Who really knows Anyone... or anything?!....A Measure of Protection!: Healthcare News Update

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Swine Flu (H1N1): Can a Kitten become a Lion?

In Singapore seventeen cases have been reported and in Australia over 1,200. It is only a matter of time that we [in Southeast Asia] really get hit. Are you ready? Should you be worried? Will millions die such as in the 1918 H1N1 pandemic? Read More

Latest News

Expert physician on "meaningful use" guidelines
Jonathan Teich, M.D., is the Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO) at Elsevier, the world's largest publisher of scientific, technical and medical information. He is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a board-certified attending physician in emergency medicine at Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090616/Expert-physician-on-e2809cmeaningful-usee2809d-guidelines.aspx

HIV Medicine Association supports public plan option to ensure patients' needs are met
As Congress drafts health care reform legislation, HIV clinicians urge lawmakers to include a public plan option to ensure affordable access to comprehensive care for HIV patients - nearly 30 percent of whom have no insurance. The HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) believes that a public plan option can help offer everyone the chance to benefit from early and reliable access to lifesaving HIV care and treatment.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090616/HIV-Medicine-Association-supports-public-plan-option-to-ensure-patients-needs-are-met.aspx

Access issues persist for Indians, rural Americans, immigrants
Several reports today focus on inadequate health care for certain population groups within the United States.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Access-issues-persist-for-Indians-rural-Americans-immigrants.aspx

Physicians wait for health IT guidelines, officials want 'every doctor's office' online
Physicians are still waiting for clear cut rules for how they must use health information technology in order to be eligible for economic stimulus-funded incentives, American Medical News, a publication of the American Medical Association, reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Physicians-wait-for-health-IT-guidelines-officials-want-every-doctors-office-online.aspx

Many key lawmakers hold stakes in health industry
"Almost 30 key lawmakers helping draft landmark health-care legislation have financial holdings in the industry, totaling nearly $11 million worth of personal investments in a sector that could be dramatically reshaped by this summer's debate," The Washington Post reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Many-key-lawmakers-hold-stakes-in-health-industry.aspx

Lawmakers spar over health reform
As the Senate Finance Committee prepares to unveil a health overhaul proposal this week, key players have been weighing in on aspects of potential legislation.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Lawmakers-spar-over-health-reform.aspx

Medical isotope shortage hurts hospitals and disrupts medical tests
Reuters reports that "a North American shortage of medical isotopes has forced many U.S. hospitals to begin rationing scores of diagnostic tests, and doctors said on Friday they see no quick solution."
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Medical-isotope-shortage-hurts-hospitals-and-disrupts-medical-tests.aspx

Maryland hospital fined for not reporting errors
Regulators have fined a hospital in Lanham, Maryland, for not reporting errors. The Washington Post reports that "Doctors Community Hospital in Prince George's County has been fined by Maryland health regulators after failing to notify them that a patient had died and that at least seven others suffered serious harm last year as a result of mistakes by the medical staff.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Maryland-hospital-fined-for-not-reporting-errors.aspx

Obama considers taxing health benefits to pay for reform
As President Obama looks for a way to pay for health care reform in the United States, key Democrats advocate taxing employer-provided health benefits, The Washington Post reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Obama-considers-taxing-health-benefits-to-pay-for-reform.aspx

Medicare tapped for savings to cover reform costs, again
In his weekly Internet and radio address Saturday, President Obama announced a plan to cut $313 billion in Medicare and Medicaid spending over the next decade as a way to raise money for overhauling the health care system and covering millions of the uninsured, the Los Angeles Times reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Medicare-tapped-for-savings-to-cover-reform-costs-again.aspx

Administration could find compromise in 'co-op' plan
"With Republicans fighting the idea of a government-run health insurance plan, members of President Barack Obama's team said Sunday that they are open to a compromise: a cooperative program that would expand coverage with taxpayer money but without direct governmental control," the Associated Press reports. The non-profit, health insurance cooperatives were suggested in Congress by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the concession could be a path to bipartisan health reform legislation (Elliott, 6/15).
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Administration-could-find-compromise-in-e28098co-ope28099-plan.aspx

Obama asks AMA to support health care overhaul efforts
President Barack Obama delivered a speech today to the American Medical Association House of Delegates, which was meeting in Chicago.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/Obama-asks-AMA-to-support-health-care-overhaul-efforts.aspx

MedPAC: Medicare must reinvent its payment systems to improve quality, save money
A low-profile commission that advises Congress on Medicare has renewed its call for lawmakers to reinvent from the ground up the way doctors, hospitals and other providers are paid.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090615/MedPAC-Medicare-must-reinvent-its-payment-systems-to-improve-quality-save-money.aspx

FSAs could end up on chopping block in hunt for health overhaul money
Around Christmas a few years ago, Princeton University economist Uwe Reinhardt was looking forward to a holiday dinner when his wife told him he shouldn't bother setting a place for himself. She had scheduled a colonoscopy for him for the next day.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/FSAs-could-end-up-on-chopping-block-in-hunt-for-health-overhaul-money.aspx

Dartmouth studies influence administration, even in choice of venue
When President Obama chose Green Bay, Wis., to talk about the need for health reform, he did so in part because the area has achieved a high level of quality, and compared with other parts of the country, succeeded in restraining health care costs, National Public Radio reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Dartmouth-studies-influence-administration-even-in-choice-of-venue.aspx

Prevention efforts have little success in reducing illness, cost
As health reform heats up, many lawmakers agree that the government should take a larger role in preventing disease. However, the Wall Street Journal reports that "many previous government prevention efforts aimed at costly chronic diseases have had little success in reducing illness or costs."
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Prevention-efforts-have-little-success-in-reducing-illness-cost.aspx

Obama uses popularity to make case for health reform in Wisconsin
President Obama used his popularity Thursday at a town hall meeting in Green Bay, Wisc., in an effort to help make the case to Americans that a health care system overhaul needs to happen this year, Time reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Obama-uses-popularity-to-make-case-for-health-reform-in-Wisconsin.aspx

Insurers, business owners and doctors increase lobbying as details of health plan emerge
Insurers, business owners, and doctors -- three principal interest groups in health reform -- are stepping up their opposition and lobbying efforts as details of the health plans emerge.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Insurers-business-owners-and-doctors-increase-lobbying-as-details-of-health-plan-emerge.aspx

Democrats prepare for health reform cost analysis while courting GOP votes
What is sure to be a staggering price tag for health reform has Senate Democrats talking about changing the chamber's normal accounting procedures, The Hill reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Democrats-prepare-for-health-reform-cost-analysis-while-courting-GOP-votes.aspx

Oregon legislature passes statewide health reform bills
The Oregon state legislature cleared two reform bills that passed its House of Representatives earlier this week, the Portland Oregonian reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Oregon-legislature-passes-statewide-health-reform-bills.aspx

Michigan hospitals suffer GM's bankruptcy, new Medicaid cuts
Health care could be the next Michigan industry to take a tumble, as hospitals anticipate caring for more uninsured patients in the wake of General Motor's bankruptcy and cuts to the state Medicaid program, the Detroit Free Press reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Michigan-hospitals-suffer-GMs-bankruptcy-new-Medicaid-cuts.aspx

Nursing shortage eases with recession's help
"The nation's deep recession is helping to alleviate the decade-long nursing shortage, as workers who had left the field in better times are returning in droves," the Wall Street Journal reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Nursing-shortage-eases-with-recessions-help.aspx

Medicare reimbursement issues enter health reform debate
New legislation introduced yesterday would attempt to shift Medicare reimbursement policy to reward patient health outcomes, rather than the volume of services provided, MinnPost, a nonprofit online news organization, reports. "We need to be sure to keep score," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who introduced the bill, according to MinnPost. "That means measuring outcomes and rewarding providers that deliver quality results."
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Medicare-reimbursement-issues-enter-health-reform-debate.aspx

Lawmakers want Federal rules to cover home health care workers and end-of-life care
Lawmakers want federal rules to cover home health care workers while Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., plans to introduce legislation in Congress today to better educate the public on end-of-life care.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Lawmakers-want-Federal-rules-to-cover-home-health-care-workers-and-end-of-life-care.aspx

Dodd's wife serving on health care company boards
The wife of Sen. Chris Dodd, a leading player in this year's attempt at health care reform, serves on the board of three health care companies, The Associated Press reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Dodds-wife-serving-on-health-care-company-boards.aspx

A group of health CEOs want to end Medicare fee-for-service payments
A group of more than a half dozen CEOs from some of America's largest health care providers on Friday called for an end to fee-for-service payments under Medicare, and for incentives to create administrative efficiencies to lower costs to help pay for America's health care reform.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/A-group-of-health-CEOs-want-to-end-Medicare-fee-for-service-payments.aspx

Penn conducts largest national study on hospital patient satisfaction as it relates to nurse work environments
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing conclude patients report higher satisfaction in hospitals that offer better work environments for nurses or fewer patients-to-nurse ratios, according to a new study published in today's issue of Health Affairs.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090613/Penn-conducts-largest-national-study-on-hospital-patient-satisfaction-as-it-relates-to-nurse-work-environments.aspx

Putting a price tag on health reform spreads unease
Taxes, fees for business and spending cuts could help lawmakers pay the $1-trillion-plus cost of health reform, but those possibilities have spurred a behind-the-scenes lobbying fight on Capitol Hill, and caused a fair share of anxiety among many interest groups, the Los Angeles Times reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Putting-a-price-tag-on-health-reform-spreads-unease.aspx

CBO Director may help determine fate of health care
Several newspapers had articles on major players in health care reform. Douglas W. Elmendorf, director of the Congressional Budget Office, has "toiled for much of his career in the anonymous bowels of the nation's economic superstructure," the Washington Post reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/CBO-Director-may-help-determine-fate-of-health-care.aspx

Administration to pitch health reform in "model" community
President Obama and top advisers will travel to Green Bay Thursday - "one of the highest-value health communities in the nation" - to promote health reform in a town-hall meeting, the Washington Post reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Administration-to-pitch-health-reform-in-model-community.aspx

Obama "flexible" on all but one issue: passing a reform bill
"President Obama urged lawmakers Wednesday to work through partisan differences that are threatening health care legislation" at a White House meeting, the Associated Press reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Obama-flexible-on-all-but-one-issue-passing-a-reform-bill.aspx

Infighting among Democrats on health care reform
Infighting among Democrats over inclusion of a public plan in health care reform is turning disagreement between moderates and liberals into a "Democratic civil war" with outside groups taking part in the attacks, Politico reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Infighting-among-Democrats-on-health-care-reform.aspx

AMA opposes public insurance plan, as Obama prepares reform pitch
America's largest, most influential physician group said "it will oppose creation of a government-sponsored insurance plan, which President Obama and many other Democrats see as an essential element of legislation to remake the health care system," the New York Times reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/AMA-opposes-public-insurance-plan-as-Obama-prepares-reform-pitch.aspx

Co-operative public plan offers hope for bipartisan bill
A plan to pool the ownership of health insurance into cooperatives owned by groups of residents and small businesses is attracting renewed hopes that a bipartisan public plan bill will pass Congress with wide support, The Associated Press reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Co-operative-public-plan-offers-hope-for-bipartisan-bill.aspx

Democrat bill, FTC examine ways to drive down health care costs
A bill introduced Wednesday in the House would create an artificial joints database to root out bad practices and unnecessary surgeries, The New York Times reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Democrat-bill-FTC-examine-ways-to-drive-down-health-care-costs.aspx

Medicare payment rates cause concern
Legislation in Congress would boost Medicare payment rates for some doctors who claim they are are routinely underpaid for services in California. Meanwhile hearings in South Dakota focus on Medicare reimbursement issues in rural areas.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Medicare-payment-rates-cause-concern.aspx

Use Medicare to hold industry to cost and quality promises
On June 1, leaders of the health care industry reaffirmed their pledge to reform a health care system that is rife with inefficiencies, costs too much, and fails to deliver the quality of care Americans expect.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Use-Medicare-to-hold-industry-to-cost-and-quality-promises.aspx

Obama says the time to fix health care is now
President Obama told a crowd today at a high school in Green Bay, Wis., that health reform will cost "a good deal of money at a time where we don't have extra to spend," according to The Associated Press.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Obama-says-the-time-to-fix-health-care-is-now.aspx

Obama says doing nothing will cost more in long run
President Obama said at a health care town hall meeting at a school in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday that doing nothing on health reform will lead to increased costs and a higher deficit as he challenged critics of Congress' attempt at reform, The Associated Press reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Obama-says-doing-nothing-will-cost-more-in-long-run.aspx

Senate approves legislation to give the FDA power to regulate tobacco
The Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation today that gives the Food and Drug Administration regulatory power to limit nicotine in cigarettes, "drastically curtail" advertising and "ban candied tobacco products" aimed at the young, The Associated Press reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Senate-approves-legislation-to-give-the-FDA-power-to-regulate-tobacco.aspx

Democrats target a dozen GOP senators in quest for health reform deal
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and other Democratic leaders are targeting more than a dozen moderate and conservative Republicans as they pursue a bipartisan deal to extend health care coverage to nearly 46 million uninsured Americans.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Democrats-target-a-dozen-GOP-senators-in-quest-for-health-reform-deal.aspx

Unique study into the health and wellbeing of seniors
A unique Network studying the health and wellbeing of older people is bringing together health, social science and mathematics experts in a revolutionary project which will help shape the long-term provision of health and social care services across the UK and ultimately benefit older people.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090611/Unique-study-into-the-health-and-wellbeing-of-seniors.aspx

Assistive technology reduces the stress of palliative care
In light of this year's Palliative Care Week theme 'If only I knew…finding answers to questions that help us live and die the best we can', Tunstall Healthcare can provide solutions to help support family care commitments and work life balance.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Assistive-technology-reduces-the-stress-of-palliative-care.aspx

KHN's Mary Agnes Carey discusses the latest developments in Senate, House reform bills
Democrats on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee today released their health care reform bill called "Affordable Health Choices Act." Kaiser Health News Senior Correspondent Mary Agnes Carey discusses the bill with the Kaiser Family Foundation's Jackie Judd.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/KHNs-Mary-Agnes-Carey-discusses-the-latest-developments-in-Senate-House-reform-bills.aspx

HELP Committee postpones day of reckoning
Democrats on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions released their health care proposal today, but left out for now the two elements Republicans dislike the most -- a new government-run insurance plan and a requirement that employers provide coverage or pay a penalty.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/HELP-Committee-postpones-day-of-reckoning.aspx

President courts fiscal conservatives in reform push
President Obama is moving quickly to head off opposition to major health care legislation from fiscal conservatives in Congress by vowing to follow strict rules for paying for it without further driving up the already huge deficit.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/President-courts-fiscal-conservatives-in-reform-push.aspx

Baucus: 'effectiveness' part of health-care bill, could reduce health xosts
"Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said Tuesday he expects Senate health-care legislation will include provisions encouraging doctors to compare drugs and therapies for their effectiveness," Dow Jones Newswires reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Baucus-effectiveness-part-of-health-care-bill-could-reduce-health-xosts.aspx

Long term care forms part of health plan
Long-term care plays a role in the Senate HELP committee health plan released Tuesday by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. The Associated Press reports that "Americans would be able to buy long-term care insurance from the government for $65 a month under a provision tucked into sweeping health care legislation that senators will begin considering next week."
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Long-term-care-forms-part-of-health-plan.aspx

Groups want New Jersey to restore immigrant outreach funds
"Immigrant and health-care advocacy groups" are calling on New Jersey to "restore $1 million in funding that has been eliminated in the latest round of budget tightening," the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Groups-want-New-Jersey-to-restore-immigrant-outreach-funds.aspx

House Democrats unveil bill that would create insurance exchange, public plan
House Democrats on Tuesday released an outline of their proposal to reform the health care system that would require that all Americans have insurance and that employers provide coverage or pay a penalty, The Associated Press reports. The bill also emphasized preventive care but omitted details about how to cover the costs.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/House-Democrats-unveil-bill-that-would-create-insurance-exchange-public-plan.aspx

Administration's 'pay-as-you-go' plan will overlook health reform, other health spending
President Obama urged Congress to enact into law tough financial rules requiring them to offset any new spending or taxes, but was clear that where health care is concerned, lawmakers should overlook those rules, Bloomberg reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Administrations-pay-as-you-go-plan-will-overlook-health-reform-other-health-spending.aspx

Reports from the White House and Kaiser Family Foundation address health care disparities
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and White House Health Czar Nancy Ann DeParle held a discussion of minority health issues at the White House yesterday, where Sebelius "said the Obama administration is committed to addressing the 'alarming disparity in the delivery of quality health care'," which she said was necessary to lower costs, the Associated Press reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Reports-from-the-White-House-and-Kaiser-Family-Foundation-address-health-care-disparities.aspx

High-cost Medicare areas worry about looming cuts
The White House's pressure to cut soaring healthcare costs is causing action and concern in high cost Medicare areas, especially South Florida.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/High-cost-Medicare-areas-worry-about-looming-cuts.aspx

Kennedy plan skips contentious issues, still angers GOP
The first detailed health reform proposal "got off to a rocky start Tuesday," as "even moderate Republicans" attacked a draft bill by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Democrats from his Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the Los Angeles Times reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Kennedy-plan-skips-contentious-issues-still-angers-GOP.aspx

Baucus expects new taxes on worker's benefits to be part of reform
Senators will likely pay for at least a portion of the expected $1 trillion-plus health reform price tag by taxing employer-provided health benefits that are significantly more expensive than the basic plan for federal employees, which costs $13,000 a year for a family, the Washington Post reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Baucus-expects-new-taxes-on-workers-benefits-to-be-part-of-reform.aspx

The personalities making news around health reform
Sen. Chris Dodd has taken the reins on health care reform while he juggles other bills and a tough re-election campaign, Roll Call reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/The-personalities-making-news-around-health-reform.aspx

Consensus forming among most Democrats on health reform
Democratic leaders have begun moving the rank and file closer to acceptance of basic tenets of health reform proposals, but concerns remain among the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats on how it will be paid for, Politico reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Consensus-forming-among-most-Democrats-on-health-reform.aspx

Provisions for young, old in Kennedy bill; Senate leaders eye July for bill
Sen. Edward Kennedy's health care reform bill includes provisions to allow elderly people remain in their homes and the young to stay on their parents health insurance until age 26, according to The Associated Press.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090610/Provisions-for-young-old-in-Kennedy-bill3b-Senate-leaders-eye-July-for-bill.aspx

Elective surgery in Canberra a waiting game
According to the latest report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) people living in Canberra wait on average 72 days for elective surgery which is more than double the national average of 34 days.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Elective-surgery-in-Canberra-a-waiting-game.aspx

Seniors seek help with Medicare's 'doughnut hole'
Senior and elderly advocate groups are calling on Congress to get rid of the "doughnut hole" in Medicare's drug benefit as part of the larger efforts to reform health care, according to The Dallas Morning News.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Seniors-seek-help-with-Medicares-doughnut-hole.aspx

Washington's basic health plan raises rates to compensate for budget cuts
Washington state's cash-strapped health insurance program, Basic Health Plan, "is resorting to steep premium increases to achieve what [its officials] were loath to do on their own - expel thousands of working-class people," the Seattle Times reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Washingtons-basic-health-plan-raises-rates-to-compensate-for-budget-cuts.aspx

Senate could vote today on tougher tobacco legislation
The Senate could vote today on tougher tobacco laws that would give the Food and Drug Adminstration power to regulate tobacco.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Senate-could-vote-today-on-tougher-tobacco-legislation.aspx

Kennedy's absence felt as health reform push intensifies
Congressional Democrats seeking leadership are feeling Sen. Edward Kennedy's absence in the looming health care reform debate as he continues his battle with brain cancer, and struggles to return to Washington, The New York Times reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Kennedys-absence-felt-as-health-reform-push-intensifies.aspx

House health bill to include public plan, insurers resisting
On Monday, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D- N.Y., told reporters that the House bill will include a new public insurance plan, Reuters/The Boston Globe reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/House-health-bill-to-include-public-plan-insurers-resisting.aspx

Reform debate circles back to costs, and how to pay for them
In the White House's pitches for health care reform, controlling costs has replaced universal coverage as the leading imperative to overhaul the system. A top White House economist, Christina Romer, said in a public appearance Monday, "Good health care reform is good economic policy," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "Fixing what's wrong with our health care system is no longer a luxury we hope to achieve – it's a necessity we cannot postpone any longer" (Abate, 6/9).
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Reform-debate-circles-back-to-costs-and-how-to-pay-for-them.aspx

California Restaurant Association asks U.S. Supreme Court to weigh employer mandate question
A California Restaurant Association has asked the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of San Francisco's mandate that employers pay for health care coverage for employees, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/California-Restaurant-Association-asks-US-Supreme-Court-to-weigh-employer-mandate-question.aspx

Health reform plans grab spotlight as specifics emerge
President Obama's carefully worded health care reform letter to key Senate Democrats last week highlighted the growing role the president is taking in overhaul efforts, Politico reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Health-reform-plans-grab-spotlight-as-specifics-emerge.aspx

Dodd: Health reform bill lacks detail
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said Tuesday morning that the most contentious issues in health care reform such as a public plan and employer mandate will be left out of a bill for now, Politico reports.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Dodd-Health-reform-bill-lacks-detail.aspx

Baucus: Comparative effectiveness will be in health reform bill
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., says that a comprehensive health reform package - due out from his committee within the next week or two - will include plans to compare the effectiveness of drugs and other medical treatments so Americans can answer the question: "What are we getting for our money?"
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Baucus-Comparative-effectiveness-will-be-in-health-reform-bill.aspx

House Democrats unveil reform outline
CQ reports that details are emerging regarding House Democrats' Plan. "The health care overhaul under development by House Democrats would subsidize insurance premiums for families earning as much as four times the poverty level, while expanding Medicaid and improving its payments to health providers."
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/House-Democrats-unveil-reform-outline.aspx

DeParle, Sebelius: Time to tackle health care disparities
Officials said Tuesday that the time is now to tackle ethnic, economic and gender disparities in health care as they ready a major overhaul of the nation's health care system.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/DeParle-Sebelius-Time-to-tackle-health-care-disparities.aspx

War of words on health reform
The message war on health care continues unabated. A new memo by Democratic pollster Celinda Lake and the Herndon Alliance, a liberal group that backs a sweeping health care overhaul, urges advocates to emphasize that Democratic plans offer "an American solution" that will provide "peace of mind" and "choice" of insurance plans and physicians.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/War-of-words-on-health-reform.aspx

Hospital infection prevention resources cut
Hospitals are cutting staff, resources and education for infection prevention at a time when the prevalence of many healthcare-associated infections is increasing, according to a report released today by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Hospital-infection-prevention-resources-cut.aspx

EU unions send message to ministers on healthcare
"We cannot let market forces run healthcare systems or we will end up with a two-tier system of healthcare delivery."
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/EU-unions-send-message-to-ministers-on-healthcare.aspx

Obama ramping up efforts to overhaul the nation's health care system
President Barack Obama is ramping up his efforts to overhaul the nation's health care system, including devoting his Saturday radio and video address to health reform.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090609/Obama-ramping-up-efforts-to-overhaul-the-nations-health-care-system.aspx

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