GOP sees Walz's First District seat as ripe for picking
Republicans aiming to win back control of Congress in November see bright prospects around places like Bill's Hardware in Minnesota Lake, where owner Georgia Neubauer wonders what the health care overhaul will mean to her business and the seven employees…
The answers that emerge in the coming months could bear heavily on a key congressional race in Minnesota's First District, a sprawling patch of rural heartland represented by DFLer Tim Walz…
Mayo factor
Walz, for his part, believes the health care legislation has more support in his district than the Republicans -- and some national polls -- suggest. His biggest ace-in-the-hole may be the influential Mayo Clinic, the world-renown medical provider and major Rochester employer. "Where I may be unique in the country is because of that loud, overwhelming voice of Mayo," Walz said. "Their presence is always there."
Star Tribune, by Kevin Diaz, 4/2010
TOP STORIES
Why The Fate of Health Reform Lies in States’ Hands
The Washington Post
April 2, 2010
Though reform opponents have derided the Affordable Care Act for being a federal takeover of the health care system, the new health law actually leaves a lot up to the states.
New Health Initiatives Put Spotlight on Prevention
The New York Times
April 4, 2010
Amid all the rancor leading up to passage of the new health care law, Congress approved a set of wide-ranging public initiatives to prevent disease and encourage healthy behavior.
U.S. Wealthy Lack Easy Loopholes to Offset Obama’s Tax Plan
Business Week
April 5, 2010
Because the new health care legislation applies a 3.8 percent Medicare tax on unearned income such as realized capital gains, dividends, interest, rents and royalties, the capital gains tax will rise to 23.8 percent in 2013.
Insurance Pool to Offer Reduced-Rate Coverage
The New York Times
April 5, 2010
In one of its first steps to carry out the new healthcare law, the Obama administration announced that it was establishing a temporary insurance pool where uninsured people with medical problems could buy coverage at reduced rates.
INSURANCE
Health Care Reform Leaves Out Illegal Immigrants
The Associated Press
April 5, 2010
The question of whether to extend coverage to illegal immigrants was so politically contentious that, under the approved legislation, they will not even be able to buy health insurance in the newly created purchasing pools called exchanges even if they pay entirely out of their own pocket.
TRANSPARENCY/SAFETY
America’s Youth Divided on Health Care Reform
The Huffington Post
April 4, 2010
A recent poll to American teens revealed an overall consensus (57%) that was pleased by the bill's passing even with skepticism and confusion about the benefits to be derived from the legislation.
WELLNESS/CHRONIC CARE
Potential Risk to Blood Supply Probed
The Wall Street Journal
April 5, 2010
An infectious virus linked to two diseases is drawing the attention of public-health officials who are investigating the potential threat to the nation's blood supply.
STATE NEWS
No Clarity on Charity Care Pushes Hospitals, Lawmakers to Create Definitions
The Chicago Tribune
April 5, 2010
The lack of a clear definition of charity care is putting nonprofit hospitals in a bind, as Illinois has never defined how much charity care is needed to be considered a nonprofit hospital.
Californians Take Generally Positive View of Health Care Reform
The Los Angeles Times
April 5, 2010
By a margin of 46% to 29%, California voters surveyed said they would be more likely to vote for a politician who had supported the health bill and just over half the pollsters said they believed the country would be better off because of the bill.
Health Tax May Wallop Massachusetts’ Towns
The Boston Globe
April 5, 2010
Massachusetts municipalities that offer employees, retirees, and elected officials the most generous and costly health insurance plans will feel the squeeze of the new national health care law's tax on "Cadillac" insurance plans.
In Colorado, Health Care Debate Reverberates in Congressional Race
The Washington Post
April 5, 2010
Rep. Betsy Markey was one of just eight House members who switched their votes from 'no' to 'yes' on the health care bill; her vote left the endangered incumbent in an even more precarious position.
Spring Forecast: Incivility with a Chance of Rage
Politico
April 5, 2010
If the experience of New Hampshire’s two Democratic House members is any indication, the raw emotion and mistrust emanating from last summer’s congressional town halls never really went away.
REFORM EFFORTS
Video: The Uphill Battle for Health Care
The Wall Street Journal
April 5, 2010ill Battle for Health
The Journal Editorial Report panel discusses legal, political and economic fallout from the health-care overhaul.
Obama’s Uphill Battle Continues
The Washington Post - Op-Ed
April 5, 2010
President Obama’s health care victory marked the beginning of a new phase in the administration's political struggles, not a final triumph.
The Tea Partiers: Hating Big Brother
The National Journal Magazine
April 3, 2010
What's driving the ferocious backlash against health care reform? It is fear of the abusive power of Big Government.
Health Care Reform Final Package Ensures More Funding for Primary Care
American Medical News
April 5, 2010
Physicians who provide primary care to patients are among those the federal government will single out for more support under the final health system reform package that is now the law of the land.
Lessons from the Health Care Wars
The Prospect
April 5, 2010
Activism on the ground creates pressure for bolder reform and gives liberal elected officials more room to maneuver.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Health Populi
April 5, 2010
The two ends of the prescription drug cost-continuum drove growth in Rx spending in 2009: expensive specialty drugs and low-cost generics.