January 20: Health Care Reform News
Ex-Mayo CEO: Health plan lacking
The former head of the Mayo Clinic said the health-reform bills making their way through Congress fall short because they focus too much on insurance reform without emphasizing quality health care.
Denis Cortese, Mayo's former chief executive officer who now is an Arizona State University faculty member, said that the House and Senate reform proposals don't address health challenges such as inefficient care and spiraling costs…
In Arizona, Mayo stopped taking Medicare patients at its clinic in Glendale. Medicare patients will be required to pay cash if they want to continue care at that clinic. Mayo officials said they made the switch because the government insurer pays too little.
Arizona Republic by Ken Alltucker, 1/19/10
TOP STORIES
Democratic Defeat Imperils Health Care Overhaul
The New York Times
January 20, 2010
Scott Brown's decisive Senate victory in Massachusetts imperiled the fate of the Democratic health care overhaul as House Democrats indicated they would not quickly approve a Senate-passed health care measure and send it to President Obama.
Additional Coverage
Democrats Ponder Health Care Reform Plans in Wake of Massachusetts Senate Race - The Washington Post
GOP Victory Upends Senate - The Wall Street Journal
White House Warns Against Dropping Health Care as Party Grows Skittish -The Huffington Post
Fallout: Dems Rethinking Health Bill - Politico
Gut Check for Obama and Democrats on Health Care – The Associated Press
The Status Report: Obama and Health Care Reform
Brookings
January 20, 2010
History will judge President Obama on whether health care reform succeeds.
TRANSPARENCY/SAFETY
Transparency Sought in Health Care Talks
The Washington Times
January 20, 2010
C-SPAN is now not the only major news organization to make a formal request that talks on health care reform legislation occur in the open, as promised by President Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign.
STATE NEWS
Federal Health Care Foes Plot for State Opt-Outs
The Washington Times
January 20, 2010
Lawmakers in 30 states are pressing for constitutional amendments to exempt individuals from the requirement to purchase health care, a pivotal piece of the legislation under debate in Congress.
Wisconsin Senate Votes to Expand Malpractice Claims
The Chicago Tribune
January 20, 2010
The Wisconsin Senate has approved a bill that would allow for more medical malpractice claims against health care providers.
REFORM EFFORTS
Democrats Ponder Triage on Health Reform
The Wall Street Journal
January 20, 2010
House Democrats signaled their most feasible alternative for health care reform was to pass the Senate version of the bill and later put through additional modifications that require fewer votes to clear the Senate.
With New GOP Strength in Senate Will Obamacare Die in House?
The Washington Examiner
January 20, 2010
The most important number in politics is 218 - as in, can House Speaker Nancy Pelosi amass a majority of 218 votes for House Democrats to pass the health care bill already approved by the Senate?
Delay Could Give Senate Options
The Boston Globe
January 20, 2010
Although a two-week swearing-in delay could give Democrats in Congress time to devise a strategy for passing health care before Brown arrives, some Democrats were balking at such a move and said it would further erode voter confidence in the party.
Just Another Massachusetts Miracle
The New York Times - Op-Ed
January 20, 2010
With Scott Brown as the next junior senator from Massachusetts, the message for Democrats is: “it won’t much matter”? at least in terms of health care reform.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
“Silent Pandemic” Will Force Drug Price Rethink
Reuters
January 20, 2010
A "silent pandemic" of chronic disease is creeping up on poor countries and will force pharmaceutical firms to take a more tiered approach to pricing some of their most lucrative medicines.
EMPLOYERS
More Employers Unhappy with Health Insurers
Healthleaders Media
January 20, 2010
U.S. employers are less satisfied with health insurers, especially against the backdrop of tough economic times, according to a study released today by the PricewaterhouseCooper’s Health Research Institute.
HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Apple’s Tablet is for the Health Care Industry
Tinycomb.com
January 20, 2010
Apple has been quietly ensuring the instant success of their "tablet" device, and has been targeting their first major paying customer for the device - the health care industry.
Technology Improvements Key to Health Care Reform
The Pittsburgh Business Journal
January 20, 2010
Health care reform is not possible without major improvements in how information is accessed, stored, and moved.
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