 | Latest National Medical News & Politics
[of special relevance to Central Oregon]
Health Lobbyists Focus on a Once-Obscure Group
[U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
Jul 15, 2010 Under the new health-care overhaul law, health insurers will be required to pay fully for services that get an A or B recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Thus the USPSTF could become a political lightning rod. If it doesn't recommend a service, insurers don't have to pay for it, and advocates might argue the decision is a barrier to care. If the panel does back a service, it might increase patients' access, as well as create new business opportunities. |
A Push for Transparency in Doctors’ Fees
Jul 08, 2010
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Dr. Giovanni Colella, center, co-founder and chief executive of Castlight Health in San Francisco, talks to Castlight employees Heather Kagin, left, and Nita Sommers. Patients using Castlight could search for doctors that offer a service nearby and find out how much they will charge that patient.Jim Wilson / New York Times News Service
A push for transparency in doctors’ fees
Comparison shopping site aiming to lower health care costs has direct applicability for Central Oregon
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Senate Passes Six-Month SGR Fix at The Last Minute
Jun 18, 2010 his legislation provides a 2.2 percent Medicare physician payment update for six months, from June 1 through Nov. 30, in lieu of the 21 percent cut scheduled for 2010. The House of Representatives must now pass H.R. 3962 for the Senate action to succeed. |
Medicare Fees Cut 21%
Jun 17, 2010 In a last-minute shock to physicians, the Senate voted today against postponing a scheduled 21% reduction in Medicare reimbursement to physicians and other health providers. |
Fixing Medicare's Physician Payment System
May 31, 2010 The most fundamental problem with the SGR is that its objective is to control total physician spending, which is neither affected nor driven by the spending of any individual physician. If anything, individual physicians are provided with an even greater incentive to increase spending, because nothing they do as individuals can affect overall spending, but their fees will be affected by what other physicians do collectively, irrespective of their own behavior. |
Legislative News
May 27, 2010 Congress will debate a provision to stop the 21% pay cut under Medicare scheduled for June 1 and provide payment increases for physicians through 2013. |
2010 Health Care Act Summary
Mar 25, 2010 Timeline for Implementing the 2010 Health Care ActCommittees On Ways & Means, Energy & Commerce, And Education & Labor
Thanks to Mike Mastrangelo, MD and Medscape Family Medicine, the Central Oregon Medical Society is able to bring you a year-by-year implementation summary of the 2010 Health Care Act |
Mayo Clinic in Arizona to Stop Treating Some Medicare Patients
Dec 31, 2009 The Mayo Clinic, cited by President Obama as a medical care system to be emiulated for its cost containment and patient care excellence, announced that at one of its facilities (Glendale, Arizona) it will begin to refuse Medicare patients |
Health Care Compromised by Crass Payoffs
Dec 27, 2009 David Broder, who covered and wrote up the Clinton effort to reform health care is embarrassed by the travesty of low-grade political theater — angry rhetoric and backroom deals — that occurred in the U.S. Senate in passing their healthcare reform bill |
Saving Lives ... or Saving Money?
Dec 27, 2009 UCLA Medical Center is perennially near the top of list of centers ordering needless tests and instituting futile procedures, according to researchers at Dartmouth who rankd medical centers that spend the most on end-of-life care but seem to have no better results than hospitals spending much less |
Senate and House Health Care Reform Bills (SB3590 and HR3962)
Dec 24, 2009 A complete copy of the U.S. Senate (2,074 pages) and House of Representatives (1,990 pages) healthcare reform bills, passed by the Senate and House on December 24 and November 21, 2009, respectively (provided by the Central Oregon Medical Society for its members) |
Health Bill Clears Major Obstacle in Senate
Dec 21, 2009 The 30-hour maximum to break a filibuster will be played out in the U.S. Senate from 1 am this morning to 7 am tomorrow night, 1 pm the next day and finally at 7 pm on Christmas eve to pass the healtcare reform over the objection of all 40 Republican Senators |
Cancer Center Ads Use Emotion more than Fact
Dec 19, 2009 A New York TImes reporter criticizes cancer centers for claiming that they have the 'best' care available withj 'highest cure rates' when there is no evidence for the contentions |
How Backbench Senators are Fixing Health Care
Dec 13, 2009 Eleven freshman senators have banded toigether to provide amendments to the healthcare reform bill that take advantage of current provisions to test pilot programs such as eliminating fee-for-service, and thereby both potential make the bill more effective and economical than auithored by senior senators |
Public Option Threatens Reid’s Fragile Consensus
Nov 23, 2009 Within hours after agreeing to block a filibuster and allow debate on the Senate bill for healthcare reform, at least two Senators who voted to proceed are indicating opposition to the public option component |
Health Haggling Heats Up
Nov 22, 2009
By GREG HITT and JANET ADAMY / Wall Street Journal / November 22, 2009Also published in The Bulletin
Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.)... |
Merkley Bullish, Wyden Quiet on Latest Senate Bill
Nov 20, 2009 Soft-spoken Sen. Merkley pronounced himself “very pleased” with the bill, unveiled late Wednesday in the Senate, while the normally loquacious Sen. Wyden avoided commenting on the massive bill |
Health care Reform in the Senate: ‘Dead on Arrival’?
Nov 09, 2009 The glow from a health care triumph faded quickly for President Barack Obama on Sunday as Democrats realized the bill they fought so hard to pass in the House has nowhere to go in the Senate since the government health insurance plan included in the House bill is unacceptable to a few Democratic moderates who hold the balance of power in the Senate. |
House Democrats Pass Health-Care Bill
Nov 08, 2009 The U.S. House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. The vote was 220-215. One Republican votes for plan. The Senate will act next on legislation |
Deal on Abortion Clears Way for Vote in House
Nov 07, 2009
By David Espo and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar / The Associated Press / November 07. 2009
WASHINGTON — Capping months of struggle, House Democrats cleared an abortion-related impasse blockin... |
Progress on Health Reform, But at a Price
Nov 02, 2009 By Robert Pear and Sheryl Gay Stolberg / New York Times News Service / November 02. 2009
WASHINGTON — After months of plodding work by five congressional committees and week... |
Worst Bill Ever
Nov 01, 2009 Epic new spending and taxes, pricier insurance, rationed care, dishonest accounting: The Pelosi health bill has it all |
Path Clearing for House to Pass Health Bill — Over Liberal Objections
Oct 31, 2009 After months of saying they couldn’t vote for a bill without the strongest possible government-run insurance option, liberals are putting aside their disappointment over the weaker version in the legislation for a historic chance to remake America’s medical system. |
Four Health Care Reforms for 2009
Oct 28, 2009 Health economist Victor Fuchs discusses four specific health care reforms that should, but problably will not, be enacted this year |
House Health Bill Exceeds $1T
Oct 24, 2009 Democrats have touted an unreleased Congressional Budget Office estimate of $871 billion in recent days, a total that numerous officials acknowledge understates the bill’s true cost by $150 billion or more |
Medicare Changes come into Focus as Overhaul Plan moves Forward
Oct 22, 2009 Despite the clamor, most of Medicare’s 45 million beneficiaries, will have improved coverage from the current healthcare reform measures by beefing up drug benefits, preserving access to physicians, paying for more preventive care and putting Medicare on firmer financial footing |
Health Plan
Oct 15, 2009 Bend resident and small-business man defends current efforts at healthcare reform |
Comparing the Health Care Plans
Oct 14, 2009 Excellent summary of the healthcare reform bill emerging from the Senate and House and how the majority leaders are steering them |
Tort Reform can Cut the Deficit
Oct 14, 2009 It is irresponsible for the bills in the Senate and House to cost in excess of $820-$900 billion over the next decade without considering the potential savings that would accompany tort reform |
Tort Reform Key to Affordable Health Care
Oct 13, 2009 Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) points to new Congressional Budget Office analysis of mdical malpractice that clearly documents how tort reform can allow more Americans to access healthcare along with a reduction of federal spending by $41 billion over ten years and a decline in the federal deficit by $54 billion. |
Bentham vs. Hume on Reform in Washington
Oct 11, 2009 David Brooks at his best, eloquently caricaturizing the healhcare reform conflict ala Jeremy Bentham and David Hume, and concluding that 1) the debate is not between socialism and free-market purism but about how to promote innovation, and 2) the Bentham side will win |
Why Republicans and Businesses Differ on Health Care Reform
Oct 08, 2009 One of the intriguing mysteries of this year is why the initial broad support from American business for overhauling the health care system has not translated into more than a handful of votes from Republicans in the House and Senate |
Michael Newman. MD, Interview after Meeting with President Obama
Oct 05, 2009 Michael Newman. MD, a personal friend, was interviewed outside the White House after physicians met in the Rose Garden with President Obama. Mike was in the Peace Corps before he went to medical school. Tim Russert was one of his many patients from the political arena. |
Senate Panel Votes Down Public Option for Health Care Bill
Oct 02, 2009 •Finance Committee strikes down second amendment to bill
•Reform bill with public option couldn't win in Senate, Baucus says
•House Democrats plan meetings on merging three versions of reform plan
•Republicans say Democrats' overhaul proposal is too expensive |
Why Medical Malpractice is Off Limits
Sep 29, 2009 A prominent lawyer blames his colleagues in the profession and those in Congress for blocking tort reform in all current versions of proposed health care reform |
Doctors for America Weekly Update
Sep 26, 2009 The 1st edition of Doctors for America Weekly Update. Whether you are for, against, or on the fence about reform, your Senators and Representatives need to hear from their physician constituents. Join physicians across the country in making 5,000 contacts with Congress! |
Physicians on Call for Health Care Reform
Sep 06, 2009 Mike has been a close friend since we graduated from medical school together 40 years ago. He was Tim Russert's physician and takes care of many of our famous politicians ("somebody has to"). He attends and teaches at Johns Hopkins, in Baltimore vs. his office in D.C. and home in Bethesda. Mike's letter should be read by us, member and spouse.Archie Bleyer, MD2009 President, COMS |
Climbing the Hill on Health Care
Sep 02, 2009 In this outstanding editorial, former Senator Tom Daschle urges Democrats to pursue reform with or without Republican support |
5 Myths About Health Care Around the World
Aug 23, 2009 T. R. Reid, Washington Post Correspondent and author of "The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care" who traveled the world to learn how America can improve its healthcare system, debunks major arguments again health care reform |
Health Care Reform 2009 News Center
Aug 17, 2009 The Health Care Reform Center at healthcarereform.nejm.org provides a growing series that includes almost 100 N Engl J Med articles and online features by a diverse group of authors representing all parts of the health care system and all points of view and who have wrestled with the issues the country faces. |
Is ‘Health’ Missing from Health Care Debate?
Aug 16, 2009 As debate crescendos over health care reform, there is a more fundamental questionn: what about health? Could policymakers change our medical system in ways that would make America a healthier country? |
Understanding How Americans View Health Care Reform
Aug 12, 2009 Most Americans do not think the current reform legislation will improve their own health care or lower their costs. In addition, more than three fourths believe that their own taxes will increase. Uncertainty about the potential effect of legislation appears to be leading to volatility in the level of public support for the reform plans of President Obama (with 42 to 56% in support) and Congress. |
Keeping the Patient in the Equation — Humanism and Health Care Reform
Aug 06, 2009 The low ranking of the United States in health care has not emphasized that we are rated first in responsiveness — that is, in providing patients with choices that are meaningful to them. We scored poorly on the variables related to economics and fairness in distribution of services, and these factors will be addressed through the reform measures that are now in the works. |
A Bumpy Road for Reform
Aug 06, 2009 Despite the current turmoil, the modern presidency's powers of persuasion and punishment, the ability of Democratic leaders to marshal their majorities in Congress, and the support — however reluctant — of private interests give the edge to those favoring action. What form that action will take, however, is entirely an open question |
U.S. Psyche Bedevils Health Effort
Aug 04, 2009 Although the public loves to complain about health care, it's no surprise that people are afraid of changing the health care system. Capital Journal columnist Jerry Seib outlines several reasons for the foot-dragging. |
Two Sides Take Health Care Debate Outside Washington
Aug 03, 2009 With Republicans mobilizing against the proposed health care overhaul, President Obama, Congressional Democrats and leading advocacy groups are laying the groundwork for an August offensive against the insurance industry as part of a coordinated campaign to sell the public on the need for reform. |
Area Doctors, Hospital Form Alliance
Jul 22, 2009 In a medical community that has come to be known for divisiveness, a group of physicians has come together with Cascade Healthcare Community hospital system to adopt a shared vision for improving health care in Central Oregon. |
Harbingers of Change in Health Care
Jul 22, 2009 The now infamous New Yorker report by Atul Gawande about overutilzation of medical procedures, tests, referrals and consults as exemplified by McAllen, Texas is reviewed by Joseph Simone in his editorial in Oncology Times. Joe also reviews Julie Weed's New York Times piece about primary care physicians who have left the high-volume imperative without leaving medicine |
Health Reform Deadline In Doubt
Jul 22, 2009 Process Could Be Slow And More Contentious
By Shailagh Murray, Paul Kane and Michael A. FletcherWashington Post Staff Writers Friday, July 24, 2009 |
Ten Questions on the Health-Care Overhaul
Jul 21, 2009 The effort to change the system enjoys more support than past attempts, but the complications are as acute as ever. By JANET ADAMY / Wall Street Journal / July 21, 2009 |
A Bumpy Road for Healthcare Reform
Jul 21, 2009 CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf testified that, far from "bending the cost curve," the current legislation "significantly expands the federal responsibility for health care costs." Ten Democrats on the 59-member House Energy and Commerce Committee said they would not vote for or had serious concerns about the reform proposal in its current form. The only prospect for winning much Republican support lies in ongoing negotiations within the Senate Finance Commiittee. |
A Time for Revolutions — The Role of Clinicians in Health Care Reform
Jul 21, 2009 Over 10 years ago, Britain's National Health Service had to confront reform on a scale as challenging as that being contemplated in the U.S. today. Professional responsibility for health outcomes in the hands of clinicians, rather than beaurocrats or insurance companies must be the ambition of any new structure. Clinicians must educate both policymakers and the wider public about appropriate levels of care.
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End the Medical Civil War That’s Embarrassing Bend
Jul 06, 2009 "One could take either the BMC or CHC side of the civil war, but this is a fool’s choice. ... instead of waiting for this medical civil war to continue to tear apart our community and compromise patient care, let us put an end to this battle." |
A High Turnover at BMC
Jul 02, 2009 The sudden, unexplained departure of dozens of physicians from Bend Memorial Clinic in the past year has many patients wondering what’s going on within the walls of the clinic, and many are following their doctors to their new practices in town.Bend Bulletin, July 12, 2009 |
2nd Chance for Wyden’s Health Plan?
Jun 21, 2009 Turmoil over reform efforts in D.C. could make Oregon senator’s bill mandating coverage more alluring, despite criticism from left and right.
Sen. Merkeley (D., OR) is sticking with the President's plan.
Jim Diegel says Cascade Healthcare Community is not going to wait. |
President Obama Reminds Physicians of Their Mission at AMA Annual Meeting
Jun 15, 2009 Highlighted by the attendance of President Barack Obama on Monday, June 15, the Annual OMA meeting featured contributions by OMA members Judge Hicks, immediate past-Vice President and former Speaker of the OMA HOD, Past-President Dick Allen, President Chuck Hofmann, Past-President Dave Lindquist, and OMA Executive Director Jo Bryson |
Obama Removes MDs Abortion Protections
Feb 27, 2009
LifeNews, February 27, 2009, by Steven Ertelt To be overturned are protections President Bush put in place to ensure medical staff and centers from being forced to do abortions |
Obama Healthcare Budget Proposal
Feb 26, 2009
Washington Post, February 26, 2009, by Ceci Connelly $634 Billion Fund For Health Care to be Paid by Capping Personal Tax Deductions and Insurers |
How the Stimulus Stands to Help
Jan 29, 2009 U.S. House approves Obama recovery plan, 244-188, strctily along party lines, with an $87 billion provision increasing the federal contribution for Medicaid costs is expected to go a long way toward helping states close their budget gaps |
Reform is More than Hospitals
Jan 28, 2009 The impact of the proposed 4 percent tax on hospitals would only fall on Oregon’s 25 largest hospitals, including St. Charles in Bend. |
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