GOP’s bid on Medicare fails
Philadelphia Inq reports
WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats closed ranks yesterday behind $460 billion in politically risky cuts in Medicare payments that are crucial to their health-care legislation, thwarting a Republican attempt to doom the overhaul.
The GOP bid to reverse cuts to the popular program drew two Democratic defectors but failed, 58-42.
Approval of the amendment would have [...]
Health care issues: Medical cost inflation
Philadelphia Inq Reports:
A look at key issues in the health care debate:
THE ISSUE: Why do medical costs increase at a rate faster than inflation?
THE POLITICS: Health care spending over the past year increased by 3.2 percent even as overall consumer prices dropped 2.1 percent. That’s not unusual in the United States, where health care spending [...]
Pa. hospital, union ink new contract, avert strike
Philadelphia Inq reports:
POTTSTOWN, Pa. – A strike at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center has been narrowly averted.
Health care workers voted Tuesday by a 93 percent majority to ratify a new three-year contract with hospital owner Community Health Systems.
The settlement comes after two contract extensions and averts a strike deadline that was scheduled for 7 a.m. Wednesday.
The [...]
Democrats decry ’scare tactics’ as GOP senator says seniors will ‘die sooner’ under overhaul
On the Senate floor in health care debate Senator Coburn says seniors citizens will die sooner because of this bill. Democrats defend the bill calling this a scare tactic. The bill cuts medicare funding by $400 billion, which Senator McCain opposes and plans to amend.
Hospitals Round-Up for 11.24
See what’s up with Mount Nittany Medical Center, Jefferson Health System, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Temple University Health System, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Aria Health System, Mercy Health System, Abington Memorial Hospital, and a proposed new women’s health center
The latest advice on mammograms…missing the point
Even a routine mammography may not have discovered this woman’s cancer, however, preventative care can save lives.
Mammography: What to Do Now?
US News & World Report reports:
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) — When a U.S. government task force recommended that women wait until they’re 50 to get their first mammogram to check for breast cancer, reaction was swift.
Critics such as the American Cancer Society vowed to stand by its advice that annual screening begin at age 40 [...]
RNC health insurance plan covers abortions
Philadelphia Inq reports:
WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee’s health insurance plan covers elective abortions for its employees, an option Republicans strongly oppose in health overhaul legislation that Democrats are trying to push through Congress.
Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele learned of the policy’s abortion coverage Thursday through a news report and immediately instructed staff to inform [...]
Health care issues: US costs vs. other countries
Philadelphia Inq Reports:
A look at key issues in the health care debate.
THE ISSUE: U.S. health care costs are significantly higher than those in other developed countries.
THE POLITICS: Americans spend an average of $7,290 a year on health care, more than twice the average for developed countries. Despite that, the United States lags in life expectancy, [...]
DC station airs demo of bare breast self-exams
Philadelphia Inq reports
SARAH KARUSH
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON – The ABC affiliate here is airing a two-part series that takes a close , and unobscured , look at breast self-exams. The series is airing during the fall “sweeps” period critical for a TV station’s ad revenue, prompting concern by a parental watchdog group. But WJLA insists it’s [...]