January 15: Health Care Reform News
TOP STORIES
Accord Reached on Insurance Tax for Costly Plans
The New York Times
January 15, 2010
The White House, Congressional leaders and labor unions reached agreement on a proposal to tax high-cost health insurance policies, resolving one of the major differences between the House and the Senate over far-reaching health legislation.
Additional Coverage
White House Nears Deal on Health Care - The Washington Post
Unions Cut Special Deal on Health Taxes - The Wall Street Journal
The White House and the Unions Have a Deal - Time
White House Scores Key Labor Deal - Politico
Massachusetts Vote Could Threaten US Health Reform
Reuters
January 15, 2010
Voter disenchantment in liberal Massachusetts with President Barack Obama's policies has turned a Senate election into a nail-biter that could imperil U.S. health care reform.
‘Cadillac’ Tax on Hatchback Care?
The Boston Globe
January 15, 2010
The proposed Senate health bill’s surcharge on high-cost plans could eventually end up hitting middle class, hard.
STATE NEWS
Plan to Cover Health Care for Needy is Unfair
Minneapolis Star Tribune
January 15, 2010
Hennepin County, MN, officials said a plan to charge Minnesota counties extra to cover health care for their neediest residents would have an unfair impact on the state's largest county and biggest public hospital.
MEDICARE/MEDICAID
Hey, Doctors: Walgreens Also Says Medicaid Doesn’t Pay Enough
The Wall Street Journal
January 15, 2010
Walgreens is threatening to stop filling Medicaid prescriptions at 64 of its 121 pharmacies in Washington State because of state cuts in payments.
REFORM EFFORTS
Obama Pledges Campaign for Health Care Bill and Democrats
The Washington Post
January 15, 2010
With unemployment hovering in the double digits and House Democrats eager to move on to the politically crucial task of job creation, President Obama pledged Thursday to publicly champion the health care legislation that in the past year has consumed much of their attention and often made them targets.
Additional Coverage
Obama Soothes Anxious Dems - Politico
‘Very Angry’ Democrats Sound Alarm - Politico
The Health Lady Has Yet to Sing
The Wall Street Journal - Op-Ed
January 14, 2010
A vote flip now would be an invitation to be singled out, a la Blanche Lincoln, as the individual who brought the nation ObamaCare.
Democrats See Progress on Health Care Bill Compromise
USA Today
January 15, 2010
President Obama agreed to soften a proposed tax on high-cost insurance plans, but work continues on several remaining sticking points in the health care legislation including the thorny issue of abortion.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Democrats Seek Added $10 Billion from Drug Firms
The Wall Street Journal
January 15, 2010
Congressional Democrats finalizing a health overhaul have asked drug companies to contribute an additional $10 billion and possibly more over a decade to help cover the cost.
Health Care Reform Should Put an End to Pay-For-Delay by Drug Companies
The Washington Post - Op-Ed
January 15, 2010
A loophole in existing law allows manufacturers of brand-name drugs to pay competitors to keep cheaper, generic versions off the market. If there's to be health-care reform this year, it ought to close that loophole.
Obama Talks Biotech Treatment Protections with Dems
Politico
January 15, 2010
President Obama told House Democrats he wants to reduce the amount of time certain biotechnology treatments are protected under an agreement in both the House and Senate bills.
Like
Helpful
Hug