Policy and Political News

Keep tabs on current legislation that may affect the prevention and treatment of chronic disease in the United States.

The high cost of health care
New York Times | November 25, 2007

Health care costs are far higher in the United States than in any other advanced nation, whether measured in total dollars spent, as a percentage of the economy, or on a per capita basis. And health costs here have been rising significantly faster than the overall economy or personal incomes for more than 40 years, a trend that cannot continue forever.

Experts give presidential candidates health care recommendations
Reuters | November 15, 2007

Universal health coverage is essential, and the best way to achieve this is through a combination of private, employer, federal and state coverage, a group of health policy experts appointed by the Commonwealth Fund recommended to U.S. presidential candidates. The experts also said the U.S. needs to emphasize overall health rather than costly interventions.

America’s Lagging Health Care System
New York Times | November 1, 2007

Americans are increasingly frustrated about the subpar performance of this country’s fragmented health care system, and with good reason. A new survey of patients in seven industrialized nations underscores just how badly sick Americans fare compared with patients in other nations.

How to end the health care reform gridlock
San Francisco Chronicle | October 30, 2007

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's ambitious health care reform proposal is in trouble, but there may be a way to end the gridlock in Sacramento if the governor and the Legislature focus the debate on the issue that looms most important as a concern among insured Californians.

The chronic cost of chronic diseases
The Boston Globe | October 18, 2007

Chronic health conditions such as cancer, mental illness, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes extract a terrible human cost. According to figures released yesterday by the Milken Institute, Massachusetts has one of the highest rates nationwide for chronic illness.

McCain Health Care Plan Puts Focus on Spending
New York Times | October 11, 2007

With its emphasis on containing costs rather than covering the uninsured, the health care plan that Senator John McCain released Thursday differs not only from those being offered by the Democratic presidential candidates but also by his rivals within the Republican Party.

Preventable Illness at Core of U.S. Health Costs
ABC News | October 3, 2007

Researchers examined the rates of 10 of the most common and costly chronic illnesses among those over age 50. The illnesses included diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, high cholesterol, chronic lung disease, asthma, osteoporosis, stroke and cancer.

States Differ Widely in Spending on Health Care, Study Finds
New York Times | September 18, 2007

The study, published on Monday in the Web edition of the journal Health Affairs, said that Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Alaska and Connecticut had the highest per capita spending on health care in 2004.

Health care spending highest in Northeast
Associated Press | September 18, 2007

Staying healthy is a costly business in the United States, particularly in the Northeast, government statistics show.

Governor's new chronic care group to focus on diabetes first
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | September 17, 2007

A state commission will assemble in Harrisburg today to begin the challenging task of improving management of diabetes and other chronic diseases throughout Pennsylvania. In May, Gov. Ed Rendell issued an executive order creating the Governor's Chronic Care Management, Reimbursement and Cost Reduction Commission.

Huckabee Addresses Need for Chronic Disease Prevention
WEMJ 1490 AM New Hampshire - Meet the New Press | August 18, 2007 (mp3 file)

Giuliani Seeks to Transform U.S. Health Care Coverage
The New York Times | August 1, 2007

Rudolph W. Giuliani on Tuesday called for transforming the way health care coverage is provided in the United States, advocating a voluntary move from the current employer-based system to one that would grant substantial tax benefits to people who buy their own insurance.

CDC: Start with med schools to fix health care
Reuters | July 16, 2007

Reforming the tottering U.S. health care system should start at the very beginning of the process - in medical school, Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Saturday.

Schein expands “healthy children” program
Newsday | July 16, 2007

Henry Schein Inc. wants to close the health-care access gap, especially for children. So this year the Melville medical-products supplier is expanding its 1-year-old "Healthy Children, Healthy Lifestyles" program to four cities.

Regional, local officials make push for preventative health; Program is part of a national advocacy effort by CMS
The Messenger (IA) | July 11, 2007

Regional and local health officials gathered in front of the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge Tuesday afternoon to promote preventive health and to remind residents of fairly new Medicare services. Mark Gilbert, the regional administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), was present.

A State Finds No Easy Fixes on Health Care
New York Times | July 10, 2007

Gov. Ed Rendell’s “Prescription for Pennsylvania” included a ban on smoking in public places, a reduction in the rate of hospitalization for chronic diseases and an expansion of the role nurses play in treating patients.

Childhood obesity task force extends study
Reuters | July 6, 2007

A government task force examining the effect the media might have on childhood obesity delayed the release of its report on Thursday. Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, and Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, along with FCC chairman Kevin Martin, said they expect the committee to finish its work in the fall instead of midsummer as originally planned.

Presidential hopefuls highlight health care »
National Public Radio-All Things Considered | May 29, 2007

Health care is taking center stage in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Drew Altman, president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, says all the big health plans being offered by the Democrats may in the end just cancel one another out. While experts will be able to see the differences between each candidate's plan for information technology or chronic disease management, voters will likely just note that each candidate has a big health plan.

Obama unveils universal health care plan »
Associated Press | May 29, 2007

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday offered a sweeping health care plan that would provide every citizen a means for coverage and calls on government, businesses and consumers to share the costs of the program. Obama said he would spend more money boosting technology in the health industry such as electronic recordkeeping, put in place better management for chronic diseases and create a reinsurance pool for catastrophic illnesses to take the burden of their costs off of other premium payers.

Clinton revisits health care and affordability »
The New York Times | May 25, 2007

Preventive care and medicine represented a major component of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s health care plan, which was introduced today. Mrs. Clinton said she would cut health care spending by $120 billion a year through prevention programs, coordinated treatment of chronic diseases and computerized record keeping. She attributed the rise in costs to increases in obesity and in diseases like diabetes, asthma and heart disease that she said could be combated by focusing on preventive efforts.

Rendell launching an effort to battle chronic diseases
Pittsburg Post Gazette | May 21, 2007

Gov. Ed Rendell announced a statewide health proposal to create a chronic care commission aimed at improving care for patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases. Rendells wants to implement a model approach to chronic care that provides patients with support and information to better manage their health. The commission would determine how the model should be implemented around the state.

Health care: Prevention works
The Seattle Post Intelligencer | May 8, 2007

Dr. Dexter Shurney, chief medical officer of Nashville-based Healthways, writes, "If our health care system could shift a small percentage of total spending into programs that help prevent people from getting sick in the first place, it would dramatically reduce the overall cost of care. And when people are sick, if we could target more resources to helping them manage their illness -- rather than waiting for the next episode that requires hospitalization and treatment -- we could help reduce health care costs and have healthier people."

Campaign 2008: The "health" primary
Newsweek | April 23, 2007

Sen. Fred Thompson recently disclosed his history of cancer. Many believe this to be an indication he will run for President. "Should Thompson get into the race, he'll be the third GOP candidate with a history of cancer, in a campaign where age and health are increasingly prominent issues. John McCain underwent surgery for skin cancer in 2000; Rudy Giuliani is a prostate-cancer survivor."

Romney plays down role in health law
Washington Post | April 13, 2007

Gov. Mitt Romney seems to be distancing himself from the Massachusetts health care plan he signed into law during his term as governor of the state. People in both parties wonder why Romney isn't doing more to tout his health care plan. Recent speeches have largely excluded mention of the program. Some believe he's shying away from the plan for fear that supporters on the right will see it as an example of "big government."

R.W. Johnson Foundation to spend $500 M against childhood obesity
Associated Press | April 4, 2007

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently announced a plan to spend more than $500 million over the next five years to combat rising rates of childhood obesity. Former Surgeon General David Satcher called the foundation's effort "tremendous".

Obama says U.S. ready for health care reform
The Associated Press | April 6, 2007

Sen. Obama opened up about a few more details of his plan for health care reform but reaffirmed his belief that a plan requires sufficient political support before it can be successfully proposed.

How to Live with Cancer
Time | March 29, 2007

In the course of a few days, both Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Presidential candidate John Edwards, and White House spokesman Tony Snow revealed that they are not just battling recurrences of cancer but also contending with malignancies that have spread and are no longer curable.

States push fitness programs
The Associated Press | March 19, 2007

States are launching online initiatives to help residents get healthy. One example, Indiana's 10 in 10 Challenge, is profiled in this story.

Mississippi gets moving for healthy living
The Memphis Commercial Appeal | March 19, 2007

Mississippi in Motion is a new healthy lifestyle educational program, sponsored by Mississippi State University Extension Service and other organizations. The program will address healthy lifestyles for adults and children.

The State; Big mother is watching with new laws in mind; Democratic proposals to regulate behavior draw Republican scorn
Los Angeles Times | March 8, 2007

A crop of "nanny bills" are being introduced in the California legislature, some of which would impact the health decision-making of the residents. Bills include additional smoking bans, restricting trans fats, and requiring chain restaurants to list nutritional data.

Poll: Strong support for spending more on kids' health insurance
The Associated Press | March 5, 2007

A recent poll showed that New Hampshire voters are in favor of state and federal governments spending more money on providing health insurance to poor children. Nearly 90% favor increasing state funding for the program, though that question did not include a dollar amount.

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