Archive for April 2011
THE FRIDAY RUNDOWN: All the Rage
As more U.S. residents become aware of the content of Republicans’ fiscal year 2012 budget proposal (H Con Res 34), the GOP increasingly has felt the need to defend the plan, particularly the provision that would significantly overhaul entitlement programs. Perhaps that is because a restless public is growing frustrated with the thought of losing Medicare, or maybe it’s because Democrats are telling them that they’ll lose the program.
Here’s what you need to know from the last week in health policy news.
‘Like Taking Candy From a Baby’ Idiom To Be Replaced by ‘Like Stealing From Your Children and Grandchildren’
And it’s all because of Medicare.
We Spend More on Health Care, and We Spend Faster, According to Lauded Graphs
Ezra Klein presents “The three most important health care graphics in the world.”
GOP Proposal To Overhaul Medicare Continues To Face Criticisms at Town Halls
A plan to overhaul Medicare in House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) fiscal year 2012 budget blueprint continues to face vocal opposition in town-hall meetings across the country, Politico reports (Haberkorn, Politico, 4/28). The Medicare reform plan — a centerpiece of the House-approved GOP FY 2012 budget resolution (H Con Res 34) — would privatize the program by providing beneficiaries with fixed, lump-sum vouchers to purchase private health insurance (American Health Line, 4/27). Ryan himself has faced criticism at 19 public events over the past two weeks, during which he discussed the budget plan (Korte, USA Today, 4/29). The Washington Post‘s “The Plum Line” reports that at least nine other House Republicans have been similarly criticized by constituents at events over the Easter recess. According to the “The Plum Line,” Democrats and liberal advocacy groups are trying to build a media narrative around widespread discontent over the GOP budget plan (Sargent, “The Plum Line,” Washington Post, 4/28). However, USA Today reports that many of the town halls have been mostly friendly, with only a few pointed questions from attendees (USA Today, 4/29).
Everybody Loves ObamaCare
Ezra Klein notes that the GOP seems to be embracing the federal health reform law when defending Rep. Paul Ryan’s (D-Wis.) FY 2012 budget resolution.
AHL’s Top Story: Senate To Vote on House GOP Plan After Recess, Reid Says
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) yesterday confirmed that he will schedule a preliminary floor vote on the House-approved GOP fiscal year 2012 budget resolution (H Con Res 34) when senators return next week from recess, Politico reports. Reid did not specify a timeline for the vote, but he said that it would force Republicans to take a stand on the proposal, which has drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers (Shiner, Politico, 4/27). During a media conference call to discuss the Senate’s agenda for the next few months, Reid said the vote would give Senate Republicans the opportunity to indicate whether “they like the Ryan budget [plan] as much as their House colleagues did,” National Journal reports. He also noted that the vote is necessary to allow the debate to move toward a final budget compromise. The Ryan plan is likely to fail in the Democrat-controlled Senate, according to National Journal (McCarthy, National Journal, 4/27).
Treadmill Desks Make Work More Disheartening, Healthier
NPR’s “Shots” blog reports a “loyal following” for treadmill desks that seek to up your metabolism and downsize your waistline while you perform stationary tasks all day. What happened to that belt that electrocutes your abs?
Following Resolution of Obama Birth Certificate Scandal, the Hawaii Health Department Can Go Back To Work
Things should cool down for the Hawaii Department of Health following the release of President Obama’s long-form birth certificate. At least staffers won’t have to read the words ‘BLOODY’ in all caps anymore.
A Tale of Two Studies
One report hails the federal health reform law as the best of times, and the other, well, you know.
Pet Insurance Rising, Everyone Too Fatigued To Call for Animal Health Reform
The Californian reports that an increase in veterinarian costs is prompting people to buy pet insurance.
