Latest from NCHC

House Committees Release Section by Section Summary of Health Reform Package

nchc — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:00:54 +0000

March 20, 2010

Issue Areas:

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

The House committees on Ways & Means, Energy & Commerce, and Education & Labor released a summary of HR 4872, The Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.

The Christian Science Monitor Article Discusses CBO Score of Health Reform Package

nchc — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:35:51 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Healthcare reform would lower deficit by $130 billion over 10 years

March 20, 2010

Ralph Neas, CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care, is quoted in this article which discusses the CBO report of the Senate health reform package with House "fixes".

CRS Report Highlights Long-Term Care Options for Health Reform

nchc — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:54:27 +0000

Congressional Research Service

March 19, 2010

Issue Areas:

Policy Implementation

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

This report developed by the Congressional Research Service outlines the aspects of health reform related to long term care and the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports provisions. To read the full report, click here.

Congressional Research Service Report Outlines Private Health Insurance Provisions of Health Reform

nchc — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:58:33 +0000

Congressional Research Service

March 19, 2010

Issue Areas:

Cost, Insurance, Policy Implementation

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

In this report, the Congressional Research Service outlines the provisions of health reform related to the private health insurance market. Among these provisions are delivery and payment reforms and market reforms intended to increase access and bring down the cost of private insurance. To read the full report, click here.

CRS Report Identifies Workforce and Quality Provisions of Health Reform

nchc — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:04:19 +0000

Congressional Research Service

March 19, 2010

Issue Areas:

Quality & Safety, Workforce Reforms / Human Capital

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

The Congressional Research Service recently released an updated report on the workforce and quality provisions contained in health reform legislation. In addition to the workforce and quality provisions, this report also highlights the public health provisions of reform, as well as other related provisions intended to improve access and quality of care. To read the full report, click here.

CRS Highlights Potential Changes to Medicare Program

nchc — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:08:00 +0000

Congressional Research Service

March 19, 2010

Issue Areas:

Cost, Delivery System Reforms, Financing, Policy Implementation

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

The Congressional Research Service released an updated report on the potential impact of health reform on the Medicare program. According to their report, CRS finds that at least several provision of health reform legislation intend to improve the program’s overall efficiency and quality through modifications to the payment and provider reimbursement systems, as well as the delivery of care protocols. To read the full report, click here.

New CBO Score Claims Greater Deficit Reduction from Health Reform

nchc — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:09:28 +0000

March 18, 2010

Issue Areas:

Cost, Coverage, Delivery System Reforms, Disparities, Drug and Device Cost Containment, Economic Impacts, Financing, Health IT, Innovation, Insurance, Policy Implementation, Prevention & Wellness, Quality & Safety, Simplified Administration, Workforce Reforms / Human Capital

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), in a preliminary cost estimate released today, the revised Health Care Reform bill -- H.R. 4872, the Reconciliation Act of 2010 -- would cost $940 billion over 10 years and cut the federal deficit over the next two decades. If enacted it will reduce the deficit by about $130 billion in the first 10 years and by $1.2 trillion over the second 10 years. Reform also will expand coverage to 95 percent of Americans, according to the CBO figures. To read the full CBO report, click here.

Rules Committee Posts Text of Health Reform Corrections Package

nchc — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:32:58 +0000

March 18, 2010

Issue Areas:

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

The House Rules Committee posted the text of the final health reform bill, H.R. 4872 – the Reconciliation Act of 2010 – along with a section-by-section breakdown of the bill. To read the bill, click here.

Pledging to Educate Constituents, NCHC Action Fund Joins Broad Coalition in Letter to House Members

nchc — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:03:49 +0000

March 17, 2010

Issue Areas:

Policy Implementation

Resource Type:

News Item

Action Fund sign on letter v2.doc

The NCHC Action Fund, along with several organizations supporting health reform, signed on to a letter sent to House members today reflecting their support for health reform and an offer to work with the member’s constituents after reform passes. The organizations pledged to help the member’s constituents understand the benefits of reform and assist the Representative in conducting a successful public education campaign on the details of any passed health reform.

Study Illustrates Continuing Decline of Insurance Coverage

nchc — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:06:26 +0000

March 17, 2010

Issue Areas:

Cost, Coverage, Economic Impacts, Insurance, Trends

Resource Type:

Study/Report

A study prepared for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation by the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota breaks down the trends in insurance coverage for Americans between 2000 and 2008. Overall, the data suggests that the number of uninsured has declined while the average total premium cost for insurance coverage has increased significantly. To read the full report, click here.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Develops Interactive Tool to Track Smoking-Related Trends

nchc — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:09:38 +0000

March 17, 2010

Issue Areas:

Prevention & Wellness

Resource Type:

Study/Report

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has developed an interactive map which contains a variety of information related to smoking and tobacco regulations. To use the map, simply click on the state and topic area you want to learn more about. To access the map, click here.

UCLA Study Finds Significant Increase in California Uninsured Rate

nchc — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:43:03 +0000

March 16, 2010

Issue Areas:

Coverage, Disparities, Insurance, Quality & Safety, Trends

Resource Type:

Study/Report

According to a new study released by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, the number of uninsured Californians increased by nearly two million people between 2007 and 2009, leaving more than eight million Californians without insurance. The study concludes that nearly one-quarter of California’s population – or one in four people – are without health insurance. To read the full policy brief, click here.

Catholic Hospitals Association Voices Support for Health Reform

nchc — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:55:20 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Catholic Hospitals Association voices support for health reform

March 15, 2010

The Catholic Hospitals Association voiced their support today for the proposed health reform legislation. According to their release, the bill, while imperfect, represents a major step forward toward providing Americans with quality health care and the organization calls upon health care experts to “help everyone understand what the actual proposal is.” To read the full statement, click here.

The Catholic Hospitals Association voiced their support today for the proposed health reform legislation.

Association of American Medical Colleges Expresses Support for Health Reform

nchc — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:06:51 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Association of American Medical Colleges Expresses Support for Health Reform

March 15, 2010

The Association of American Medical Colleges issued a press statement yesterday in which they called on Members of Congress to move health reform forward. Dr. Darrel Kirch, President and CEO of AAMC, pressed Congress and the administration to pass health reform and continue to pursue measures that would ensure “access to affordable, quality health care” for all Americans. To read the full statement, click here.

Cardinal Health Executive Highlights Need for Increased Private Sector Health Cost Management

nchc — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:09:41 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Cardinal Health Executive Highlights Need for Increased Private Sector Health Cost Management

March 11, 2010

At a recent meeting of top finance executives, Jeff Henderson, Cardinal Health’s Chief Financial Officer, discussed the need for a renewed focus on addressing rising health care costs, particularly those in the private sector. According to CFO, who hosted the event, Henderson urged his colleagues to consider actions independent from reform legislation that can control costs and reduce waste.. To read the full article, click here.

Congressional Budget Office

March 11, 2010

Issue Areas:

Economic Impacts

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

Reid_Letter_HR3590.pdf

In a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the health reform package does not substantially differ from the prior analysis completed in December 2009. They project that the bill as passed by the Senate would yield a $118 billion net reduction in federal deficits over the next decade, compared to a net reduction of $132 billion projected by their previous estimate. (Click here to access the report.)

New American College of Cardiology Advertisement Emphasizes Need for Cost Effective and High Quality Care.

nchc — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:04:31 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

New American College of Cardiology Advertisement Emphasizes Need for Cost Effective and High Quality Care.

March 10, 2010

In his blog, Jack Lewin highlights the American College of Cardiology’s new advertisement calling for high quality and cost effective care. The advertisement is nonpartisan in nature and does not comment on any specific proposal. Click here to read the entry and view the advertisement.

Harvard Professor Estimates Health Reform Package to Save $600 Billion

nchc — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:10:39 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Health Reform Passes the Cost Test

March 9, 2010

In a Wall Street Journal editorial, Harvard professor David Cutler, analyzed the President’s health reform package and found it to have scored well in 6 of 10 areas. Further he projects the bill to save an estimated $600 billion over the next decade and more over twenty years. Click here to view article. (You must have a WSJ subscription to view full article).

Editorial Suggests More Cost Containment Including “Fail Safe”

nchc — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:11 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Editorial Suggests More Cost Containment Including “Fail Safe”

March 7, 2010

A recent Washington Post editorial addresses recent calls for a “Plan C” in health reform, which is one that achieves the same reforms as existing proposals, but pays greater attention to fiscal responsibility. “Some legislators continue to explore options for more fiscal soundness, including some kind of fail-safe mechanism that would push Congress to act if projected savings do not materialize.” To read the full editorial, click here.

Economist suggests different perspective on combating waste, fraud, and abuse

nchc — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:16:34 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Economist suggests different perspective on combating waste, fraud, and abuse

March 5, 2010

In his NY Times blog, Uwe Reinhardt suggests a study exploring how government-run health systems in other nations manage to pay hospitals and doctors without the crushing administrative burdens borne by American health care providers. To read the full article, click here.

US-PIRG calls for timely completion of health reform

nchc — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:25:41 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

US-PIRG calls for timely completion of health reform

March 4, 2010

In a recent statement, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group applauded President Obama’s call to move health reform forward and called on members of Congress to move beyond words and complete their work on reform legislation. “It’s high time each and every member of Congress stop just talking about rising health costs and actually do something about it.” To read the full statement, click here.

President Obama outlines bipartisan proposals he would consider in health reform

nchc — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:07:21 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

President Obama Follows Up on Thursday's Bipartisan Meeting on Health Reform

March 2, 2010

In a letter that thanks House and Senate leadership for attending the Blair House Health Care Roundtable, President Obama highlighted key proposals from both sides of the aisle that he was open to considering in a health reform bill. These include: 1) Senator Coburn’s idea to investigate medical providers who receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements in an effort to address fraud; 2) funding for programs that explore alternatives to medical malpractice suits; 3) addressing Senator Grassley’s concern and seeking to enhance Medicaid reimbursement rates if more people will be eligible; 4) Senator Barrasso’s suggestion regarding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and ensuring high deductible plan availability in the exchanges. (Click here for the letter).

Reconciliation has been used to enact health care measures in the past.

nchc — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:35:30 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Major Changes to Health Care Under Reconciliation

March 1, 2010

According to a recent article in Congressional Quarterly, using the budget reconciliation process to pass health care reform legislation is not new. In the past 19 measures which were passed via budget reconciliation, 11 of them included health care provisions. To learn more, click here.

Study reveals potential consequences of unregulated provider rate negotiations

nchc — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:59:52 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Study reveals potential consequences of unregulated provider rate negotiations

February 26, 2010

According to a new study issued by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC), and published on the web by Health Affairs, proposals which support increased integrated care and care coordination could contribute to increased reimbursement rates for private payers. HSC reached this conclusion after observing the effects of increased leverage afforded to California providers for negotiating their reimbursement rates. Researchers also suggest that supporters of such integrated care proposals consider supplementing such proposals with price caps or all-payer rate setting. To read this report, click here.

According to a new study issued by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC), and published on the web byHealth Affairs, proposals which support increased integrated care and care coordination could contribute to increased reimbursement rates for private payers. HSC reached this conclusion after observing the effects of increased leverage afforded to California providers for negotiating their reimbursement rates.

AMA urges consideration of medical liability reform at Bipartisan Health Summit

nchc — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:08:24 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

AMA urges consideration of medical liability reform at Bipartisan Health Summit

February 25, 2010

In a letter directed to President Obama, the AMA and more than 75 medical specialty societies enjoined summit attendees to “address the broken medical liability system” in America. These groups maintain that effective medical liability reform is necessary to control the rate of growth in health care costs. A copy of the letter may be viewed here.

New report on uninsured reveals 13 million young adults without insurance in 2008

nchc — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:11:57 +0000

February 25, 2010

Issue Areas:

Cost, Coverage, Disparities, Insurance, Prevention & Wellness, Quality & Safety, Trends, Vulnerable Populations

Resource Type:

Study/Report

According to a recent report based on the National Health Interview Survey, almost 13 million young adults, or one third of those between the ages of 20-29 years, did not have health insurance in 2008. A copy of this report may be viewed here (link to report) and a fact sheet related to young adults and health reform may be viewed here.

Small Business Majority applauds summit attendees’ commitment to move health reform forward

nchc — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:29:03 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Small Business Majority applauds summit attendees’ commitment to move health reform forward

February 25, 2010

John Arensmeyer, CEO of the Small Business Majority, issued a statement in which he applauds policy makers attending the health care summit yesterday for their commitment to move forward with health reform legislation. Arensmeyer highlights the effect of maintaining the current system and urges lawmakers to move beyond talking and pass health reform legislation that will make health care more affordable for small businesses. To read the full statement, click here

Researchers study the effect of authorized generics on innovation and market competition

nchc — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:05:30 +0000

February 25, 2010

Issue Areas:

Drug and Device Cost Containment, Economic Impacts, Innovation

Resource Type:

Study/Report

A report released by the Congressional Research Service highlights the potential impact of authorized generics on innovation and market competition. The issue of authorized generics, or the practice of having pharmaceuticals marketed by brand-name drug companies under generic names, has garnered mixed responses regarding its potential impacts. This report reviews the work of previous commentators and offers its own observations in light of recent legislative proposals and judicial decisions. To view a copy of this report, click here.

GAO 2008 Survey Results on the Number and Market Share of Carriers in the Small Group Health Insurance Market

nchc — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:21:58 +0000

U.S. Government Accountability Office

February 24, 2010

Issue Areas:

Insurance, Trends

Resource Type:

Study/Report

GAO letter to snowe.pdf

Letter to Senators Snowe, Bond, Durbin, and Lincoln discusses the results of a 2008 private health insurance survey. The survey covers the competitiveness of the small group health insurance market in each state and the District of Columbia.

Members and Leaders of Faith Community Urge Congress and Administration to Move Reform Forward

nchc — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:51:50 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Members and Leaders of Faith Community Urge Congress and Administration to Move Reform Forward

February 24, 2010

In advance of Thursday’s Bipartisan Health Summit, members of the faith community have delivered a letter to Members of Congress and the Obama Administration urging them to complete their work on health reform legislation in a timely manner. Among the many reasons cited in the letter against any further delay of action, the authors of the letter highlight that we are closer than ever to achieving health care reform. It goes on to say “Turning back now could mean justice delayed for another generation and an unprecedented opportunity lost.” To read the letter and learn more about the efforts of the faith community regarding health care reform, please click here.

In Advance of Health Reform Summit, Key Organizations Push for ‘Meaningful’ Reform

nchc — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:01:57 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Organizations Send Joint Letters to President and Congressional Leaders Urging the Passage of ‘Meaningful Health Care Reform this Year’

February 22, 2010

Washington, D.C. – As a prelude to the Health Reform Summit this week, nine national organizations sent joint letters to the President and bipartisan congressional leaders urging the passage of “meaningful health care reform this year.”

After an explicit description of what constitutes “meaningful health care reform,” the joint letters indicate that “in their entirety, we believe the bills that the Senate and House have passed would achieve meaningful reform. They move close to securing quality, affordable health coverage and care for all Americans.”

Please visit the above link for full text of the press statement.

Statement on White House Leadership Regarding President's Proposal and the Upcoming Health Reform Summit

nchc — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:18:22 +0000

February 22, 2010

In a move toward exercising much needed leadership, today the White House posted on its website what officials called “a jumping-off point” for Thursday’s Blair House bicameral and bipartisan discussion on health care reform. Based upon the Democratic health care reform bills that passed the Senate and House late last year, the White House proposes changes to merge both bills while advancing a long-term strategy to reduce rising health care costs – largely by fundamental reform of health insurance markets.

Document:

NCHC Action Fund Statement on White House Leadership Proposal.pdf

Insurance Companies Prosper, Families Suffer: Our Broken Health Insurance System

nchc — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:15:51 +0000

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

February 18, 2010

Issue Areas:

Cost, Coverage, Economic Impacts, Insurance, Trends

Resource Type:

Study/Report

insuranceprofits.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today unveiled a new report, Insurance Companies Prosper, Families Suffer: Our Broken Health Insurance System. The report highlights health insurance premium increases in states across the country and comes shortly after Anthem Blue Cross announced plans to raise rates on its California customers by as much as 39 percent, even after its parent company took in a profit of $2.7 billion in the previous quarter.

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

County Health Rankings Highlight Complexity of America's Health Challenges

nchc — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:36:59 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

New County Health Rankings Give First County-by-County Snapshot of Health in Each State

February 17, 2010

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin, released a series of reports entitled the County Health Rankings. These reports detail the challenges that America’s counties must overcome in order to improve the health of their communities. According to Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., CEO and President of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “These Rankings demonstrate that health happens where we live, learn, work and play. And much of what influences how healthy we are and how long we live happens outside the doctor’s office.”

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin, released a series of reports entitled the County Health Rankings.

The Consequences of a Failure to Achieve Health System Reform

nchc — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:20:01 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Failure of health care overhaul will add more woes

February 14, 2010

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, with the Associated Press, highlights the potential dangers for employers, workers, the elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions if lawmakers fail to complete their overhaul of America’s health care system. Among the many negative consequences, Alonso-Zaldivar points out that “Medical costs are rising in a weak economy, causing healthy people to drop coverage and raising costs for those left behind, with no limit in sight.”

Administration Invites Congressional Leaders to Bipartisan Health Care Summit

nchc — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:26:54 +0000

February 12, 2010

Issue Areas:

Resource Type:

Executive Actions and Reports

Summit Letter to Cong Leads.pdf

The following letter, directed to the House and Senate Leadership, requests their attendance at a health care summit, to be held on February 25th. The purpose of this summit, according to the letter, is bring the parties together to “act on behalf of the millions of Americans and small businesses who are counting on meaningful health insurance reform.”

Democratic Congressional Leaders Asked to Ensure Bipartisan Process

nchc — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:28:35 +0000

February 12, 2010

Issue Areas:

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

Summit Letter from Boehner.pdf

NCHC Action Fund Calls for Tough Presidential Negotiation Strategy

nchc — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:38:54 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Dems, GOP gear up for health care summit on TV

February 10, 2010

A recent San Francisco Chronicle article discusses the importance of the upcoming televised health care summit on February 25th and the potential risks it poses for both parties and for the administration. Ralph Neas, President and CEO of the NCHC Action Fund, was quoted as saying "The President can't be just a facilitator, he's got to be negotiating with brass knuckles, and say this is the way it's going to be done, this is what has to pass, this is my bottom line, and give Republicans another opportunity."

LA Times Editorial Expresses Support for NCHC Action Fund Failsafe Recommendation

nchc — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:51:37 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Back to the Drawing Board

February 8, 2010

In a recent LA Times editorial, the authors discuss the current direction of health care reform and the need to focus on reducing the growth of health care spending. In addition to aggressively pursuing a reduction in chronic disease, specifically the obesity epidemic, the authors support the inclusion of a fail-safe mechanism, such as the one recommended by the NCHC Action Fund, “with a specific goal for healthcare savings and a means to push providers, insurers, and drug companies to achieve it.”

Reform Effort Needs Forceful White House Leadership

nchc — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:41:10 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Obama Admits Health Care Overhaul May Die on Hill

February 6, 2010

According to the Associated Press, the Obama administration has not done enough to clarify the direction that lawmakers seeking to pass comprehensive health care reform should take. The AP went to report that after learning of these remarks, Ralph Neas, President and CEO of the NCHC Action Fund, issued the following statement, “The time has come for more forceful presidential leadership.”

NCHC Action Fund Pushes for Timely Completion of Reform Negotiations

nchc — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:44:40 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Democrats Chafe as White House Wavers on Health Care Bill

February 6, 2010

This recent Politico article discusses the confusion that is being experienced by House and Senate Democrats regarding the President’s intentions for health care reform. In response to the lack of clear direction given by President Obama, Ralph Neas, President and CEO of the NCHC Action Fund, said “Without presidential leadership, I just don’t see it happening.” Neas went on to say, “Time is ticking and I believe time is our most formidable adversary.”

National Health Expenditures Jumped 5.7 Percent Last Year

nchc — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:20:39 +0000

February 4, 2010

Issue Areas:

Cost, Economic Impacts, Financing, Trends

Resource Type:

Study/Report

PPM136_2009-1074_final.pdf

Last year despite the recession, national health care spending hit $2.5 trillion, a 5.7 percent jump from 2008, according to projections by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Increased health spending and decreased GDP combined to increase health care's share of the economy by 1.1 percent – the biggest one-year jump since the government began tracking the numbers in 1960. According to CMS economists writing in the journal, Health Affairs. Health expenditures are estimated to have consumed 17.3 percent of GDP last year. As growing unemployment caused forced more people to rely on Medicaid, public spending grew to 8.7 percent, or $1.2 trillion. At the same time private payers increases totaling $1.3 trillion, a 3 percent increase. Health costs now equal 17 percent of the nation’s economy. READ THE HEALTH AFFAIRS ARTICLE:

Allies In Action - "Better Care at Lower Cost: Principles of Design"

nchc — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:13:05 +0000

Donald Berwick, MD, MPP

February 1, 2010

Issue Areas:

Cost, Quality & Safety

Resource Type:

Study/Report

don-berwick better care.ppt

Families USA held it’s Annual Health Action 2010 Conference in Washington D.C. on January 28-30.

Families USA held it’s Annual Health Action 2010 Conference in Washington D.C. on January 28-30. Among the many valuable activities was a Plenary Session entitled “Improving Patient Care, Controlling Costs, Saving Lives” including a truly powerful presentation by Donald Berwick of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement addressing how reform can achieve better care at lower cost.

CBO Projects Medicare Spending at $1,038 Billion in 2020

nchc — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:13:24 +0000

Congressional Budget Office

January 28, 2010

Issue Areas:

Cost, Economic Impacts

Resource Type:

Congressional Actions and Reports

CBO Jan 2010.pdf

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2010 to 2020 (Report).

According to CBO, gross spending on Medicare is expected to total $528 billion in 2010, $735 billion in 2015, and $1,038 billion in 2020. The CBO also expects Medicare spending to rise (as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP)) from 3.5 percent in 2009 to 4.6 percent in 2020.

Health Care Experts Weigh In by Writing Congressional Leaders

nchc — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:35:33 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Health Care Experts Weigh In by Writing Congressional Leaders

January 27, 2010

“We have come further than we have ever come before. While the House and Senate bills differ on specific points, they are built on the same framework and common elements--eliminating health status underwriting and insurance abuses, creating functioning insurance markets, offering affordability credits to those who cannot afford health insurance, requiring that all Americans act responsibly and purchase health insurance if they are able to do so, expanding Medicaid to cover all poor Americans, reforming Medicare payment to encourage quality and control costs, strengthening the primary care workforce, and encouraging prevention and wellness.

A Pathway to Enactment of Health Reform

nchc — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:13:23 +0000

January 27, 2010

Resource Type:

News Item

A Pathway to Enactment of Health Reform.pdf

Allies In Action - Unprecedented Coalition of Coalitions Supports Comprehensive Health Care Reform

nchc — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:31:20 +0000

January 26, 2010

On Wednesday, January 27th at 10:30am, the NCHC Action Fund will be sponsoring a press event featuring a "Coalition of Health Care Reform Coalitions".

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONTACT Ralph G. Neas RSVP CONTACT: Amelia West

Document:

NCHC Action Fund Media Advisory 1-26-10.pdf

Allies in Action - Health & Human Services, Department of Justice

nchc — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:04:47 +0000

News Type:

News Article

January 25, 2010

The day after Obama delivers his State of the Union address, the departments of Justice and Health and Human Services will hold a joint summit at the National Institutes of Health to highlight the problem of health care fraud. The all-day session will put law enforcement officials in the same room with private practitioners and public sector officials to discuss what both sides can do to limit a persistent problem that costs Medicare and Medicaid billions each year.

The New Democratic Leadership Council - "The Lost Decade"

nchc — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:11:23 +0000

Conor McKay

January 25, 2010

Issue Areas:

Coverage, Disparities, Economic Impacts, Trends

Resource Type:

Study/Report

DLC Jan 2010.pdf

Census data outlines Bush era setbacks in poverty, income, and health coverage.

Allies In Action - Community Catalyst: "Building on the Foundation: Consumer Advocacy's Role in Successful Health Care Reform"

nchc — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:21:21 +0000

News Type:

News Article

Article:

Building on the Foundation

January 25, 2010

The United States is in the process of enacting historic health care reform legislation that could have the most profound impact on our health care system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. Consumer advocates have played a critical role in making this possible through their work on incremental national, state and local health care reforms that paved the way for comprehensive federal reform.