Health Care For America Now

NEWS

Insurance plan lets customers shop nationally; erosion of consumer protections predicted - Associated Press

John McCain's health plan would bring about a dramatic shift in how millions of people get health insurance coverage. He would let people shop around for plans offered by insurers in other states. New Yorkers could look to Alabama, for example, or any other state when shopping for coverage.

Businesses Wary of Details in Obama Health Plan - The New York Times

Dave Ratner, owner of Dave’s Soda and Pet City, is pretty sure he is about to get “whacked” by the new state law that requires employers to contribute to health care benefits for their workers or pay a $295-per-employee penalty. In order to avoid thousands of dollars in fines, Mr. Ratner is considering not adding part-time workers at his four pet supply stores in Western Massachusetts.

Hospitals ease ER crowding with ward beds in halls - Associated Press

There's no phone and no television. Only a screen offers privacy. But heart patient Edward Gray understands why the hospital put him in a cardiac unit hallway.

Pharmaceutical Industry Spends More Than $13M on Ads 'Thanking' Lawmakers Who Supported SCHIP Legislation - Kaiser Family Foundation

The pharmaceutical industry has paid $13.2 million for television advertisements that "thank" 28 federal lawmakers — 25 of whom are Democrats — who supported the 2007 SCHIP expansion legislation, the Wall Street Journal reports. The ad campaign is "an example of how interest groups are already adjusting to the prospect of stronger Democratic control of Congress in 2009," and of how "after years of donating overwhelmingly to Republicans, the pharmaceutical industry is now splitting campaign contributions between the political parties," according to the Journal.

OPINION

WSJ Is Confused About Obama’s Health Plan - Think Progress

The Wall Street Journal released an editorial on Saturday with the outrageous argument that Sen. Barack Obama’s “own health-care advisers support plans much like Mr. McCain’s,” which replaces the current employer-based coverage tax preference with a straight tax credit, “or at least they did before joining up with Mr. Obama.” The Journal’s erroneous claim rests on the fact the Obama advisors Jason Furman and David Cutler – like other notable Democratic voices in health care arena – have commented that tax credits could be part of health reform and that our current tax exemption for health insurance could (or should) be revamped. Sen. McCain has called for tax credits and eliminating the health insurance tax exemption on income taxes.