Medicare Health Insurance News

Jonathan Cohn (The New Republic) – It’s been almost a hundred years since progressives began the campaign to make health care a right. And never before has the campaign come this far. Five congressional committees have now had their say about health care reform. And, as of Tuesday afternoon, all five have said “aye.”

The New York Times – It has been frustrating to watch Republican leaders posture as the vigilant protectors of Medicare against health care reforms designed to make the system better and more equitable. This is the same party that in the past tried to pare back Medicare and has repeatedly denounced the kind of single-payer system that is at the heart of Medicare and its popularity.

The New York Times – Three related issues consumed lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee as they debated major health care legislation on Wednesday afternoon, but connecting the dots from one controversy to the next isn’t easy.

Politico – President Barack Obama is warning Americans not to believe “rumors” that the health reform initiative he’s pushing will lead to a government-run health care system or push Medicare recipients to die rather than running up a hefty tab for medical services.

Politifact.com – Republicans have found many reasons to oppose the Democrats’ health care proposal, but this is one of the oddest. Betsy McCaughey, chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths and former lieutenant governor of New York state, says the bill goes too far to encourage senior citizens to end their lives.

The Health Care Blog – Since when was a two-tiered health insurance system a Democratic policy goal?

The Health Care Blog – As a nation, we are in a heap of trouble. Our medical system is a disaster – overly expensive and ineffective. On average, we spend two to three times more per capita on health care than other developed countries. Yet on measures of quality, we rank 22nd out of 23 among those same countries, according to the World Health Organization.

The New York Times ‐ It is one of the most contentious health care proposals President Obama has floated: offer a federal, Medicare-like insurance plan to anyone, at any age. And let commercial insurers offer their private health plans alongside it.

The New York Times – It is one of the most contentious health care proposals President Obama has floated: offer a federal, Medicare-like insurance plan to anyone, at any age. And let commercial insurers offer their private health plans alongside it.

Associated Press – The health insurance industry is working on a transformation that could come right out of “Extreme Makeover.”