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Economic Scene: Wishing for a Health Care Plan That Cuts Costs
Mar 10, 2010 — New York Times
Hospitals that committed certain medical errors — harmful, costly errors — would face financial penalties. So I agree that health reform should do more to reduce spiraling medical costs. Mainly, the subsidies appear to benefit drug makers, hospitals and insurers.
Health care ad cyclorama to clog airwaves
Mar 10, 2010 — USA Today
Health care costs will go even higher, making a tough economy worse. Stop this health care bill we can't afford to pay."The Chamber would not list the 17 states in the ad buy. He says Obama's bill doesn't do enough to drive down health care costs. "It's a missed opportunity," he says.Yahoo!
In Ad, Democrats Cite G.O.P. Indifference to High Health Costs
Mar 10, 2010 — New York Times
Romney, as he and the White House go toe-to-toe over who is responsible for the rising cost of health care.
Activists picket at health insurance conference
Mar 9, 2010 — CNN
Howard Dean, a prominent backer of reform legislation. The protest came one day after President Obama tore into health insurance companies for recent rate increases. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has asked to address the insurance conference this week, Gibbs noted.
Bennet Reinforces His Left Flank
Mar 9, 2010 — Politico
Manu RajuFacing a fierce primary challenge from the left, Colorado Democratic Sen. A former superintendent of Denver public schools, Bennet entered Washington as a relative unknown, appointed by Gov. They point to initiatives that might not be popular with liberals.
Immigrant rights group slam Obama, Democrats for slow action with legalization bill
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
No reelection," Emma Lozano, executive director of the Chicago-based Centro Sin Fronteras, told reporters.White House officials said the president will be meeting soon with Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) to discuss the bipartisan immigration bill. But since then our president, our Congress members, have been in a deep sleep.
Insurers open conference amid hostile atmosphere
Mar 9, 2010 — The Hill
...to insurance companies, the latest of which went out Monday, and pulled their executives into the White House for meetings. In a letter to Ignagni on Tuesday, Sebelius asked to speak at the AHIP conference Wednesday morning.Obama himself dropped by a sit-down between Sebelius and insurance representatives last week to read aloud from a letter written by a cancer survivor facing a 40 percent premium increase.The Obama administration has been going hard at the insurance industry for...
Letters: With slim hope for deal, tactic needed to pass health bill
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
With slim hope for deal, tactic needed to pass health bill Reggie Marselus - Lenexa, Kan. The actions of Democrats in Congress concerning health care reform point to the inherent dangers of the unlimited powers of a majority. About 70% of U.S. citizens have an unfavorable opinion of this health care bill.
Lifelock Pays $12 Million to Settle False Advertising Claims
Mar 9, 2010 — New York Times
Lifelock’s customers were left vulnerable to having their current accounts misused, the most common form of the crime. In an interview, Todd Davis, the Lifelock chief executive, said that the company had adopted a new advertising campaign that complied with the trade commission’s request. After he began broadcasting his Social Security number, dozens of attempts were made to secure credit or identification using the information.
O.C. sheriff seeks contract to house federal detainees
Mar 9, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
The jails were chosen because they have dorm-like facilities that are preferable to cells for holding the detainees. Orange County has substantial excess capacity in its five jails. But Hutchens and others stressed that those releases were made to conform with a new state law and are not related to budget cuts. Until last week, the Sheriff's Department's policy had been that male inmates must serve at least 80% of their time before release.
Obama back on the campaign trail, this time for health care
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
This time, the goal is not the White House, but a final health care bill. We were sent there to solve the big challenges." As with any campaign, average Americans speak at Obama's rallies to discuss their health care problems. The health care campaign also has its share of political intrigue.
Obama launches attack on health insurance companies
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Broad majorities of insured people say they are satisfied with their coverage, according to Washington Post-ABC News polls. Only one in eight say insurance would improve if the health-care system were changed.But that relative satisfaction coexists with anxiety. She said she favors nationwide minimum standards for regulating insurers.
Obama takes hard-sell health pitch to Pa.
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
Obama is trying to win over centrist Democrats, including at least five here in Pennsylvania."It's hard for some members of Congress to make this vote. There's no doubt about that," Obama said. Louis to sell his plan, which would step up insurance regulation and extend coverage to 31 million people.
Obama, back on the 'campaign trail' Wednesday
Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
President Obama hits the health care campaign trail again tomorrow, this time to the St. Today's number is $1,115, which the White House says is "the average premium for employer-sponsored family coverage per month in 2009. Of course, White House officials aren't the only ones using campaign-style rhetoric around the health care debate.
Obama, Insurers Wrestle Over Rates
Mar 9, 2010 — Politico
But, mostly, the two groups seemed to talk past each other, attendees said.The one bit of intrigue came when Obama dropped in for an orchestrated moment via anecdote. The president read a letter he had received from Natoma Canfield, who saw her premiums increase by 40 percent this year. She asked Obama to keep fighting for reform.The White House later released a picture of Obama reading the letter, and press secretary Robert Gibbs tweeted, “Ms.
Senate Panel to Investigate Deaths at Long-Term Care Facilities
Mar 9, 2010 — New York Times
The Senate Finance Committee has opened an investigation into patient deaths and allegations of substandard treatment at long-term care hospitals, small specialty medical centers that treat chronically ill patients. The committee has substantial power over long-term care hospitals because it oversees Medicare. Medicare has few levers against long-term care hospitals — or any hospitals.
State Insurance Experts See Flaw in Obama's Plan to Curb Health Premiums
Mar 9, 2010 — New York Times
State officials worry that they would be left to police the solvency of health insurance companies while federal officials pressured insurers to reduce premiums, as Mr. Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of health law and policy at George Washington University, said federal regulation of insurance rates was overdue. Kofman defended her decision, citing the overall financial health of the company, as well as its income from individual insurance products.
Support for Northrop Grumman tax incentives waning in D.C.
Mar 9, 2010 — Washington Post
Robert F. McDonnell (R) sent late legislation to both houses of the General Assembly aimed at drawing the firm. The bills would allow the Governor's Opportunity Fund, an economic development grant program that can be spent only on public infrastructure, to be used to renovate private buildings as well. The company is considering lots at Fourth and E streets SW and Sixth and E streets SW near Nationals Park.
Whip Check Time
Mar 9, 2010 — Politico
Obama and the Democrats are bold efforts to put people back to work. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.).”SPEAKING OF EMERSON AND TANNER …Retiring Democratic Rep. Tanner contributed $2,000 from his PAC to Republican Rep.
A pivotal week begins
Mar 8, 2010 — Washington Post
Every year, they drop more people's coverage when they're sick and need it most. How many more Americans have to lose their health insurance?" Obama said. "How many more businesses have to drop coverage?
Amendment favors Puerto Rico in fight over rum excise tax
Mar 8, 2010 — The Hill
Jay HeflinA lobbying fight over Caribbean rum subsidies could come to a head this week if Sen. More than 90 percent of the $500 million in annual payments would go to Puerto Rico if the LeMieux amendment is successful. The Virgin Islands’ share would increase under the current subsidy payment system, however, as more distillers move there.An aide to Sen.
Better diets and exercise are part of cardiac rehab's success rates -- so why aren't more seniors taking advantage?
Mar 8, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
Barry Franklin, director of cardiac rehabilitation at Beaumont Hospitals in Michigan.Yet physicians routinely fail to refer heart patients for these services. Each time a patient comes in, his blood pressure is tested and his heart rate is monitored with a continuous electrocardiogram. At the Mayo Clinic, it's about $160 for up to 90 minutes of intensive outpatient services.
Bridge Gap For Vets In Private Sector
Mar 8, 2010 — Politico
Unemployment hit a high of 10.2 percent in October 2009. On average, six unemployed Americans vie for every job opening today. There are nearly 185,000 unemployed Iraq and Afghanistan veterans — almost as many as are deployed in the two wars.
Chicago Tribune Greg Burns column
Mar 8, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
Greg Burns Mar. 8, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Times sure seem tough in the trucking business. They're concerned about everything from pollution levels to an unfair financial burden if the development obtains tax increment financing. Otherwise, she said, "It doesn't belong.
DHS corrects report that overstated ICE deportations under Obama
Mar 8, 2010 — Washington Post
S. Hsu and Nurith AizenmanBy Spencer S. Hsu and Nurith AizenmanMonths after reporting that the number of illegal immigrants deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement increased 47 percent during President Obama's first year in office, the Department of Homeland Security on Monday corrected the record, saying the actual increase in removals and "voluntary returns" was 5 percent.The 387,790 illegal immigrants removed by ICE in fiscal 2009 was still a...
Durbin to insurance companies
Mar 8, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
Can't do it." David Kogan owns DKP Image + Media in the West Loop. He said health insurance rates for three employees went up from $926 a month in 2005 to $2,516 in 2008. In 2009, the business downgraded to two employees: himself and his son.
Fat American children
Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
In Alaska, poor children were only 1.2 times more likely to be overweight or obese than better-off children. It means adding the physical health burden of obesity to the already existing burdens of poverty and discrimination. How might public health, health insurance and school programs play a role?
Fat American children: many causes, a lifetime of effects
Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
What are some of the biggest factors that are linked to kids becoming overweight and obese? In Alaska, poor children were only 1.2 times more likely to be overweight or obese than better-off children. What other factors might contribute to kids becoming overweight or obese?
Health insurance rate hikes are par for the course
Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
Individual policyholders remain the most vulnerable to health insurance rate increases. When insurers raise rates, they'll usually offer alternative plan options, McLean says. Watch out for insurance policies that apply preexisting exclusions, warns Fish-Parcham.
In campaign-style stop, Obama champions healthcare
Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
The visit was more of a campaign-style rally than the recent town-hall-style events. "The time for talk is over," Obama said. "We need to see where people stand. The House will first act to pass a Senate version of healthcare, then some modifications that go to the Senate. What were you doing?" In his speech, Obama repeated his oft-used platform of why healthcare changes are needed now.
Lebanon, at peace, braces for war
Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
The Lebanese government has complained about Israeli overflights, but its troops haven't shot anything down. It succeeded in forcing Syria to withdraw from Lebanon in 2005 and in holding free elections in 2005 and 2009. Lebanon's political structure is as traditional as it's ever been: Government jobs are allocated by religious sect.
Lessons from the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit vote
Mar 8, 2010 — Washington Post
The Republican leadership froze the clock for three hours while they desperately whipped defectors. Democrats spoke of its repeal in the months after its passage but are now strengthening it in the health-care reform bill. Republicans, meanwhile, were so confounded by Medicare's popularity that they authored and passed a massive expansion of the entitlement state.
Letter To The Editor, March 8, 2010
Mar 8, 2010 — Politico
The baby boomers are starting to collect Social Security. He should veto piecemeal extensions of expiring Bush tax cuts, insisting instead on comprehensive reforms. Even if it doesn’t, we will have averted Stockman’s meltdown and accelerated the economic recovery.
Memo From Quimper: Absorbing The Blows That Buffet Europe
Mar 8, 2010 — New York Times
As part of a nationwide rescue package, Paris accelerated payments and tax reimbursements, deferred taxes, handed out subsidies for each worker still employed and provided credit guarantees for small-business loans. France’s economy was never as hard-charging as Germany’s competitive, export-driven economy, which suffered badly when consumption dropped worldwide. “We’re an artisanal product in a niche market,” said Michel Merle, HB-Henriot’s director general.

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