Archive | May, 2012

Prescription Drug Ads Drive Up U.S. Health Costs

NPR reports on how prescription drug advertising drives up consumer demand, which drives up medical costs. The story, done in partnership with the public radio program, This American Life, is the third in a three-part series about why American health care costs are so high.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Treads Reform Line Between Dems And Republicans

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is moving between sides in the health care reform debate as he considers a role in national politics and seeks to appeal to his party’s base.

K Streeters Must Choose Sides As Health Debate Nears Showdown

Health industry lobbying groups are positioning themselves for the final battles over health reform, and that will mean formally choosing sides – for, or against – on Democrats’ health-care overhaul, The Hill reports.

House, Senate Democrats To Face Off Over Health Taxes

Kaiser The ‘Cadillac tax’ on employer-sponsored insurance will likely be the focal point of a “fierce clash” between Democrats in the House and Senate if it clears the Senate Finance Committee’s vote today, the New York Times reports.

Senate Finance Committee To Vote Today On Health Care Reform Overhaul

After months of negotiation, haggling, posturing and talking, the Senate Finance Committee votes today on a health care reform bill. The Washington Post reports that the Finance Committee, where Democrats hold a 13-10 edge, will likely report the $829 billion bill out to the full Senate despite misgivings from Republicans and some Democrats.

Blogs Comment On Catholics’ Support For Health Reform, Chicago ‘Bubble Zone’ Law, Other Topics

The following summarizes selected recent women’s health-related blog entries. “Survey of Catholics: Strong Support for Health Reform and Women’s Rights,” Kathleen Reeves, RH Reality Check: A recent

More Employers Demand Workers Prove Dependents Are Eligible For Coverage

The Washington Post reports that some employers are pushing ineligible dependents out of health insurance plans.

Aetna Ends Two Medicare Advantage Programs While A Medicare Experiment Grabs Attention

A health insurer ends two Medicare Advantage programs in Connecticut, while providers nationwide examine a Medicare demonstration program in Texas. The Hartford Courant reports: “Aetna Inc. said that it has terminated two Medicare Advantage plans, affecting about 200 individual plan members in Connecticut.

Is Universal Coverage Goal ‘Slipping Away?’

“As a key Senate committee prepares today to pass its plan to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system, senior Democrats are acknowledging that it may be impossible to provide coverage to all Americans — a central goal of President Obama and his congressional allies,” The Los Angeles Times reports.

Democrats Attack Insurers’ Claim That Health Premiums Will Rise

White House officials and Democratic lawmakers are fighting assertions from insurers that the Senate Finance Committee health bill would push health insurance premiums higher. The Associated Press: “The health insurance industry’s top lobbyist in Washington stood her ground.