Medigap Reform : Setting the Context

http://www.kff.org/medicare/upload/8235.pdf

this kaiser family report examines the impact of changes in medigap policies.  evidently medigap changes are being considered  by the deficit committee. 

U.S. Health Insurance Cost Rises Sharply, Study Finds

http://tinyurl.com/693aeja

this nytimes article raises tough questions especially for obama and health reform. hope the article's thoughts that the future may be better is right, but this will not help for now.  

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- September 2011

This month’s poll examines public opinion about the "super committee" and explores the views and experience of individuals who have pre-existing health conditions, in addition to continuing tracking opinion about the health reform law.

New Study: U.S. Ranks Last Among High-Income Nations on Preventable Deaths

http://newsletters.commonwealthfund.org/t/9034/254346/4240/0/

not good news, but we have generally known this.  

AHR: Inside Deficit Reduction and Health Care

Alliance for Health Reform Session.  Complete webpage is at

http://tinyurl.com/4xyspqn

Some key panel members participated in this program.  I think very highly of Bob Greenstein, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. 

Videotape of session 

http://tinyurl.com/3ewryhd

I participate in alliance session with couple of questions to panel. Can be seen at 1:11 and 1:58 of  program.  My second question was what changes in health policy do you recommend to debt supercommittee and what is likely to come out of committee.

Raising Expectations: A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities, and Family Caregivers

http://tinyurl.com/69ltvlm

 From AARP

this report describes state differences on four key dimensions of long term care. The key dimensions are affordability and access; choice of setting and provider; quality of life and quality of care; and support for family caregivers.

Three New Reports Examine Trends in the Medicare Advantage Marketplace

http://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare_advantage_2011.cfm

this link has 4 reports

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Market Update

Firm Perspectives on the Medicare Advantage Market

Special Needs Plans: Availability and Enrollment

Plan Availability and Premiums 

first report indicates enrollment increased in MA plans even after reform bill reduced payments.  

Nation's 'Underinsured' Grew 80 Percent from 2003 to 2010

http://tinyurl.com/3fcxnd9

Court Blocks Suit Against Health Law

http://tinyurl.com/3rttqm3

hope this is good news for the future

deficit committee timeline

here is timeline from Congressional Quarterly

•  Sept. 8: Organizational meeting of joint committee.
• Sept. 13: First hearing of joint committee.
• Oct. 14: Deadline for standing committees to forward their recommendations to joint committee.
• Nov. 23: Deadline for joint committee to vote on legislative proposals, with a 10-year deficit reduction goal of $1.5 trillion.
• Dec. 2: Deadline for joint committee to formally report proposals.
• Dec. 23: Deadline for House and Senate to vote on proposals, without amendment.
• Jan. 15, 2012: Deadline for enactment of at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction, or across-the-board spending cuts will be triggered.
• Jan. 2, 2013: If triggered, across-the-board cuts will take effect.

State-federal review of health insurance rate increases begins, double-digit price hikes must be justified

http://tinyurl.com/3d3sesq

another important benefit of Affordable care act. 

also, see

Check out this short video about the new rules that protect consumers from double-digit rate hikes: http://youtu.be/V8DIwK33TDA