rates.

 

Reform efforts

 

Senator Goes Face to Face With Dissent

The New York Times
Aug. 11, 2009

 

More than 1,000 people showed up for a Pennsylvania meeting with Senator Arlen Specter, and like many such events, it was punctuated with rowdy moments.

 

Going to the Mat On Health-Care Bill

The Washington Post

Aug. 12, 2009

 

Congressional town hall meetings on health-care reform have transcended their original purpose and become a kind of professional wrestling for the civically engaged.

 

The Democrats' Senior Problem

Politico

Aug. 12, 2009

 

Polls show senior citizens largely disapprove of health care reform ideas so far.

Expanding Access to Care: More than Just an Insurance Card?

Alliance for Health Reform

Aug. 10, 2009

 

The Alliance for Health Reform and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation sponsored an Aug. 10 briefing on expanding access to care. Panelists were Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief, Health Affairs; Nancy Dickey, president, Texas A&M Health Science Center; Deborah Devaux, of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, which is implementing a value-based payment system; and Sharon Long, researcher, The Urban Institute, to discuss the Massachusetts experience.  Link includes webcast, podcast, individual speaker videos and resource materials, including speakers' PowerPoint presentations.

 

Checking In With Chip Kahn: 'Potential for Hospitals and Our Patients To Be Big Winners'

Kaiser Health News

Aug. 12, 2009

 

Excerpts from an interview with Charles "Chip" Kahn III, president of the Federation of American Hospitals.

 

Miscellaneous

 

Physicians Most Challenged by Money Problems in 2009

HealthPopuli
Aug. 12, 2009

 

Money and modernization are the roots of the main challenges facing physicians in 2009. Among the top ten most challenging issues facing American doctors, 7 in 10 directly involve economics, two involve data and reporting, and one--recruiting physicians--fell two places since last year's survey by the Medical Group Management Association.

 

Tags: Health Policy, Health Policy

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