Health Care Reform:

News and Features Related to Health Care Reform

141. Brand Rx Prices Rise Another 6.3%
     

     Sept. 19, 2006 -- Wholesale prices for popular brand-name drugs rose 6.3% between June 2005 and June 2006, a study released by the seniors' group AARP concluded Tuesday. That's nearly double the rate of general inflation. The increase translates to an average of $283 dollars in additional drug costs

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142. Medicare Premiums to Rise Nearly 6%
     

     Sept. 13, 2006 -- Seniors' Medicare premiums for doctors' visits are set to go up $5 per month next year, the government announced Tuesday. Most beneficiaries will now pay $93.50 per month -- a 5.6% rise over this year's premiums. But Medicare officials warned that the costs could go higher if docto

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143. Over 46 Million Lack Health Insurance
     

     Aug. 29, 2006 -- More than 46 million people in the U.S. lacked health insurance in 2005, an increase of 1.3 million since 2004. According to the latest U.S. Census statistics: 45.3 million (15.6% of the population) were uninsured in 2004. 46.6 million (15.9% of the population) were uninsured in 200

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144. 3 of 4 Want Health Care Overhaul
     

     Aug. 17, 2006 - Half of middle- and lower-income Americans have serious problems paying their medical bills, and more than three-fourths say the system is in need of a major overhaul, according to a new survey. The results show Americans are growing increasingly concerned about the affordability of

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145. Language Barrier Affecting Health Care
     

     July 19, 2006 -- Identifying autism autism in a very young child is difficult under the best of circumstances, but Nelsinia Ramos faced a special challenge seven years ago when she sought a diagnosis to explain her young daughter Jennifer's developmental delays. Ramos spoke little English, but she w

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146. Medicare Help Lines Not So Helpful
     

     July 10, 2006 -- Telephone centers set up to answer questions about Medicare Medicare prescription drug benefits are providing mostly inaccurate and incomplete information to callers, a government report concluded Monday. The call-in lines are supposed to serve as a key contact point between private

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147. 14 Hospitals Ranked Best in the U.S.
     

     July 10, 2006 -- U.S. News and World Report has published its 2006 list of America's best hospitals. Fourteen hospitals made the magazine's honor roll, with Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Md., in the top spot. Here's the list: Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, Md.) Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.) The C

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148. Government Releases Hospital Prices
     

     June 1, 2006 -- Consumers can now access limited information on the price of some hospital services under an initiative announced today by the Bush administration. Health officials unveiled a new web site containing prices hospitals typically charge for 30 popular medical services, as well as how mu

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149. Medicare Rx Drug Plan: Final Call
     

     May 12, 2006 -- Monday marks the deadline for Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for prescription drug benefits. The deadline has left some seniors scrambling to select coverage, a decision which in some states means choosing between more than 60 options. Confusion has led to calls in Congress for a

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150. Small-Business Health Insurance Flops
     

     May 12, 2006 -- The Senate turned away a bill Thursday that would have let small businesses join together to buy lower-cost medical insurance for workers. The bill garnered 55 votes on a procedural vote that would have required 60 supporters to pass. Nearly half the nation's 46 million uninsured peo

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