health reform
Life Expectancy: The U.S. Falls Short, Despite High Spending
A new study from Columbia University finds that the reasons America is lagging other countries aren't the commonly cited obesity, smoking, traffic fatalities and homicide. Rather, the problem has been poor health care, or rather, a poor health care system.
Health Care After Reforms: More to Cheer than Fear
Some states are balking Obama's health-reform requirements for them to set up exchanges on which uninsured individuals and small businesses can purchase health coverage. But a closer look suggests uninsured Americans will be better off.
AT&T's Huge Health Reform Charge Is Just the Start
With the passage of health reform, top U.S. corporations are taking huge charges because the law is expected to reduce the deductions they can claim for their various employee health-care programs. On Friday, AT&T said it would need to take a $1 billion non-cash charge.
Why We Should Be Glad Health Reform Passed
There are some valid concerns about the health reform legislation, starting with the fact that there aren't enough cost-cutting measures -- or curbs on the insurance industry. But this law is our best bet to save both lives and money.
Why Health Care Reform Must Be Resuscitated
Obama and congressional leaders have one last chance to convince Americans that health reform is above politics. There's no question the plan is complicated -- and probably flawed -- but failure to pass it means fewer will be able to afford insurance and costs will keep climbing.
Health Insurer Profits Up 250% in Last Decade
Profits for the 10 largest U.S. insurance companies jumped 250% between 2000 and 2009, while millions of Americans have lost coverage, a report released Thursday said. The report found that the five biggest insurance companies saw their profits increase 56% in 2009 alone.
Whole Foods CEO: Be Like Me
Whole Foods CEO John Mackey's plan to give employees breaks on health insurance for lower blood pressure and body mass index is ruffling feathers. Has this notorious "right-wing hippie" gone too far?
The State of the Union
Will Depend on Jobs
During his address Wednesday night, look for President Obama to focus on solutions for problem No. 1: The lack of jobs. Employment growth will determine not just the economy's fate, but also that of the Democratic majorities in Congress -- and possibly of Obama's presidency.
How a Tea Party-Led U.S. Might Look
Tea Partiers have been angry about many things including taxes, bank bailouts and health care reform. These citizens favor limited government and a free market. Problem is, it was the free market that led to the crisis that created the very miserable economic conditions the Tea Partiers protest.
Feds Push Health Care System to Go Paperless
With most U.S. hospitals and doctors' offices still mired in paper, new federal standards for electronic records seek to resolve this mess -- although they're not without controversy.
For Democrats, It's Create Jobs or Lose Power
The clock is ticking for Democrats. Obama and his party have just six months to create jobs and lower unemployment, or divided government in Washington is ahead. Failure to improve the jobs outlook by summer means Republicans could return to power in the U.S. House in the November elections.
Dialysis Firm DaVita 'Nervous' About Reform
While DaVita says health reform would allow the dialysis-center operator to offer more integrated care, it could hurt business if Medicare recipients become an even bigger part of its patient load. CEO Kent Thiry reviews the pros and cons of reform.
Health Reform Leaves Millions Uninsured
As it now exists, health-reform legislation is hardly a leap to "universal" coverage -- some 23 million Americans will be left out. Plus, neither the Senate nor the House version takes effect before 2013, leaving many newly eligible without insurance for years.
Obama Gets Climate Deal but Emissions Cuts Not Binding
In a political victory, Barack Obama emerged from the climate summit in Copenhagen Friday with a global deal to reduce earth-harming emissions. But greens were disappointed the cuts weren't binding while skeptics were sad there was any deal at all.
