Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality News And Numbers: Hospital Charges For The Uninsured Up Substantially

The amount that hospitals charge the uninsured for inpatient care grew by 88 percent between 1998 and 2007, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The average charge for an uninsured hospital stay grew from $11,400 in 1998 to $21,400 in 2007 after adjusting for inflation…

Obama Promotes Health Bill, Asks People To Give It Time To Work

President Barack Obama continued to tout the new health law in an appearance in Maine Thursday. Los Angeles Times: Ihe president said “it would take four years for the overhaul to be fully implemented but that some provisions would kick in quickly…

Health Overhaul Roundup: New Law Will Cover Young Adults, But Details Are Still Vague

Kaiser Health News: A provision of the health law that would allow children up to 26 years old to remain on their parents’ health plans will not become effective until Sept. 23, six months after enactment of the legislation. Because of the delay and other questions about details about implementation, the otherwise consumer-friendly provision is not “giving the new law a public relations boost…

Some Dems Face Criticism At Home For Health Law

Some Americans, angry with health reform, are also worried about the direction the country is headed as Democrats spend the Easter recess touting the new law. The Hill: “Some politically vulnerable Democrats are getting an earful from constituents about their yes votes on healthcare reform…

Mass. Rejects Insurers’ Rate Hikes

Massachusetts regulators denied 235 of 274 requests by health insurance plans to raise premiums because officials view the hikes as excessive, The Boston Globe reports. “The rulings, following a review process set in motion by emergency regulations [Gov. Deval] Patrick filed in February, mark the first time the state has used its authority to turn down health premium increases…

Uninsured In Atlanta Area To Receive Help As Health Care Reform Passes

In light of the passage of health care reform legislation, the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) will hold a large, one-day free health clinic near Atlanta on Saturday, March 27. This clinic is for uninsured people who are in need of medical care now…

A Selection Of Today’s Opinions And Editorials

Mitt Romney, Liberal Icon The New York Times I need to apologize to Mitt Romney. … It’s now becoming clear that he’s the man we have to thank for our new national health care law. (Gail Collins, 3/31). Historic Health Reform Can’t Hide Congress’s Black Eye The Washington Post This is a country that is feeling the pinch…

GOP Challenger In Stupak’s District Capitalizing On Health Reform Vote

Since the March 21 vote on health reform legislation (HR 3590), interest in Dan Benishek’s Republican primary campaign for Rep. Bart Stupak’s (D-Mich.) House seat has “surged,” allowing Benishek to increase fundraising and expand his campaign infrastructure, Politico reports…

Democrats, Republicans Vie To Claim Public Opinion About Health Reform

News outlets are focusing on politicians’ efforts to boost or oppose the health reform law. USA Today: “A week after Congress passed President Obama’s 10-year, $938 billion health care plan, lawmakers from both parties are spending their spring break trying to turn the historic legislation to their political advantage…

More Big Companies Report Charges Spurred By Health Law

News regarding the health law’s early impact on large companies – millions of dollars in lost tax exemptions – is continuing to emerge. CNNMoney: “Boeing (BA, Fortune 500) became the latest company to disclose that the law, which was signed by President Obama last week, will negatively impact its financial results…