A round up of some health care news

From the Washington Post:

More Health-Care Politicking :

"Unfortunately, House Democratic leaders chose to muscle the program through the chamber last week in such a way as to fail to win over any wavering Republicans and to annoy enough others that the prospects for a compromise may be worse than ever. 'They will have ticked so many people off . . . that I don't know how they can get anyone' to change positions, Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) said of Democrats -- and he's been trying to help them round up support."

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If the Democrats' goal is to win approval of a measure that would cover more poor children and not to simply score extra political points by keeping the issue alive, it's hard to see how their tactics made sense. If Mr. Bush and his Republican allies really are committed to getting children the health coverage they need and not just to preventing Democrats from racking up a legislative achievement, it's hard to explain their continuing intransigence.

Geez, do we really need this kind of politicking right now?

There there is this from The New York Times:

Health Sector Puts Its Money on Democrats

"People in the health care industry say the giving reflects a growing sense that the Democrats are in a strong position to win the White House next year. It also underscores the industry’s frantic effort to influence the candidates, as Democrats push their proposals to address what many polls show is a top concern among voters."

“Everybody in the industry knows that health care reform is on its way, and you have only two decisions: sit on the sidelines or get on the field,” said Kenneth E. Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association.

So we can expect some sort of national health care? Or will the politicians use it for fundraising with no intention of getting the job done?

And then we have today's comments from the President, Bush Says Congress Is Wasting Time:

The president again criticized Democrats over the S-CHIP bill, saying the Senate had taken up a second version of the legislation passed by the House “despite knowing it does not have a chance of becoming law.”

While the president vetoed the first version, saying it spent too much money and covered not just the poor children it is intended to help but some middle-class children and adults, he said this version would spend even more.

“After going alone and going nowhere, Congress should instead work with the administration on a bill that puts poor children first,” he said. “We want to sit down in good faith and come up with a bill that is responsible.”

Meanwhile, The Indianapolis Star has Company brings health care to workplace.

The idea to bring a free health-care clinic into the plant sprouted in August 2006, when human resource manager David Milbee attended a Society of Human Resource Management seminar.

"We put the idea on the table and talked about what we could do to reduce health costs and make our employees healthier," said Brian Myers, Biddle president.

In the spring, Myers and Milbee visited a factory that has a free clinic in Knoxville, Tenn. They both thought it was too good to be true, and not long after, Biddle contracted with Novia. Biddle already had space for the clinic, so little construction was needed, and the clinic opened July 31.

Myers said Biddle provides its own health insurance for its nearly 180 employees, not working through another provider. He said their premium rates are low, with coverage for one person costing $12.50 per week and coverage for a family $35 per week. But the real cost to the company comes, Myers said, when an employee sees a doctor, pays a small co-pay for the visit, and Biddle has to pay the difference.

Additionally, the company loses productivity when an employee is out for several hours to see the doctor. Using the clinic, employees are away from the job site about 20 minutes.