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At town hall meetings across the U.S., congressional Democrats have met with unruly crowds ready to voice their concerns over the health care overhaul. Even Alabama’s conservative Democrats, who oppose the current legislation, haven’t escaped the wrath. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
As the economy has worsened, community health centers – which provide free and reduced-cost care to millions of Americans – have felt the pinch . Facilities, such as the Walker-Jones Health Center in Washington D.C., will have even more patients if Congress passes a health overhaul that expands coverage.
Across the country, doctors are experimenting with a health care model that puts the focus on individualized, preventive care. In so-called medical homes, doctors are rewarded for using longer visits, phone calls and e-mails to keep patients healthy. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
While health reform legislation includes additional funds for community health centers, proposals to expand health coverage to the underserved and uninsured could overwhelm facilities that already provide reduced-cost care to 18 million people.
John Castellani, president of Business Roundtable, said in a conference call Thursday morning that his group is seeking a health care reform bill that is funded largely through cost savings inside the system, preserves ERISA and stops cost-shifting.
If the possibility of lesser reform doesn’t motivate liberals, then maybe something else will: the possibility of no reform.
In just the last few weeks, Karen Ignagni, the health industry’s chief lobbyist, has faced Democratic accusations that insurers are “villains” and “immoral.” In an interview with KHN, Ignagni discussed her take on the Democratic political assault, her industry’s end-game strategy and her unflagging opposition to a public plan.
Some Massachusetts policymakers want to end the tradition of paying health care providers a separate fee for every service they provide. They say paying fees for every visit, test and procedure ordered is the main reason Massachusetts’ health care costs are the highest in the nation. This story comes from our partner NPR News
For the tens of thousands of individual insurance agents nationwide, proposed changes to the health care system could radically alter how they do business.
In interviews, two agents talk about how they are bracing themselves for the post-reform environment. One thinks her fellow agents are too complacent, the other says “in every adversity, there is opportunity.”
A trade group says insurers only make 1 cent off every dollar spent on health care. But that figure measures insurer profits against all the money pumped into the U.S. system. Economists say profits are traditionally calculated by how much insurers spend versus how much money they take in.
On a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning, Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans, said the “Washington politics as usual” of finger pointing at health insurers is hurting the process of trying to forge consensus on health reform.
On a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning, Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans said the “Washington politics as usual” of finger pointing at health insurers is hurting the process of trying to forge consensus on health reform.
Many voters agree the current system is broken, but the “confusing babble” from D.C. sounds worse.
Obama and congressional leaders hope to reduce health care spending by promoting prevention to catch disease early. But some insurance and health officials say such efforts-although laudable-may not cut overall health costs.
Jackie Judd talks with Eric Pianin about the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s vote last Friday, wrapping up its work on major health care legislation, before Congress adjourns for the August recess.
Jackie Judd talks with Eric Pianin about the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s vote last Friday, wrapping up its work on major health care legislation, before Congress adjourns for the August recess.
While states and the federal government struggle to update Medicaid though a maze of waiver programs and patches to an increasingly outdated law, their efforts are a little like trying to add disc breaks and electronic ignition to a 1965 Plymouth. It is, in the end, still a 1965 Plymouth.
NPR’s Linda Wertheimer talks with Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of PhRMA, the biggest trade association for the prescription drug industry.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers will offer their constituents very different takes on pending health care legislation during the August recess. Democrats will say the bills will “hold insurance companies accountable” and guarantee lower costs and more choice, while the Republicans will warn against a government takeover that will undermine competition and drive up costs.
An agreement between the House leadership and conservative Democrats sparked protests from states worried about higher Medicaid costs and liberals upset about the paring back of subsidies.
