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The effort to enact comprehensive health care reform has been accompanied by calls from Congress and the Obama Administration for elimination of the exemption from federal antitrust laws that health insurers have enjoyed since the passage of the McCarran-Ferguson Act in 1945. While the fate of comprehensive reform is now in question, repeal of the antitrust exemption may become even more likely, as legislators scramble to pass at least some of the more popular elements of the legislation. However, repeal may have a less significant impact on the health insurance industry than either its advocates or its opponents expect. | Health care reform efforts may spell end of antitrust exemption for health insurers - but potential impact of change is unclear | | 1/29/2010 | Keenan, Michael | Yes | 1/29/2010 1:33 PM | 233 |
| | Top 10 Benefits of Health Reform that Every American Should Know About | http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2010/01/top-10-health-reform-benefits.shtml | | 1/22/2010 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 1/22/2010 6:48 PM | 231 |
| | Reasons that Health Insurance reform is vital for America
| http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2010/01/news-of-the-day-health-insuran.shtml | | 1/22/2010 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 1/22/2010 6:51 PM | 232 |
| | The GOP victory ends the 60 vote supermajority needed by the Democrats to pass the controversial health reform legislation. | GOP Win in Massachusetts Senate Race May Hamper Health Reform Legislation | | 1/21/2010 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 1/21/2010 2:10 PM | 229 |
| | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says there are not enough votes to pass the Senate's health reform bill in its current form. | Pelosi Says Senate Bill Cannot Pass in House | | 1/21/2010 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 1/21/2010 6:00 PM | 230 |
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Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is suing HealthNet for security breaches. This is the first action by a state AG involving violations of HIPAA since the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) authorized state attorneys general to enforce HIPAA. Click the link for AG Blumenthal's release. | http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=2341&Q=453918 | HIT and EMR | 1/15/2010 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 1/15/2010 3:13 PM | 228 |
| | President Obama's weekly address outlines the benefits of health reform. Click the following White House link for more. | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/weekly-address-president-obama-outlines-benefits-health-reform-take-effect-year | | 1/12/2010 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 1/11/2010 11:43 PM | 223 |
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As of January 1st, additional low-income seniors are eligible for Medicare's "extra help" program due to a new method of calculating seniors' assets. Click the following link for more. | http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100108/ap_on_bi_ge/us_medicare_twist;_ylt=ArlBBIjclxHoybrK7FYQ66dI2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTJvbzVvZ211BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMTA4L3VzX21lZGljYXJlX3R3aXN0BHBvcwMxOARzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNkcnVnYmVuZWZpdGU- | Medicare/Medicaid Reimbursement | 1/12/2010 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 1/11/2010 11:48 PM | 224 |
| | Click the following link for a press release from the Committee on Education and Labor commenting on a report that Health Reform legislation will create millions of jobs for Americans. | http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2010/01/new-report-shows-health-reform.shtml | | 1/12/2010 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 1/12/2010 5:28 PM | 225 |
| | The Committee on Education and Labor released a press statement on the US General Accountability Office's findings on the increases in prices for brand name drugs. Click the link for the full press release. | http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2010/01/news-of-the-day-us-gao-finds-e.shtml | | 1/12/2010 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 1/12/2010 5:31 PM | 226 |
| | The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is soliciting proposals and recommendations for developing new safe harbor provisions for the federal anti-kickback statute. Click the following link for the Dec. 29, 2009, Federal Register (74 Fed. Reg. 68762). | http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30560.pdf | Fraud and Abuse | 1/12/2010 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 1/12/2010 5:38 PM | 227 |
| | Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discusses how health reform will provide security and stability for American families. | Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Remarks | | 1/8/2010 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 1/8/2010 10:07 AM | 222 |
| | Substantial differences between the Senate and House Legislation make reconciliation difficult. | Difficult Negotiations for Final Health Bill | | 1/4/2010 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 1/4/2010 5:20 PM | 221 |
| | For President Obama's Remarks on the Passage of the Health Insurance Reform click on the link below: | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-senate-passage-health-insurance-reform | | 12/30/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 12/30/2009 9:27 PM | 220 |
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House Reps acknowledge the differences between the Senate and House bills but they "commend [their] colleagues in the Senate for this crucial vote, which brings health reform closer to reality than at any time in the past 70 years.... Both bills will slow the growth of out-of-control health care costs and reduce the deficit by over $100 billion in the first ten years - and by much more in the second decade." For a complete copy of the letter, see: | http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1865:waxman-rangel-miller-statement-on-senate-health-reform-vote&catid=122:media-advisories&Itemid=55 | | 12/24/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 12/24/2009 2:50 PM | 217 |
| | U.S. Senate passes "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" by a vote of 60 to 39. See the below link for a release by Senator Harkin, which begins: "Our legislation has a simple goal: decrease the number of uninsured, increase access to affordable care and make insurance companies more accountable." The release goes on to include a list of immediate benefits which include: 1) Access to Affordable Coverage for the Uninsured with Pre-existing Conditions, 2) Access to Quality Care for Vulnerable Popoulations, 3) No Pre-existing condition Exclusions for Children, and 4) Closing the Coverage Gap in the Medicare (Part D) Drug Benefit. | http://help.senate.gov/Maj_press/2009_12_24.pdf | | 12/24/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 12/24/2009 3:02 PM | 218 |
| | For a complete copy of the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" as approved by the Senate. | http://democrats.senate.gov/reform/patient-protection-affordable-care-act.pdf | | 12/24/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 12/24/2009 3:07 PM | 219 |
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Over the past several years, the government has recovered billions of dollars from pharmaceutical companies for alleged fraud and abuse activities, such as off-label promotion, anti-kickback violations, and false claims for government reimbursement. The emphasis on health care reform and new legislation expanding government resources to combat fraud and abuse likely means more scrutiny over the pharmaceutical industry and an increase in similar fraud and abuse cases. | Health care reform likely to increase scrutiny on pharmaceutical industry | | 12/23/2009 | Keenan, Michael | Yes | 12/18/2009 3:34 PM | 214 |
| | For a copy of the Senate's Health Care Reform Bill: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, see: | http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/111909%20patient-protection-affordable-care-act.pdf | | 12/22/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 12/22/2009 12:24 PM | 216 |
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AMA issues a letter of support for Senate passage of H.R. 3590, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” as amended. H.R. 3590, which the AMA describes as "mak[ing] important strides toward providing affordable, high-quality health care coverage to all Americans." The AMA urges all Senators to support the passage of the Bill. For a copy of the letter see: | http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/health-system-reform/ama-supports-hr-3590.shtml | | 12/21/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 12/21/2009 6:59 PM | 215 |
| | Rolled into a 2010 defense measure bill that the House passed is a measure to delay the 2010 Medicare physician fee cuts until March 2010. Click the link for more. | http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/Washington-Watch/17583 | | 12/18/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 12/18/2009 2:18 PM | 213 |
| | The Senate Committee on Finance has released a statement on the growth of national health care spending. Click the link for the full press statement.
| http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb121409.pdf | | 12/16/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 12/16/2009 10:49 PM | 211 |
| | The Senate Committee on Finance has issued a press release on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, outlining consumer protections, investments in wellness and prevention, access to quality care and tax credits. Click the link to read the release.
| http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb121509a.pdf | | 12/16/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 12/16/2009 10:52 PM | 212 |
| | The letter is signed by 50 state medical societies and 68 national physician organizations. Click the link to read the text of the letter.
| http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/399/hsr-sgr-sign-on-15dec2009.pdf | Medicare/Medicaid Reimbursement | 12/15/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 12/15/2009 10:20 PM | 208 |
| | The Associated Press reports on comments made by Senator Reid on the Medicare "doughnut hole." The Senate bill only goes part of the way towards closing the doughnut hole. Click the link for the full AP release.
| http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091215/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul;_ylt=AmHuykyajAh7TSb_kKdg6X9p24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTJ0Yzdyc21pBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMjE1L3VzX2hlYWx0aF9jYXJlX292ZXJoYXVsBHBvcwMxBHNlYwN5bl9wYWdpbmF0ZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2RlbXN3ZWlnaGRybw-- | | 12/15/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 12/15/2009 10:30 PM | 209 |
| | The Council of Economic Advisers has released a new report - the Economic Case for Health Care Reform: update. The report claims that reform will reduce premiums, lower public and private health care spending, and increase workers’ wages. Click the link for the full report. | http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/091213-economic-case-health-care-reform.pdf | | 12/15/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 12/15/2009 10:34 PM | 210 |
| | Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming) discuss the results of the report of the Chief Actuary for CMS on the overall financial effects, coverage effects, and national health expenditures effect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009. Click on the link below for the press release. | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg121109d.pdf | | 12/11/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 12/11/2009 6:52 PM | 205 |
| | Click on the link below to see the Office of the Actuary memorandum on "Estimated financial effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009." | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg121109e.pdf | | 12/11/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 12/11/2009 7:07 PM | 206 |
| | Click on the link below to see the Office of the Actuary memorandum on "Estimated Effects of of the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" on the Year of Exhaustion for the Part A Trust Fund, Part B premiums, and Part B Coinsurance Amounts. | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg121109f.pdf | | 12/11/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 12/11/2009 7:10 PM | 207 |
| | Please click on the link below to read Senator Harkin's remarks from the Senate Floor. | http://help.senate.gov/Maj_press/2009_12_06.pdf | | 12/8/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 12/8/2009 8:17 PM | 201 |
| | Please Click on the link below to review the Floor Statement of Senator Max Baucus Regarding
Preserving America’s Fiscal Future through
Health Care Reform.
| http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb120409.pdf | | 12/8/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 12/8/2009 8:21 PM | 202 |
| | Senator Grassley has asked 33 medical groups for information about the financial backing they get from the pharmaceutical, medical device and insurance industries. Senator Grassley is working to pass reform legislation he has sponsored with Senator Herb Kohl requiring annual public reporting by drug, device and biologic manufacturers of payments made to physicians nationwide. Click on the link below for more information.
| http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg120809b.pdf | | 12/8/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 12/8/2009 8:29 PM | 203 |
| | Please click on the link below for the Floor Statement of Sen. Chuck Grassley Supporting the McCain Motion to Commit on Medicare Advantage.
| http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg120709b.pdf | | 12/8/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 12/8/2009 8:30 PM | 204 |
| | HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued a statement regarding a recent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office about the impact of health care reform on businesses. | Statement on Benefits of Health Insurance Reform for Businesses | | 12/4/2009 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 12/4/2009 3:49 PM | 200 |
| | Click to read a summary of proposed health care legislation and commentary from the American Medical Association. | AMA Summary of Health Care Legislation | | 12/3/2009 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 12/3/2009 11:30 AM | 199 |
| | Senator Harkin reacts to a new report demonstrating the significant financial hardship to unemployed Americans paying for COBRA coverage. | Senator Harkin Calls for Permanent Healthcare Fix | | 12/2/2009 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 12/2/2009 4:13 PM | 198 |
| | Senator Grassley believes that members of Congress and Congressional staff should get their employer-based health insurance through the same exchanges that would be created for the rest of the country under the proposed legislation. | Senator Grassley Exposes Carve-Out in Reid Health Care Bill | | 12/1/2009 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 12/1/2009 4:58 PM | 197 |
| | The Department of Health and Human Services has issued state by state reports on health care reform. Click on the link below to read the reports: | http://www.healthreform.gov/healthcarestatus.html | | 11/24/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 11/24/2009 9:11 PM | 195 |
| | The House has voted to reform the Medicare Physician Payment. Click below to access the press release from the Committee on Energy and Commerce: | http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1831:house-passes-reform-of-medicare-physician-payment-system&catid=122:media-advisories&Itemid=55 | | 11/24/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 11/24/2009 9:13 PM | 196 |
| | The Ranking Members staffs of the Senate Finance Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions released an "Executive Summary" on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Summary available at: | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg111909.pdf | | 11/20/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 11/20/2009 2:33 PM | 192 |
| | Congress passes H.R. 3961, the “Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009." The Bill is not before the Senate. For additional information and the position of the American Medical Association, see | http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/health-system-reform/house-passes-hr3961.shtml | | 11/20/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 11/20/2009 2:37 PM | 193 |
| | Congress passes the "Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act" (H.R. 3961) that would permanently reform the Medicare physician payment system by a vote of 243-183. The bill repeals a 21 percent fee reduction scheduled for January 2010 and replaces the physician payment formula with a system that ends the cycle of threats of fee cuts followed by short term fixes. For a copy of the Bill and a summary, see: | http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1831:house-passes-reform-of-medicare-physician-payment-system&catid=122:media-advisories&Itemid=55 | | 11/20/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 11/20/2009 3:10 PM | 194 |
| | President Obama announces the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In his release, the President explains that the "Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the bill will reduce the deficit by $127 billion over the next ten years and as much as $650 billion in the decade following, saving hundreds of billions while extending coverage to 31 million more Americans." | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-obama-patient-protection-and-affordable-care-act | | 11/19/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 11/19/2009 9:15 AM | 190 |
| | From the floor of the Senate, Senator Grassley questions the proposed role of the IRS under the various health bills being considered. For the transcript, please see: | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg111809b.pdf | | 11/19/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 11/19/2009 12:48 PM | 191 |
| | Senator Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance gave a floor statement on November 10th regarding health reform and unemployment in America. Click the link for more. | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg111009a.pdf | | 11/12/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/11/2009 11:17 PM | 188 |
| | The Committee on Energy and Commerce addresses myths that the Affordable Health Care for America Act undermines Medicare and Veteran's benefits. Click the link for more. | http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1815:veterans-and-health-reform-fact-sheet&catid=122:media-advisories&Itemid=55 | | 11/12/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/11/2009 11:19 PM | 189 |
| | HealthReform.org discusses the costs of living with Diabetes in America and how health reform may help. Click the link for more. | http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/diabetes/index.html | | 11/11/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/11/2009 11:02 PM | 187 |
| | The American Medical Association voted on health system policies. Click the link for more from the AMA. | http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/health-system-reform/ama-continues-hsr-commitment.shtml | | 11/10/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/10/2009 10:11 PM | 185 |
| | Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to reduce healthcare-associated infections at Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). Click the link for more. | http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/11/20091110a.html | | 11/10/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/10/2009 10:22 PM | 186 |
| | The House of Representatives has approved the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Click below for more from the American Medical Association. | http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/09/gvl11109.htm | | 11/9/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/9/2009 10:00 PM | 179 |
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The inclusion of a public option in the health reform bill passed by the House of Representatives sparks commentary. Click the link for more from the American Medical Association. | http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/09/edsa1109.htm | | 11/9/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/9/2009 10:05 PM | 180 |
| | Click the link below to read President Obama's statement on the Affordable Health Care for America Act, passed by the House of Representatives. | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-house-passage-health-insurance-reform-legislation | | 11/9/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/9/2009 10:06 PM | 181 |
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The Affordable Health Care for America Act passed in the House of Representatives on November 7th. Click the link below for a statement from the Committee on Education and Labor. | http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2009/11/house-makes-history-on-health.shtml | | 11/9/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/9/2009 10:11 PM | 182 |
| | Click the link below for the Committee on Energy and Commerce's response to the House passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The piece provides some highlights of the Act. | http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1814:house-makes-history-on-health-reform&catid=122:media-advisories&Itemid=55 | | 11/9/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/9/2009 10:13 PM | 183 |
| | Click the link below for a short summary of the House passed health care reform act, provided by the Department of Energy and Commerce. | http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/health_care/hr3962_SUMMARY.pdf | | 11/9/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 11/9/2009 10:15 PM | 184 |
| | Click on the link below to read the AMA's letter of support to Speaker Pelosi. | http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/399/hsr-ama-pelosi-letter.pdf | | 11/6/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 11/6/2009 11:50 AM | 177 |
| | Click on the link below to read the President's remarks. | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-announcements-aarp-and-ama | | 11/6/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 11/6/2009 12:00 PM | 178 |
| | The Committee on Education & Labor releases a statement on CBO estimates, claiming the estimates confirm the Democratic health reform bill will succeed in controlling costs: "Today the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released estimates confirming that H.R. 3962 — the Democratic health reform bill — will succeed in controlling costs that will be reflected in individual and family premiums. CBO found that by 2016, premiums will be $5,300 for an individual and $15,000 for a family of four in the Exchange. This is well below the $24,000 family premium expected if Congress fails to act and premiums grow as projected under current law." Please click on the link below to view the rest of the press release. | http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2009/11/cbo-affirms-hr-3962-will-contr.shtml | | 11/4/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 11/4/2009 6:32 PM | 174 |
| | Click on the link below to read Senator Grassley's November 2, 2009, Floor Statement, which reads, in part, "If we look at the specifics of the bill reported by the HELP Committee or the House bill released last week, I don’t see how you can call it anything but a government takeover."
| http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg110209a.pdf | | 11/4/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 11/4/2009 6:45 PM | 175 |
| | HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius calls states and communities to join with HHS to find and enroll the 5 million children who are currently eligible for Medicaid or the CHIP, but are not yet covered. Click on the link below to read the full press release. | http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/11/20091104a.html | | 11/4/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 11/4/2009 6:49 PM | 176 |
| | Will Health Reform help Small Businesses? Click here to read to report: | http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/smallbusiness2/index.html | | 10/30/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 10/30/2009 10:14 AM | 170 |
| | The Department of Labor outlines the provisions of the Affordable Health Care for America Act to provide access to affordable health care. Click here to learn more about the Act: | http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/10/affordable-health-care.shtml | | 10/30/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 10/30/2009 10:18 AM | 171 |
| | | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-small-businessess-and-health-insurance-reform | | 10/30/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 10/30/2009 10:23 AM | 172 |
| | Senator Grassely offers some Questions and Answers regarding the tax impact of Health Reform. Click on the link below to find out more: | http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/grassley.htm | | 10/30/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 10/30/2009 2:25 PM | 173 |
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The House issues a statement concerning its commitment to permanent reform in Medicare physician payments. "Fair payment and strong physician participation are essential for the stability of Medicare and to maintain access to care for its beneficiaries." For the entire statement, see: | http://waysandmeans.house.gov/news.asp?formmode=release&id=955 | | 10/22/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 10/22/2009 6:19 PM | 169 |
| | See the below link for a discussion on the rising cost of health care coverage and the effects on America's businesses: | http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/smallbusiness/index.html | | 10/21/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 10/21/2009 7:49 PM | 168 |
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The Senate Judiciary Committe voted to approve legislation that would prohibit brand-name drug manufacturers from entering into agreements with generic drug companies designed to keep cheaper generic equivalents off the market. | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg101509a.pdf | | 10/20/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 10/21/2009 7:45 PM | 167 |
| | The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to approve of legislation that is intended to prohibit agreements among drug companies that would keep inexpensive generic drugs off the market. Click the link below for more information. | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg101509a.pdf | | 10/16/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 10/16/2009 5:14 PM | 165 |
| | Click the link below for more. | http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/health-system-reform/ama-medicare-campaign.shtml# | | 10/16/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 10/16/2009 5:17 PM | 166 |
| | Senate to vote on the Medicare PHysicians Fairness Act of 2009 which would eliminate Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and laythe foundation for establishing a new Medicare physician payment update system. Click the American Medical Association link below for more. | http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/health-system-reform/bulletin/15oct2009.shtml | | 10/15/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 10/15/2009 5:03 PM | 164 |
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President Obama has commented on the Senate Finance Committee's vote to approve health insurance reform. Click below for the text of the President's comments. | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-the-Senate-Finance-Committees-Vote-to-Approve-Health-Insurance-Reform/ | | 10/14/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 10/14/2009 1:10 PM | 161 |
| | Click the link below for the text of US Reps Waxman, Rangel and Miller's statement. | http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2009/10/waxman-rangel-miller-statement.shtml | | 10/14/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 10/14/2009 1:13 PM | 162 |
| | Senate Finance Committee has approved Senator Baucus' health reform bill, America's Healthy Future Act. Click the link below for the Senate Finance Committee's release on the vote. | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb101309b.pdf | | 10/14/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 10/14/2009 1:16 PM | 163 |
| | Senator Chuck Grassley, member of the Committee on Finance, made comments on the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the effects of tort reform proposals. For the text of Sen. Grassley's comments, click the link below. | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg100909.pdf | | 10/13/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 10/13/2009 5:55 PM | 159 |
| | In his weekly address, President Obama praised leaders from all spectrums on their support and emerging consenus of health care reform. For more from whitehouse.gov, click the link below. | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Weekly-Address-President-Obama-Praises-Emerging-Consensus-on-Health-Insurance-Reform/ | | 10/13/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 10/13/2009 5:58 PM | 160 |
| | Read the full text of America's Healthy Future Act, as amended by the Senate Finance Committee. | America's Healthy Future Act | | 10/6/2009 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 10/6/2009 3:50 PM | 158 |
| | President Obama explains how the rising costs of health care are stifling America's small businesses, and how reform will strengthen these businesses and the economy. | President Obama Explains How Health Insurance Reform Will Strengthen America’s Small Businesses | | 10/5/2009 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 10/5/2009 4:40 PM | 157 |
| | The Sentate Finance Committee rejected two proposals to create a government health insurance plan to compete with private insurers. | Senate Finance Committee Rejects Public Option Proposal | | 9/30/2009 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 9/30/2009 5:00 PM | 155 |
| | The Senate Finance Committee unanimously supported an amendment introduced by Senator Grassley which requires members of Congress to access health insurance through the plan created by Health Care Reform legislation. | Members of Congress Will Obtain Health Insurance Through Plan Established By Reform Bill | | 9/30/2009 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 9/30/2009 5:15 PM | 156 |
| | The Senate Finance Committee is likely to vote on the inclusion of a public health insurance option when the committee reconvenes on Tuesday. To read the complete article, click on the link below: | Senate Finance Committee To Vote On Public Option | | 9/28/2009 | Santeramo, Brooke | Yes | 9/28/2009 12:56 PM | 154 |
| | President Biden, addressing a group of Insurance Commissioners, recently discussed the burden of increasing health insurance premiums on American families. To view his remarks click on the link below: | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/WHITE-HOUSE-Report-The-Burden-of-Health-Insurance-Premium-Increases-on-American-Families/ | | 9/25/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 9/25/2009 8:55 AM | 151 |
| | To follow the recent mark-up activity on the Health Reform Act, click on the link below: | http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1687&catid=156&Itemid=55 | | 9/25/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 9/25/2009 9:00 AM | 152 |
| | Today, the Finance Committee continues its hearings on the Health Reform Act. For statements regarding today's hearings, click on the link below: | http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearing092509.html | | 9/25/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 9/25/2009 2:05 PM | 153 |
| | The Department of Health and Human Services explains how health care reform could impact cancer treatment. | http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/fightingcancer/index.html | | 9/22/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 9/22/2009 9:20 PM | 148 |
| | Read Senator Baucus and Sentator Grassley's Statements at Today's Hearing on the American's Healthy Future Act. To access the Statements, click on the following link: | http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearing092209.html | | 9/22/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 9/22/2009 9:27 PM | 149 |
| | CMS issued a letter today warning an insurer not to provide misleading information to seniors about the impact of health reform. To read the letter, click on the link below: | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb092109a.pdf | | 9/22/2009 | Bourque, Jodi | Yes | 9/22/2009 9:31 PM | 150 |
| | The Committee on Finance issued a press release which lists some of the proposed immediate relief for families and small businesses contained in the American's Health Future Act. The release is available at: | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb091609c.pdf | | 9/18/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 9/18/2009 2:06 PM | 145 |
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CMS plans to establish a demonstration program that enables Medicare to join Medicaid and private insurers in state-based advanced primary care initiatives. | http://www.healthreform.gov/newsroom/factsheet/medicalhomes.html | | 9/18/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 9/18/2009 2:24 PM | 146 |
| | The AMA issues comments regarding the American's Healthy Future Act applauding the efforts of Chairman Baucus and pledging to continue its involvement in the legislation. | http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/health-system-reform/comments-finance-bill.shtml | | 9/18/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 9/18/2009 2:37 PM | 147 |
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Senator Baucus and the Senate Finance Committee release a $856 billion health care reform proposal that would require individuals to be insured, reform the private insurance system, expand Medicaid and create a healthcare exchange system, amongst other things. A copy of the bill is available at: | http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/091609%20Americas_Healthy_Future_Act.pdf | Coverage of Uninsured;Proposed Legislation | 9/16/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 9/16/2009 11:54 AM | 144 |
| | In his weekly address, President Obama discussed the Treasury Department's report on the instability of American's health insurance coverage. The report concluded that approximately half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage for some period of time in the next 10 years. The report also found that about 1/3 of Americans will go without coverage for more than one year. The President's remarks are available at: | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Weekly-Address-President-Obama-Highlights-New-Treasury-Report-on-Instability-of-Health-Insurance-in-America/ | | 9/14/2009 | Schnipper, Michael | Yes | 9/14/2009 1:57 PM | 143 |
| | The AMA has issued a release expressing its reaction to President Obama's September 9th address on health system reform. Click the link below for more. | http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/health-system-reform/obama-health-reform-address.shtml | | 9/10/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 9/10/2009 3:58 PM | 137 |
| | On September 9th, President Obama addressed Congresson the issue of Health CareReform. Click the link below for the White House's release of the address. | http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-to-a-Joint-Session-of-Congress-on-Health-Care/ | | 9/10/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 9/10/2009 4:01 PM | 138 |
| | Chariman Waxman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce has issued a statement on President Obama's address to Congress on health care reform. Click the link below for more. | http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1736:chairman-waxmans-statement-on-president-obamas-address&catid=155:statements&Itemid=55 | | 9/10/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 9/10/2009 4:05 PM | 139 |
| | Chairman Baucus of the Committee on Finance has issued a statement following President Obama's address to Congress on health care reform. Click the link below for more. | http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb090909a.pdf | | 9/10/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 9/10/2009 4:07 PM | 140 |
| | A new report has been published on the recent losses of employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. The report, available at healthreform.gov, also addresses how health care reform may help the situation. For more, click the link below. | http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/insurance/index.html | | 9/10/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 9/10/2009 4:11 PM | 141 |
| | Secretary Sebelius will deliver an address on health insurance reform and discuss a recently published report on employer-sponsored insurance coverage. For Secretary Sebelius' remarks as prepared for delivery, click the link below. | http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/09/20090910c.html | | 9/10/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 9/10/2009 4:14 PM | 142 |
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Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a radio actuality previewing President Obama's September 9th health care address to Congress. To download the actuality from healthreform.gov, click the link below. | http://healthreform.gov/newsroom/index.html#Actuality | | 9/9/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 9/9/2009 3:13 PM | 136 |
| | AMA has sent a letter to Congress outlining seven critical elements of Health Reform and urging Congress to reach an agreement this year on health system reforms. For more, click the link below. | AMA letter to Congress September 8, 2009 | | 9/8/2009 | Simone, Rebecca | Yes | 9/9/2009 10:26 AM | 135 |
| | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a new report on the importance of health insurance reform for older women (ages 55-64) and senior women (ages 65 and older). The press release and a link to the report can be found by clicking on the link below. | http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/09/20090903a.html | Coverage of Uninsured | 9/4/2009 | Maleson, Lindsay | Yes | 9/4/2009 1:03 PM | 134 |