Health Industry Shakedown Imperils Reform

Republicans relent after weeks of procedural delays

(NEWSER) - The Senate unanimously confirmed Regina Benjamin as US surgeon general yesterday after Republicans ended a procedural delay that had dragged on for several weeks. Mitch McConnell and seven other GOP senators said they stalled because of an administration “gag order” that prevented insurers from giving their opinions on the effects of pending health care reform to senior citizens on Medicare. Benjamin said the news was “just sinking in." More»

Say legislation isn't aggressive enough on fee-for-service model

(NEWSER) - Some Democrats in the Senate are worried that reform legislation under consideration doesn't do enough to rein in out-of-control health care spending. President Obama has promised $2 trillion in savings over the next 10 years, but critics say the proposed changes aren't nearly aggressive enough on the current pay-per-visit system favored by doctors and hospital groups. More»

(NEWSER) - The American Medical Association has given the all-clear to the health care reform bill making it way through the House, the Hill reports. The endorsement from the nation's biggest doctors' group, which helped sink President Clinton's efforts at reforming health care, gave the Democrats a boost following the Congressional Budget Office's announcement that the bill would raise health care costs. More»

Obama can't give in to critics

(NEWSER) - As wrangling over health care reform drags on, President Obama is putting the idea of a public option on the back burner. But public competition would drive private plans to offer better, less expensive care, cutting the massive costs that are hindering progress, writes Robert Reich in the Wall Street Journal. In fact, “the choice people make between private plans and a public one is likely to function as a check on both.” More»