National Women's Law Center on why health reform matters for women
Women
Face Unfair and Discriminatory Insurance Industry Practices
Insurers in most states are allowed to consider gender when
setting premium rates in both the individual and group markets. As a result of
“gender rating,” women, and businesses with predominantly female workforces,
are often charged more than men for the exact same coverage.
In eight states and D.C., it is
still legal for insurers to reject a woman’s health insurance application if
she is a victim of domestic violence.
Insurers may exclude coverage for certain “pre-existing”
conditions; if a woman has previously had a Cesarean section, for instance,
insurers may refuse to pay for future C-sections or reject her application
altogether.
Peter Orszag, OMB Director, on why older workers are working longer “One of the most significant repercussions of the economic downturn has been its effect on the labor market. It goes without saying that too many Americans are out of work. And as you dig deeper into the data, it becomes evident that the age pattern of changes in labor force participation rates is different now than during past downturns. “
WSJ_Health
Reform is dividing business and GOP (unless, of course, the business is an insurance
company).
From
USA Today, good overview of the uninsured in the US
From the Hastings Center, a summary of 3 components of the Baucus bill that are aimed at improving coordination of care, cost control, and innovation in payment and financing aimed at improving integration and coordination of care.
NY Times: GREAT interactive graphic that shows regional differences in Medicare reimbursements, surgery rates, and enrollees. Data are from the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care.
NY
Times: Another GREAT interactive graphic that provides “A History of Health Reform” timeline from 1912 to the
present (in case you thought this was a recent phenomenon).
NY
Times Interview with Dr. Marcia Angell Listen
to this woman. She’s terse and she’s correct a lot of the time.
NY
Times: Real life (insured) cancer patient describes costs and contrasts US
prices with UK prices Remind
me again why competition is good for this market, please.
WSJ: Insurers Tally Up Baucus Bill Provisions “Sen. Baucus's health overhaul would create new insurance customers without subjecting insurers to government-run competition -- two victories for the industry. “ Cue cheering from the populace. Surely this is a victory for us all, no?
WSJ: Senators
Reject Bid to Cut Drug Prices for Low Income Seniors “Senators rejected an amendment to
health-care legislation that would have cut drug prices for low-income seniors
and cost the pharmaceutical industry billions of dollars.” It’s good to know they’re on our side.
WSJ: Health
Bill's Proposed Excise Tax Rallies Republicans. “Republicans are seizing on a proposed fee
for people who don't carry health insurance as evidence the White House is
breaking a pledge not to raise taxes on middle-class Americans.” It’s OK to raise prices (even above
marginal social cost), just don’t raise taxes. For God’s sake, don’t raise
taxes. We’ll pay any price, just don’t raise taxes.
FT: Health of US democracy also at stake in battle over health reform Somewhere in Philadelphia, there is a VERY smart woman. Many probably, but this one deserves recognition.
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