Blog

May 20, 2013: Update on H.R. 1416: Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2013

Created on: Monday, May 20, 2013

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC) introduced a bill (H.R. 1416) that is gathering support in the House to stop the application of the sequester cut to cancer drug reimbursement. In a few short weeks, the bill is gaining support in the House, especially now that Congress has passed legislation to stop flight delays caused by the sequester.

(Read More)

May 20, 2013: Poll: Obama at 53 percent approval after week of controversies

Created on: Monday, May 20, 2013

A new poll shows a majority approving of President Obama's job performance after a week where his administration faced a tough trio of controversies.

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May 20, 2013: Scandal-shocked House Democrats fear for 2014

Created on: Monday, May 20, 2013

Democrats aiming to retake the House next year against all odds tried to reassure themselves after President Barack Obama’s week from hell: The election is still 18 months away, plenty of time for Republicans to turn today’s gift into tomorrow’s albatross.

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May 20, 2013: Hospital Charges And The Need For A Maximum Price Obligation Rule For Emergency Department & Out-Of-Network Care

Created on: Monday, May 20, 2013

The release of average charges for common procedures in more than 3,000 U. S. hospitals last week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) elicited divergent reactions – not surprisingly. On one hand, it was front-page news for most of the major newspapers: “Hospital Billing Varies Wildly, Government Billing Data Shows,” was the headline in the New York Times.

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May 20, 2013: Despite talk, no effort in Congress to change ObamaCare's employer mandate

Created on: Monday, May 20, 2013

Small businesses looking for a break from President Obama’s healthcare law aren’t getting any help from Congress.

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May 20, 2013: Washington State Cancer Patients Found To Be At Greater Risk For Bankruptcy Than People Without A Cancer Diagnosis

Created on: Monday, May 20, 2013

Much has been written about the relationship between high medical expenses and the likelihood of filing for bankruptcy, but the relationship between receiving a cancer diagnosis and filing for bankruptcy is less well understood.

(Read More)

May 20, 2013: ACOs Won't Work for Most Docs, Critic Says

Created on: Monday, May 20, 2013

Accountable care organizations -- a key to federal health reform efforts -- will rarely be successful and won't generate the cost savings advocates hope for, a vocal critic asserted.

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May 20, 2013: Supplemental Coverage Associated With More Rapid Spending Growth For Medicare Beneficiaries

Created on: Monday, May 20, 2013

Lowering both Medicare spending and the rate of Medicare spending growth is important for the nation’s fiscal health. Policy makers in search of ways to achieve these reductions have looked at the role that supplemental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries plays in Medicare spending.

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May 20, 2013: Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Illinois And OSF Healthcare Team To Create Accountable Care Organization To Improve Quality Of Care And Reduce Costs

Created on: Monday, May 20, 2013

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) and OSF HealthCare, a system owned and operated by "The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis", Peoria, Illinois, announced today their intent to form a new, strategic alliance, an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). By doing so, the two organizations aim to deliver improved patient care while also focusing on the overall cost of health care.

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May 17, 2013: Obama seeks to weather storm

Created on: Friday, May 17, 2013

President Obama flatly declared Thursday he was unaware of the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of politically conservative groups.

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May 17, 2013: Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2013 Has 58 Cosponsors

Created on: Friday, May 17, 2013

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC) introduced a bill (H.R. 1416) that is gathering support in the House to stop the application of the sequester cut to cancer drug reimbursement. In a few short weeks, the bill is gaining support in the House, especially now that Congress has passed legislation to stop flight delays caused by the sequester.

(Read More)

May 17, 2013: How the Sequester Cuts Are Harming Oncology

Created on: Friday, May 17, 2013

In August 2011, Congress passed the Budget Control Act, which required Congress to agree to reduce the deficit by $1.2 trillion over a 9-year period—or if Congress failed to do this, automatic cuts known as “sequestration” would be implemented.

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May 17, 2013: House votes to repeal ObamaCare

Created on: Friday, May 17, 2013

The House voted to repeal ObamaCare on Thursday for the third time since Republicans took over the chamber in 2011.

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May 17, 2013: John Boehner: No timetable for Obamacare replacement

Created on: Friday, May 17, 2013

House Speaker John Boehner was noncommittal on when — or even if — Republicans would put a bill on the floor to replace President Barack Obama’s health care law.

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May 17, 2013: Hospital pricing gouges patients: Our view

Created on: Friday, May 17, 2013

Shouldn't you be able to see the price of something before you buy it, so you can shop for value or simply figure out whether you can afford it? Before you roll your eyes and say, "Of course," think about the last time you bought medical care, especially in a hospital. See any price lists on the wall? Probably not. And, if you had, you might have fainted on the spot.

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May 17, 2013: New cancer tools allow patients to reconsider chemo

Created on: Friday, May 17, 2013

After decades of using one-size-fits-all therapies to combat cancer, doctors are using new tools to help decide when their patients can skip chemotherapy or other harsh treatments.

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May 16, 2013: Boehner pleads for unity among House Republicans on debt ceiling

Created on: Thursday, May 16, 2013

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Wednesday pleaded with House Republicans to unify around a debt-ceiling plan, telling his conference that he did not want to have to rely on Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to help pass legislation.

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May 16, 2013: Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2013 Has 58 Cosponsors

Created on: Thursday, May 16, 2013

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC) introduced a bill (H.R. 1416) that is gathering support in the House to stop the application of the sequester cut to cancer drug reimbursement. In a few short weeks, the bill is gaining support in the House, especially now that Congress has passed legislation to stop flight delays caused by the sequester.

(Read More)

May 16, 2013: Washington State Cancer Patients Found To Be At Greater Risk For Bankruptcy Than People Without A Cancer Diagnosis

Created on: Thursday, May 16, 2013

Much has been written about the relationship between high medical expenses and the likelihood of filing for bankruptcy, but the relationship between receiving a cancer diagnosis and filing for bankruptcy is less well understood.

(Read More)

May 16, 2013: Senate votes 91-7 to confirm Tavenner to head Medicare, Medicaid Services

Created on: Thursday, May 16, 2013

The Senate confirmed President Obama’s nominee to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

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