News & Comment
Blogs and Opinion
Following GMOn Health Care by Robert B. Reich, <i>The American Prospect</i>, prospect.org | October 3, 2007
There is a strong case for decoupling health coverage from employment. read more »Guest Post: Is Big Tobacco Stealth-Lobbying Against Children's Health? by Howard Park, OurFuture.org | October 2, 2007
The post below is written by my friend Howard Park, who now makes his living selling used books, but once made it bamboozling on behalf of corporate America. Read on for his stunning discovery of a grass-roots campaign that turns smokers into lobbyists against SCHIP. —Rick Perlstein By Howard Park read more »One More Vote to Override SCHIP Veto by Bill Scher, OurFuture.org | October 2, 2007
Public pressure continues to build on House members that voted against expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Today, Tulsa World reports that conservative "Bush Dog" Democrat Rep. Dan Boren (Okla.) will drop his opposition and support an override of Bush's veto. read more »The White House Tries To Answer a Question by Bill Scher, OurFuture.org | October 1, 2007
Kudos to Rebecca from Saint Paul! She submitted one of our proposed State Children's Health Insurance Program questions to "Ask The White House:" SCHIP has succeeded in cutting the rate of uninsured children, while the rate of uninsured adults has gone up. But we still have 9 million uninsured kids to cover. read more »Weekend Watchdog Wrap-Up by Bill Scher, OurFuture.org | October 1, 2007
The Sunday shows have a record day, going 0-for-4 for the Watchdog. On Fox News Sunday, Sen. Trent Lott was not asked how he could criticize SCHIP expansion for making "Uncle Sam will run the program," when he wants the federal government to take away state flexibility to meet the needs of their population. read more »Health Care in Election '08 by Bill Scher, OurFuture.org | September 29, 2007
Watch my interview below from the LiberalOasis Radio Show, about how healthcare is shaping the presidential race in 2008. Part 1: Part 2: read more »Weekend Watchdog by Bill Scher, OurFuture.org | September 29, 2007
Every Friday in our Weekend Watchdog feature, we post suggested questions for scheduled Sunday guests. You can add your own questions in the comment thread. We'll also include contact information for the shows, so we can let them know what their viewers want asked. read more »Ask The White House about SCHIP! by Bill Scher, OurFuture.org | September 27, 2007
The White House home page announces the following: Discuss State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) Reauthorization Join Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at HHS, Mr. Kerry Weems, Friday, Sept. 28 at 2 pm EDT to discuss S-CHIP and the President's support of continuing its original intent to provide insurance coverage to poor children. read more »SCHIP Vote Starts To Ripple Across Country by Bill Scher, OurFuture.org | September 27, 2007
Today, the Senate passed the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program with a veto-proof 69 votes, including 18 Republicans. Meanwhile, the fallout from the House vote is beginning to ripple across the country. read more »Desperate Conservatives Try To Save Face on SCHIP by Bill Scher, OurFuture.org | September 26, 2007
Conservatives are continuing to sweat. They clearly realize that they have failed to sell their misinformation about the proposed expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Now, panicked that voters will remember on Election Day who stood for kids and who didn't, conservatives are trying to slap together their own legislation. read more »
The Latest
Lobbies Backing Health Care Reforms, boston.com | December 3, 2008
Powerful special interest groups that helped torpedo healthcare reform 16 years ago are now advocating significant changes in the nation's health insurance and delivery system. They are participating in regular discussions about how to expand health coverage and lower costs, key commitments that President-elect Barack Obama made in his campaign. read more »
Consensus Emerging on Universal Health Care, Los Angeles Times | December 1, 2008
After decades of failed efforts to reshape the nation's health care system, a consensus appears to be emerging in Washington about how to achieve the elusive goal of providing medical insurance to all Americans. read more »
U.S. 'Not Getting What We Pay For', The Washington Post | November 30, 2008
Talk to the chief executives of America's preeminent health-care institutions, and you might be surprised by what you hear: When it comes to medical care, the United States isn't getting its money's worth. Not even close. "We're not getting what we pay for," says Denis Cortese, president and chief executive of the Mayo Clinic. read more »
Big Pharma Seeks to Shape Health Plan, Reuters | November 20, 2008
Major drug makers want their voices heard as U.S. Democrats, traditionally critics of the industry, start crafting plans to expand health insurance coverage and cut the escalating costs of care. Companies are promoting the success of Medicare's prescription drug coverage and potential for pharmaceuticals to save money in the long term. read more »
Health Insurers Offer Acceptance, on Condition, The New York Times | November 20, 2008
The health insurance industry said that it would support a health care overhaul requiring insurers to accept all customers, regardless of illness or disability. But in return, the industry said, Congress should require all Americans to have coverage. read more »
Americans Skipping Care, The Washington Post | November 18, 2008
Chronically ill patients in the United States spend more out-of-pocket money, skip needed care, and report more medical errors than patients in seven other industrialized countries, a new survey finds. Results of the survey were published online Nov. read more »
Employers Offer Fewer Health Plans, The New York Times | November 17, 2008
It’s the annual “open enrollment” season in corporate America, when employees choose their medical plans for the coming year. But this time, even if they are fortunate enough to have a job at a company that still offers health benefits, many workers are finding that the buffet of options has been trimmed to a very short menu. read more »
U.S. Trailing in Chronic Care, Reuters | November 13, 2008
Chronically ill Americans are more likely to forgo medical care because of high costs or experience medical errors than patients in other affluent countries, according to a new study released. The study comparing the experiences of patients in eight nations reflected poorly on the U.S. health care system. read more »
Senator Takes Initiative on Health Care , The New York Times | November 12, 2008
Without waiting for President-elect Barack Obama, Senator Max Baucus, the chairman of the Finance Committee, will unveil a detailed blueprint to guarantee health insurance for all Americans by facilitating sales of private insurance, expanding Medicaid and Medicare, and requiring most employers to provide or pay for health benefits. The plan proposed by Mr. read more »
Women Face Penalties on Health Coverage, The New York Times | October 31, 2008
Striking new evidence has emerged of a widespread gap in the cost of health insurance, as women pay much more than men of the same age for individual insurance policies providing identical coverage, according to new data from insurance companies and online brokers. read more »
