Health Care For America Now

NEWS

Obama's Health Care Agenda Arrives In Washington - Forbes

President George W. Bush spent his first year focused on education, culminating with the passage of the No Child Left Behind bill. Barack Obama appears poised to do the same with health care.

The Public's Health Care Agenda for the New President and Congress - Kaiser Family Foundation

This survey captures the public's attitudes regarding the health care agenda for President-elect Obama and the new Congress in 2009. It assesses the relative priority placed on health care by the American public as part of addressing the economic recession and as a large scale reform issue. The public's priorities for health care reform and their views on a range of other health policy issues are presented.

Children's health insurance bill advances - Boston Globe

A key Senate committee voted yesterday to expand a children's health insurance program to cover an additional 4 million uninsured children. The vote came one day after the House overwhelmingly supported a similar measure.

Public wary of health reform trade-offs - Kansas City Star

Prospects for health reform drop significantly when Americans hear potential financial trade-offs associated with expanding health insurance coverage, a poll indicates.

PhRMA CEO Tauzin Expresses Opposition to Government Negotiating Medicare Drug Prices - Kaiser Family Foundation

Allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of beneficiaries could reduce the number of drugs the program offers and result in higher costs for beneficiaries, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America President and CEO Billy Tauzin said Wednesday, CQ HealthBeat reports. According to Tauzin, Medicare now offers access to thousands of drugs because the program relies on private-sector competition. Tauzin, speaking at a media roundtable, said, "When you put the government in the process you freeze out the private sector." He added that lower-than-expected monthly Medicare prescription drug benefit premiums and lower-than-estimated costs to the federal government show that Congress should not change the program.

According to the media, one of the more contentious aspects of Obama's health care plan is how much if any businesses who don't provide health care to their employees would be required to pay to help support a public insurance program.

According to a new report released today from the Main Street Alliance, 73% of small business owners said they're happy to chip in. 63% said they would be willing to contribute as much as 4-7% of their total payroll costs.

Though the conventional wisdom says businesses, especially small businesses, are against the kind of health care reform proposed by President-elect Obama and Health Care for America Now, clearly, that's not the case. Some other findings from this report:

• 59% of small business owners support a reform plan with a choice of public or private options
• 75% say there should be more oversight of private insurers
• 70% see a strong role for government in guaranteeing health care for all

These findings really shouldn't be surprising. The majority of Americans receive health insurance through their employer, and most employers at least partially subsidize this insurance. Businesses, especially small businesses, are being crushed by skyrocketing costs, especially at a time when they're being squeezed from the other end with falling revenues and profits due to the worsening economy.

As I covered months ago, big business leaders are getting on board for health care reform. now it seems small businesses, the engines of our economy, are on board as well.

Health care is economic stimulus. If we can relieve the strain on businesses by providing quality, affordable health care to everyone at lower cost, we'll be well on our way towards getting our economy back on track.

NEWS

UnitedHealth settlement could affect insurance costs nationwide - Minnesota Public Radio

UnitedHealth Group Inc. will close much-criticized databases health insurers use to set payment rates and help launch a new one to settle a fraud investigation, which could help millions of patients pay less for "out-of-network" care.

Obama, Reid take dead aim at Medicare HMOs - The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had no qualms expressing his low opinion of private health insurance plans in Medicare.

House Votes to Expand Child Health Insurance - Washington Post

The House easily approved an expansion of government health coverage for low-income children yesterday, a top priority for President-elect Barack Obama and the first in a series of stalled measures expected to move quickly through the Democratic Congress as President Bush leaves office.

American Benefits Council Releases Report With Health Care Reform Recommendations - Kaiser Family Foundation

Proposals to reform the U.S. health care system should have a strong federal framework, maintain the current employer-sponsored health insurance system and include a requirement that all residents obtain at least basic coverage, according to a report released on Monday by the American Benefits Council, CQ HealthBeat reports (Nylen, CQ HealthBeat, 1/12). The report includes about 40 policy recommendations for health care reform proposals (CongressDaily, 1/13).

Examining the Health Consequences of the 2008-09 Recession - George Washington University

A new report by The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (GW/SPHHS) spells out the potential health consequences of this, and other aspects of the recession. It also reviews proposals that are part of federal efforts to stimulate an economic recovery, and that would help to reduce impoverishment, strengthen access to health care, and protect the health of more Americans.

H.R. 2, the bill that will hopefully protect the health care coverage of 6 million children and extend it to 4 million more just passed the House of Representatives.

Of course, we here at Health Care for America Now are ecstatic, and we're hoping for swift passage in the Senate as well. This is the first step towards health care for everyone.

The fact that a bill like this is even required in this country points to the desperate need for quality, affordable health care coverage for everyone. As the Los Angles Times reported today, the recession is hitting state health care programs extremely hard:

The unprecedented cuts in public assistance come as millions of Americans are losing their jobs and health insurance.

In many cases, the cuts are so deep that even the massive federal rescue package being assembled on Capitol Hill may not be enough to restore services being eliminated in the burgeoning crisis, health officials warn.

Giving health care to 10 million children will be no small feat, but it's clearly not enough. As more people lose their jobs, and by extension, their health insurance; as premiums continue to rise to the point even those with good jobs and benefits can't afford health care; as state budgets get squeezed tighter and tighter; more and more families will need coverage. This bill only helps some members of those families.

So, let's pass this bill, and let's keep move on from this piece to finishing the entire puzzle.

NEWS

Baucus introduces SCHIP bill as House readies vote - The Hill

The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday will consider legislation to extend and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) announced Tuesday.

The Great Health Care Bailout - ABC News

"Bailout" conjures up an act of desperation to keep a sinking boat afloat. For our financial system, we're all wondering if "bailout" is plugging holes in the hull or just throwing good money after bad.

Stark: Health Care Reform Can Happen This Year - TPM

Just talked to a spokesman for Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), a powerful subcommittee chief in House Ways and Means, who wanted to make the congressman's stance on health care reform crystal clear. Although a report last month suggested that Stark believes a major health care bill could wait until early next year, his spokesman reiterated that the congressman is ready for a reform push before the 2010 midterm elections intrude on the political scene.

Divided We Fail Launches Next Phase Of National Campaign To Fix America's Health And Economic Crises - Medical News Today

Today leaders of the country's top consumer, business and labor groups launched the next phase of Divided We Fail, a national movement to bring health and financial security to every American.

Struggling states cut healthcare for poor before Obama can bolster coverage - Los Angeles Times

The unprecedented reductions come as millions are losing their jobs and insurance. They are so steep that the federal rescue package may not be able to revive them.

Republican Task Force To Lead GOP Health Care Reform Efforts - Kaiser Daily News

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday named a group of senior Republican senators to lead GOP health reform efforts in the 111th Congress, CQ HealthBeat reports (CQ HealthBeat, 1/12). The senators are Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee ranking member Mike Enzi (Wyo.), Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Budget Committee ranking member Judd Gregg (N.H.) and Orrin Hatch (Utah).

Health Care for America Now is working with DC for Obama, the local grassroots organization who volunteered during the campaign, to throw an advocacy summit this Saturday, January 17th.

The purpose of the summit is fairly simple, and extremely important. The summit will be a gathering place for folks who volunteered for Obama and who are now committed to helping pass his agenda. Summit participants will meet and build connections with over Obama activists from all over the country and learn how to effectively advocate for legislation from some of the best in the business.

By allowing folks to meet each other and start talking specifically about advocacy, these connections will strengthen Obama's national grassroots network. We're hoping the connections made at this summit will translate into working relationships across the country for moving Obama's agenda through Congress and winning public opinion all over America.

On the health care front, Richard Kirsch, Health Care for America Now's National Campaign Director and Judy Feder, health care expert, Georgetown professor, and senior adviser at Kaiser Family Foundation will be speaking. There's an all-star lineup for other issue areas, too:

• Ilyse Hogue, Campaign Director, MoveOn
• Celinda Lake, President, Lake Research Partners
• Khalid Pitts, Director of Strategic Campaigns, SEIU
• Michael J. Wilson, International Vice President, UFCW
• Dean Baker, Co-Director, Center for Economic and Policy Research
• Mike Signer, Senior Policy Advisor and Director of the Homeland Security Presidential Transition Initiative, Center for American Progress
• Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, Chair, Environmental Advisory Board of Green Mountain Energy™
• Mary Giovagnoli, Director of Advocacy, National Immigration Forum

So, if you're going to be in town for the inauguration, come, participate, and help us make the connections we'll need to pass Obama's agenda! Click here for more info or to get your ticket. Space is filling up fast!

NEWS

Seeing Red - Kaiser Health News

The Rising Costs of Care And a Failing Economy Drive More Americans Into Medical Debt

Health insurer accused of overcharging millions - MSNBC

UnitedHealth Group agrees to a $50 million settlement after investigation

WellPoint Suspended From Adding Members to Medicare Programs - Wall Street Journal

WellPoint Inc. has been suspended from adding people to its Medicare programs by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as the company moves to remedy undisclosed compliance problems uncovered in audits by both parties.

Legislating the Legacy of a Lion - Roll Call

In an ironic twist of political fate, the precarious state of Sen. Edward Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) health has transformed President-elect Barack Obama’s plan to reform national health care into a legacy project capping a nearly 50-year Senate career.

Congress Set to Renew Health Care for Children - New York Times

Congress is poised to give President-elect Barack Obama a quick victory by passing a bill to provide health insurance to millions of low-income children.

Open Secrets has the shocking figure:

Most industry players this year will be fighting off increased regulation and may oppose a requirement that drug companies disclose all of their gifts and payments to doctors. They'll also be trying to prevent the FDA from being able to ban direct-to-consumer advertising for new drugs. The pharmaceutical industry has been sending representatives to knock on Congress member's doors, spending $171.7 million on lobbying in the first nine months of 2008. When the year-end lobbying reports come in for 2008 on Jan. 20, they will likely show that the industry spent more in '08 than the $225.9 million it spent the year prior.

And that's not even including campaign donations.

And the health sector is weighing in even more heavily, well over $300 million:

The health sector as a whole could find this a year of many changes, and doctors, nurses, insurance companies and hospital execs are also making sure they're heard on Capitol Hill. The health sector spent $150 million on campaign contributions in the 2008 election cycle, more than the $123.7 million it spent in 2003 and 2004. It spent $365.1 million on lobbying in the first three quarters of 2008.

As Open Secrets explains, that money, once given primarily to Republicans, is now tilting towards Democrats. Of course, this isn't a surprising development. Corporations are inherently conservative bodies - they like the status quo and they want as much influence with whoever is in power as possible.

However, these numbers do give you an idea of what we're up against. Though the drug and insurance industries have been making noises about "supporting" Obama/Health Care for America Now-style reform this time around, I have serious doubts. Obama's proposals would certainly end their monopolies and cut into their profits by forcing them to compete on a level playing field with a public plan. And let's not forget that these companies, packed with ideological conservatives, will no doubt view health care reform as the death knell for the Republican party, a la Bill Kristol in 1993.

As this campaign goes on, we'll be doing our best to follow the money and make sure the public understands what drug and insurance companies are doing on Capitol Hill. But no matter how much transparency we bring to the table, $300 million is a lot of money to fight.

NEWS

Daschle and Democrats to Get a Dose of Pharma's Medicine - Open Secrets

Former Sen. Tom Daschle had an easy time today before the Senate panel that's considering his nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services, but he's likely to encounter far stiffer opposition to the Obama administration's plans when the job of reforming health care is officially his. The Washington Post used CRP data today to analyze the pharmaceutical industry's strategy in preparing for what could be a bruising fight. Part of the strategy, shifting its campaign contributions to Democrats, began soon after the party gained control of Congress in 2006. In the 2008 election cycle, an unprecedented 49 percent of the traditionally Republican-leaning industry's $26.7 million in contributions went to Democrats. Compare that to the last presidential election in 2004, when Republicans collected 66 percent of the $17.8 million that pharmaceutical companies gave.

The Botox Bubble - Slate

The health care industry was supposed to be recession-proof. So why is it in trouble?

Democrats set vote to tighten health gap - Washington Times

Party hopes to give Obama an early victory on SCHIP

COBRA Too Costly for Many Unemployed, Report Finds - Washington Post

The cost of buying health insurance for unemployed Americans who try to purchase coverage through a former employer consumes 30 percent to 84 percent of standard unemployment benefits, according to a report released yesterday.

Recessions have a ripple effect on countries. Problems that start in one sector quickly spread to another. So it's not surprising that our current recession, which started with the financial crisis and the real estate bubble, is now affecting job (the highest unemployment level in 16 years), credit, and health care.

Why health care? Well, not only are people making less money, so it's harder to pay sky-high premiums, but every 1% of people who lose their jobs, 1.1% become uninsured.

Families USA released a report today highlighting the crisis. Here's the key finding:

Nationally, to maintain single coverage, the average unemployed worker would need to spend 30 percent of his or her unemployment insurance (UI) check on COBRA premiums.

So, you've just lost your job. You're getting unemployment to make ends meet until you can find a new job (whenever that might be). And to maintain your health insurance coverage under COBRA, you have to now pay out 30 cents on every dollar of that precious unemployment check.

And that's if your single. If you have a family, you'd have to pay out - get this - 84% of your unemployment check to cover your dependents. Average unemployment benefits are $1,278 per month, and COBRA costs $1,069 per month, leaving you just $209 to do everything else, like feed your family.

No wonder most people who lose their job lose their insurance. They can't afford to keep it.

It's a terrible situation. But of course, there is a fix. Health care reform. And, according to a new study by the Commonwealth Fund, a health care plan like the ones proposed by President-elect Barack Obama and Senator Max Baucus (and supported by Health Care for America Now) would cost only $17.8 billion in the first year. That's 1.7% of Obama's proposed $1 trillion economic recovery plan, or about $60 per American citizen, a relative drop in the bucket.