Senate Confronts Hike In Health Care Premiums

By Laurel Brishel Prichard University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions confronted the issue of ever-rising premiums in the health insurance market and the possible need to enact legislation to block unjustified increases during a hearing Tuesday.

The absence of language specifically barring unfair increases in the health care reform legislation passed last month has prompted Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA.) to propose the Health Insurance Rate Authority Act, which would give the Secretary of Health and Human Services the ability to stop premium or other unjustifiable rate increases.

“Without further legislative action, I am concerned that health insurance companies will continue to do what they have done for far too long: put their profits ahead of people,” Feinstein, who appeared before the committee as a witness, said.

President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Karen Ignagni, who also testified before the committee, stressed that the members of her association were “fully cognizant” of the burden that high insurance premiums place on Americans.

However, “Health care premiums are a symptom, not a cause,” Ignagni said.

Ignagni insisted that the rising cost of premiums is a result of the increase in the underlying costs of health care. According to Ignagni, in order to keep premiums in check, the government needs to look beyond the insurance market and into the health care fields to see why those cost have been elevated.

“That is what our advocacy in health care reform had been all about. We were very, very concerned [when] we saw costs exploding,” said Ignagni.

Waxman: Republicans Had Their Chance On Health Care Reform

By Sofia Sanchez University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

While some Republicans are still fuming over the passage of health care reform weeks ago, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), a key player in the health care debate, said Tuesday that the GOP could have steered the bill toward more conservative principles if they had come to the table instead of working solely to defeat the legislation.

“We could have engaged in the discussion on how to modify it and how to change it, but that’s not what they wanted to do,” said Waxman during a forum held by Atlantic Magazine.

Waxman compared the effort from conservatives to derail health care reform to President Bill Clinton’s attempt to overhaul the health care system during the early days of his administration.

“Their objective was to repeat 1994 ... defeat the bill, then get the Republican party in power,” said Waxman.

Waxman, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, brushed away concerns that the passage of the bill could hurt Democrats in November.

“Victory breeds more victory," said Waxman. "We are not going to lose control in the fall."

Added the 18 term Congressman, “We would if we had failed.”

Insurers Want Eligible Amercians To Sign Up For Health Benefits

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

President and Chief Executive Officer of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Karen Ignagni said Monday that qualified Americans should participate in Enroll America.

Enroll America is a non-profit organization which is encouraging anyone who is eligible for government insurance subsidies or Medicaid to become enrolled.

"We have about ten million people now who are eligible for public programs who are not enrolled," said Ignagni. "It is important for people to understand how they can get covered now."

Ignagni commented on the lack of communication between patients and their medical caretakers. She said health care literacy can create a divide between the patient and the practitioner, adding that the goal of Enroll America is to educate citizens about health care options available to them.

"We're excited to be contributing to the ability for individuals to understand more of what is being communicated and to work with physicians and other healthcare practitioners to bring that about," she said.

Ignagni also focused on the importance of creating uniformity in the medical sphere and encouraged payment reforms.

"More can be done to align what's going on in private sectors as well as the public sector to promote payment reform that allows doctors in hospitals...to practice medicine. We can create uniformity...and yes, we can protect practitioners from malpractice concerns," said Ignagni.

U.S. Surgeon General Outlines Commitment To Preventative Care

By Justine Rellosa- Talk Radio News Service

U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin stated that preventative care and practices will be her main focus while serving as Surgeon General during remarks at a Tuesday morning meeting with the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC).

"The basis of my priorities is wellness and prevention," said Benjamin. "I think that the preventative care is where we really are going to change this health care system from a sick system to a wellness system."

Benjamin emphasized the importance of creating an atmosphere in which patients are able to feel comfortable and safe while building a long-term, trust-based relationship within their primary care settings. The patient centered medical home (PCMH) initiative is meant to foster these relations by improving the quality and efficiency of health care through transforming the way primary care is practiced and reimbursed.

"Patients are ultimately the decision maker, and they really should be. We should be there to help them and be there to give them information to help them make their decisions. We shouldn't make their decisions for them," said Benjamin.

Pelosi: Threats Against Lawmakers Have No Place

By Sofia Sanchez
University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said recent threats against Members who voted 'yes' on healthcare reform are unacceptable.

“I believe words have power, they weigh a ton," said Pelosi when asked to compare the current threats to those levied against famed San Francisco politician Harvey Milk during the 1970's.

The Speaker said she does not want the threatening emails, letters and voicemails from constituents angry with their elected officials to distract lawmakers from passing the Reconiciliation Act.

“We are here to pass health care for all Americans,” she said.

Pelosi scolded any Republicans who may have encouraged protesters to make noise during House debate inside the Capitol building earlier this week.

"I do think that this Congress and House of Representatives is a classroom, and that it is inappropriate for members of Congress to stand up and cheer when these sentiments are expressed in the gallery,” she said.

Pelosi reminded those opposed to healthcare reform that they will soon have a legal and more peaceful chance to express their discontent with lawmakers

“Elections are a way for us to show our pleasure or displeasure with a particular point of view."