An 852-page "discussion draft" released by the Democratic chairmen of three House committees would penalize individuals if they do not carry health insurance and employers if they do not offer it, while creating a new government-run insurance plan to compete with private health plans. Read more »
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) said that the Medicare program's spiraling and unsustainable costs must be tamed, but for now stayed away from specific recommendations to toss into the debate in Congress over the health care overhaul. Read more »
Nursing home surveys will now place a stronger emphasis on residents' rights to live with dignity in environments that accommodate their needs and preferences, according to guidance released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Read more »
The Senate Finance Committee is tapping the brakes on its drive to overhaul the health care system, delaying a scheduled June 23 markup, possibly until July. Read more »
The idea of including non-profit cooperatives in a health overhaul bill appears to be gaining favor among lawmakers as they try to find ways to promote greater competition in the insurance market. Both President Obama and House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, also have spoken favorably about cooperatives in recent days. Read more »
Proposals to expand health insurance coverage through a program of subsidies to lower-income Americans to help them buy policies could permanently boost the government's budgetary commitments to health care by about 10 percent, according to a letter released last week by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Read more »