Healthcare Reform

Obama on Healthcare Reform: ‘Let’s Get It Done’

2010-01-28T13:25:00Z

The words "healthcare reform" didn't cross President Obama's lips until the last half of his State of the Union address Jan. 27, but the wait was worth it for those who have supported reform since the legislative process began last year. "Don't walk away from reform," he told members of Congress. "Not when we are so close. Let's get it done. "I didn't choose to tackle this issue for good politics," Obama joked. Instead, he called for healthcare reform because of the stories he heard: people who have...(read more)

Congress’s Four Options for Healthcare Reform

2010-01-27T14:16:00Z

Last week was not a good one for those who want a healthcare reform bill passed this week, this month, or maybe even this year. Massachusetts elected Scott Brown on Jan. 19. The Republican state senator voted for his state's healthcare reform overhaul in 2006, but he's likely to be the 41st senator needed to block legislation with a filibuster. Brown's capture of the Senate seat, held by the late Edward G. "Teddy" Kennedy for the past 40 years, may be the impetus to mute the debate for a while since...(read more)

Healthcare Reform Bill Nears Final Vote; But Is it ‘Real’ Reform?

2009-12-22T20:36:00Z

Still focused on passing a healthcare reform bill before the end of the year, the U.S. Senate plans to vote one last time on a bill Christmas Eve. But the largest nurses’ union in the country is not too pleased. “It is tragic to see the promise from Washington this year for genuine, comprehensive reform ground down to a seriously flawed bill that could actually exacerbate the healthcare crisis and financial insecurity for American families, and that cedes far too much additional power to the tyranny...(read more)

An Independent Streak on Healthcare Reform

2009-12-16T13:04:00Z

Every time it seems the U.S. is getting closer to passing a healthcare reform bill, news breaks of last-minute amendments and revisions that compromise the purpose of reform: to insure more Americans. Most recently, a spotlight has shone on Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-CT), who is unwilling to budge on certain government-backed insurance programs the bill would create. Lieberman usually votes with the Democrats, the party he used to belong to, but when it comes to the healthcare reform bill, he won't...(read more)

House Healthcare Reform Bill: What’s In It for Nurses?

2009-11-04T15:19:00Z

Like all political propositions, healthcare reform has left nurses wondering what's in it for them. Why should they support a bill? What could it do to their roles? The American Nurses Association examined the Affordable Health Care for America Act , introduced in late October by the U.S. House of Representatives, finding there's a lot in it pertaining to nurses. For instance, the bill would create programs aimed at building the workforce and reimbursing more for services provided by nurse practitioners....(read more)

‘Now is the Time’ — Obama Urges Congress to Pass Healthcare Reform

2009-09-10T19:41:00Z

President Obama spoke before Congress last night urging lawmakers to pass healthcare reform this year, telling them, "Time for bickering is over. Time of games is over. We need to bring the ideas of both parties together. Now is the time to deliver on healthcare." To clear up any confusion, the president provided some details of the bills drafted by Congress. He said nothing changes for people who receive health insurance through their employers, those on Medicare, Medicaid, and those who receive...(read more)

Congress Heads Back to Work, Healthcare Reform Debate Resumes

2009-09-04T17:58:00Z

Just days back from their August recess, members of Congress will host President Obama during a joint session of Congress on Wed., Sept. 9 to discuss --- you've guessed it --- healthcare reform. The White House hasn't previewed his talking points, but he'll likely reiterate the need for Congress to pass a reform bill that provides coverage to all Americans, helps lower the cost of healthcare, improve quality of care, while not adding to the federal deficit. CBS News political director Steve Chaggaris...(read more)

Edward M. Kennedy (1932-2009)

2009-08-26T13:32:00Z

Like a lot of people, I woke up this morning to the news Sen. Edward M. ("Teddy") Kennedy died last night, Aug. 25, a little over a year since announcing he had brain cancer. He was 77 years old. Serving the people of Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate for 46 years, Sen. Kennedy led legislation on civil rights , education , immigration , among other issues. In 2002, he voted against giving President Bush authority to invade Iraq, an act he referred to as his proudest Senate vote. It was healthcare,...(read more)

Nurses Need to Self-Educate

2009-08-24T15:49:00Z

My colleague Stacey Miller, who directs ADVANCE's Healthcare Reform Center , succinctly discussed in her Aug. 12 post, "Separating Healthcare Reform Facts From Fiction," the importance of healthcare consumers' ability to sort out credible information from erroneous chatter related to potential changes being proposed and discussed. However, there are many consumers who are confused about the volume of information communicated by all forms of media. Certainly, I can understand why they might feel anxious...(read more)

Separating the Healthcare Reform Facts from Fiction

2009-08-12T16:08:00Z

If you’ve turned on television news in the past week, chances are good you’ve seen footage of town-hall meetings turn sour. Members of Congress are using their August break to return to their districts to further explain to their constituents what healthcare reform is all about. But, as evident in Tampa, FL , fights are breaking out, voices are being raised and commonsense is going out the door. Watching the footage two things are clear: people are scared and they’re misinformed. Elizabeth Lee Vliet,...(read more)

Why Isn't the Personal Political?

2009-07-30T16:02:00Z

Launch Google, Bing or your favorite search engine. Do a news search for “healthcare reform.” Open each article on the first page of results and ask your computer to find the words “personal responsibility.” Lost in the debate over healthcare reform is a serious discussion about my role and yours, and I cannot think of anything more important to talk about. As politicians and stakeholder groups volley proposals and counterpoints, where is the parallel campaign to encourage healthy eating habits,...(read more)

Lackluster Public or Lack of Information?

2009-07-24T17:45:00Z

Like most issues in Washington, the game of politics is bogging down progress on healthcare reform. When it comes to when a healthcare reform bill could go to the full House and Senate for a vote, on one hand, you have President Obama during his primetime press conference July 22 saying he wants it before the lawmakers leave for the August recess. If not, the issue will lose inertia, he said. On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) says that won't happen because the Senate Finance...(read more)

Healthcare Reform Debate

2009-07-23T18:16:00Z

Anyone who lives in an area where a major road construction project has been planned has probably experienced this. You go to a meeting at the local high school or community center where Department of Transportation engineers explain the proposed location of each route, compare the costs of constructing each route and, of most concern to the community, whether any route will cut through homeowners' properties and displace them. Later this summer, a similar scene will play out in Washington. Two Senate...(read more)