October 26, 2009

October 26: Health Care Reform Coverage

By Kelley Luckstein

Fears of health monopoly as Congress urges collaboration

The health care overhaul proposals before Congress encourage hospitals and doctors to join forces and create networks that would do a better job of coordinating patient care…

 

President Obama and Democratic leaders have held up integrated care systems like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota as models for providing more efficient care. Most health policy specialists say such systems have vast potential to improve safety and quality and reduce costs by using linked computers and standardized treatments.

 

Boston Globe by Lisa Wangsness, 10/25/09

 

Additional Mayo Clinic health reform coverage:

Star Tribune

The Daily Republic

 

 

Top stories

 

Senate on Verge of Health Bill

The Wall Street Journal

Oct. 26, 2009

 

Top Senate Democrats are close to finalizing their health bill and could unveil a measure as soon as early this week that would include stiffer penalties on employers who fail to provide health coverage.

 

Democrats Are Optimistic That Public Option Will Be Approved

The New York Times

Oct. 25, 2009

 

Several Democratic senators voiced optimism that Congress would pass a health care bill containing at least the germ of a government-run insurance program.

 

AP Sources: Health Bill May Cut Employer Mandate

AP/The Washington Post

Oct. 25, 2009

 

Businesses would not be required to provide health insurance under legislation being readied for Senate debate, but large firms would owe significant penalties if any worker needed government subsidies to buy coverage on their own, according to Democratic officials familiar with talks on the bill.

 

Insurance

 

Insurers Poised to Reap Benefits from Healthcare Overhaul

The Los Angeles Times

Oct. 26, 2009

 

As President Obama's push for a healthcare overhaul moves toward its final stages, the health insurance industry is on the verge of seeing a plan enacted that largely protects its financial interests.

 

Can 'Bundled' Payments Help Slash Health Costs?

USA Today

Oct. 26, 2009

 

Combined, "bundled" payments are getting close attention during the healthcare debate as a way to encourage hospitals and doctors to work together to hold down costs and improve care.

 

Wellness/Chronic Care

 

Managing Disease Without Insurance

The New York Times

Oct. 23, 2009

Americans without health insurance are less likely to know if they have diabetes or high cholesterol than those with coverage, and they’re less likely to keep their high blood pressure under control than the insured.

Reform efforts

 

Next Phase in Health-Care Debate: The Art of the Deal

The Washington Post

Oct. 26, 2009

 

With a growing sense that Democrats may have the votes to pass health-care reform, many participants are now attempting to shape the components of landmark legislation rather than to defeat it.

 

A Lesson From Car Insurance

The Washington Post

Oct. 25, 2009

 

As the proposed $900 billion health-care legislation inches toward the finish line, a critical unknown is whether people would comply with a mandate on individuals to carry insurance, one of the Democrats' primary tools to significantly increase the number of Americans who have coverage.

 

Dems Push for Benefits to Start by 2010

Politico
Oct. 25, 2009

 

Democrats are pushing Senate leaders and the White House to speed up key benefits in the health reform bill to 2010, eager to give the party something to show taxpayers for their $900 billion investment in an election year.

 

Healthcare System Wastes $850 Billion Annually
HealthLeaders Media

Oct. 26, 2009

 

A new independent study released this morning appears to support President Barack Obama's claims that the nation's $2.3 trillion healthcare system is fraught with waste.

 

Employers

 

General Motors Will Move to High-Deductible Insurance Plans

The Wall Street Journal
Oct. 23, 2009

 

General Motors will offer only high-deductible health insurance to its salaried workers starting next year, the latest sign of the way employers are looking to shift some of the burden of rising health costs to workers.

 

Small Business Faces Sharp Rise in Costs of Health Care

The New York Times

Oct. 25, 2009

As Congress nears votes on legislation that would overhaul the health care system, many small businesses say they are facing the steepest rise in insurance premiums they have seen in recent years.

Health Information Technology

 

Electronic Medical Records Not Seen as a Cure-All

The Washington Post

Oct. 25, 2009

 

Bipartisan enthusiasm has obscured questions about the effectiveness of health information technology products, critics say.

Tags: health care reform, Health Policy, Health Policy

Please sign in or register to post a reply.
Contact Us · Privacy Policy