Healthcare Special Interest Groups in the Legislative Process

By Lori Grant | Mar 24, 2009

Now that we understand the role of Congress and its committee system, what role will interest groups play in healthcare reform? How can special interest groups influence healthcare reform in the legislative process? Before we answer this question, we must first understand the function of special interest groups.
Special Interest Groups Defined
Special interests groups are an [...]

The Congressional Committee System and Healthcare Reform

By Lori Grant | Mar 18, 2009

On a daily basis, we see health reform news headlines, like “Congressional Committee Chairs to Lead Health Care Reform Effort,” “Obama Open to Baucus’ Idea of Taxing Health Benefits,” or “Sen. Kennedy helps launch Obama administration’s health-care effort.”
What role will congressional committees play in healthcare reform? To understand how the committee system affects healthcare reform [...]

The Role of Congress and its Legislative Process in Healthcare Reform

By Lori Grant | Mar 18, 2009

Every day we read headlines like “Health-care Reform Consensus Builds Around Three Major Goals,” “White House Healthcare Summit Offers Opportunity for Input Into Reform,” or “WellPoint CEO optimistic about healthcare reform.” To understand the news on healthcare reform, we must understand the role of Congress and its legislative process. What’s the job a Senator [...]

Bill Clinton Says Road to Healthcare Reform Easier Now

By Lori Grant | Mar 13, 2009

Former President Bill Clinton says President Obama’s plan less controversial than the one he pushed in 1993. In an interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta taped for CNN’s “Larry King Live,” Clinton said “We have a simpler, clearer path to the future.”
Embedded video from <a href=”http://www.cnn.com/video” mce_href=”http://www.cnn.com/video”>CNN Video</a>
President Obama’s plan avoids some of the more controversial [...]

Health Insurers & Drug Companies Contributed $5.5 Million to Top Senate and House Recipients

By Lori Grant | Mar 10, 2009

According to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Consumer Watchdog, “health insurers and pharmaceutical manufacturers contributed $5.5 million to the top 10 recipients in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives during the last two election cycles.”
The Consumer Watchdog’s study found that:

Health insurers contributed $2.2 million to the top 10 members of the U.S. Senate and House.
Drug manufacturers [...]

An Overview of the Healthcare Delivery System

By Lori Grant | Mar 9, 2009

Healthcare reform. The idea of healthcare reform feels daunting to me. President Obama’s health insurance reform includes the following goals as listed at The White House:

Require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions so all Americans regardless of their health status or history can get comprehensive benefits at fair and stable premiums.
Create a new Small Business [...]

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Healthcare Spending

By Lori Grant | Mar 5, 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, jump starts President Obama’s healthcare reform. According to Families USA, the bill includes healthcare spending for Medicaid, healthcare efficiencies, assistance for seniors by providing  healthcare provisions. The following are highlights from the stimulus bill:

COBRA: $24.7 billion to subsidized to [...]