July 6, 2010 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on July 1st unveiled an innovative new on-line tool aimed at helping consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources to access quality, affordable health care coverage.
 
Called for by the Affordable Care Act, www.HealthCare.gov is the first website to provide consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool.

Affordable Care Act Program provides temporary coverage for Americans without insurance due to pre-existing conditions through 2014 when new insurance exchanges are established; Californians may apply starting in August


July 5, 2010 (Washington D.C) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on July 1st the establishment of a new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) that will offer coverage to uninsured Americans who have been unable to obtain health coverage because of a pre-existing health condition.

Insurer also targeted breast cancer patients with computer program to terminate their coverage

April 27, 2010 (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) expressed outrage after Reuters published a story detailing how WellPoint Inc. used a special computer program to target breast cancer patients and terminate their health coverage. (Read the story here.) WellPoint is the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross of California, which plans to hike premium rates by up to 39 percent on 800,000 California policyholders on May 1.

"We have a duty to protect the American people from the corporate greed of these for-profit, publically traded health insurance companies," said Senator Feinstein. "If a CEO thinks it is okay to deprive women of their health coverage when they become seriously ill with breast cancer, we can't trust them to do the right thing, period. Left to their own devices, companies like WellPoint will throw paying customers to the sharks for the sake of profit."

 
April 21, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Tom Gehring, executive director of the San Diego Medical Society, will be the featured speaker at the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce “Sunup Breakfast” this Friday, April 23. His nonpartisan presentation will discuss how the new federal healthcare reform bill will affect businesses of all sizes.
 
In addition, Maria Montana, Accion loan officer, will advise business owners how to obtain small business loans and be prepared for the upcoming stronger economy, advises Chamber president Valerie Harrision. “Be prepared, or your competition will be!”

By Sylvia Hampton

April 6, 2010 (San Diego) --Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, in his monthly report to the district, continues his opposition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and its accompanying Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act signed into law recently. Hunter says he opposes “any approach that imposes higher taxes and onerous regulation.” 

What he is missing with this statement is the rising cost of health insurance premiums (like a tax out of control,) the obvious need for stronger regulation of the insurance companies and the over-all rising cost of care. As the nation faced increasing numbers of uninsured and under-insured, Hunter ignored the issue and didn’t even include “health care” as a priority on his website.

 
 
By Mike Benoit

April 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- First and foremost the word tyranny, as it is being used here, means: “taking power over something without the right.”

It looks like once again the race for the 52nd California Congressional Seat will have two tyranny candidates and one freedom based constitutionalist going at it. The case in point is the candidates' stand on the recent health care bill.

Editor's note:  At least 10 members of Congress who voted for the healthcare reform bill have received threats of violence or harassment.  Some family members of Congressional representatives have also been targeted, including one Congressman's brother who had a gas line intentionally severed at his home, police report.  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has called on Republican leaders to condemn such acts, which are being investigated by the FBI.   

By Emma Turner
Republican candidate, 78th Assembly District

March 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- As an African American woman who happens to be a moderate Republican, I am appalled at the incendiary language and violent actions which have ensued since the House of Representatives passed the healthcare bill on Sunday, March 21, 2010. I hereby strongly denounce this rhetoric and these violent acts, regardless of where they originate.

Beyond the hype, snipes and myths, what will the landmark measure really do?

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – How will the landmark healthcare bill passed last night by the House of Representatives impact you, your family and your business?  The answers, detailed extensively below, may surprise you.

President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure in the next couple of days, though the Senate has yet to vote on whether to accept House changes to a version of the bill that the Senate recently passed. While some changes may yet be made, major elements include provisions to take effect immediately, as well as many others that will be phased in over several years. These include:

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 23, 2010 – President Barack Obama today signed into law historic healthcare reform legislation. Locally, the measure drew sharp criticism from Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) but praise from Hunter’s Democratic opponent, Raymond Lutz.

 
By Miriam Raftery
 
March 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – By a 219 to 212 vote, the House of Representatives passed the landmark healthcare reform bill last night. The bill could be signed by President Barack Obama as early as tomorrow. Later this week, the Senate will consider amendments made by the House to a Senate version previously passed.

All Republicans voted against the bill (including local Congressmen Duncan Hunter, Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa) despite efforts by the President to gain bipartisan support. Thirty-four Democrats also voted “no.” Local Democrats Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the measure.

March 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –California’s healthcare crisis has dramatically worsened. From 2008 to 2009, nearly 2 million people in our state lost their health insurance amid recession and layoffs, according to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. That’s a 28% jump over the prior year. Nearly one-quarter of all adult Californians lack health insurance.

In San Diego yesterday, approximately 200 people held a rally downtown calling on Congress to enact healthcare reforms to assure coverage for all Americans and halt insurance industry abuses that deny people affordable care.

By Kathy Rallings
Chair, Health Care for All-San Diego Chapter

Recently, Anthem Blue Cross made the case for the California Universal Health Care Act (SB 810) by raising its rates 39% this year while pulling in record profits. The company blames rising health care costs, yet overall health care has only increased by 6%. Insurance companies like Anthem do not contribute anything to our health care and take billions of dollars out to satisfy their stockholders.

As Congress holds its hearing about Toyota recalls, and Rep. Brian Bilbray recently toured a Toyota dealership in Carlsbad, we need to ask a simple question. Why has Congress sat silently by while the private insurance industry has rushed to gouge us with exorbitant premium increases?
 
By Tracy Emblem

 
Between 2000 and 2009, there were only 34 deaths attributable to the Toyota vehicle defect. According to a recent 2009 Harvard Medical School study, nearly 45,000 people die each year in the United States -- one every 12 minutes -- mainly because people lack health insurance and cannot get health care.

39% Rate Hike by Anthem-Blue Cross Persuaded CA Senator that Consumers need Choice of a Public Plan
 

Updated February 19, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has joined with 16 other Senators to urge that Majority Leader Harry Reid pass a public option for health insurance using reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure that allows a simple up-or-down vote with a majority of 51 Senators.

 
California OneCare Campaign Reveals Massive Campaign to Gain Support to Override a Likely Veto by Governor

January 28, 2010 – While Congress struggles to pass a healthcare reform bill that has been gutted of its public option, California’s State Senate today passed passed landmark healthcare reform legislation, SB 810, that calls for sweeping changes in the financing of health care. The measure passed by a healthy 22-14 vote. (Roll-call voting record is not yet available.)

Under the bill, authored by Senator Mark Leno (SF), all residents would be covered by a universal health care system, which would pay for all needed health services utilizing a "single payer" insurance system. Private insurance companies would be replaced by one non-profit health insurance fund. All California residents would have coverage for doctors, hospitals, medications, mental health, medical equipment, dental, eye care and more.

“It is imperative the [health care] bill pass soon. If it doesn't, we will be stuck with the status quo. For me personally, it will mean a death warrant.”

By Will Power

Nothing but the truth!

January 18, 2009 -- The Democrats have been thwarted for six months from passing health care reform. Now the death of Ted Kennedy may mean there is no reform at all. What's maddening is that the Democrats only need 51 votes, according to the Constitution.

Nothing but the truth!
 
By Will Power
December 21, 2009 -- If you are like me and get incomprehensible MD billing statements prepared in India by Urdu-speaking clerks who can't read English, get ready for the newest medical fee to come down the pike. It's called a "Facility Fee" and is not covered by insurance, but by the patient (http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-myturn21-2009dec21,0,462899...). The minute you walk through the MD's office door you get nicked, for anywhere from $75 to $250. The Facility Fee is to charge for "wear and tear" you inflict on the office furniture. Stand in the corner on a newspaper and pay anyway!

By Jim Stieringer, President
Grossmont Healthcare District

November 14, 2009 (La Mesa) -- The House of Representatives' vote on November 7th is the first step in a long process that will have a profound effect on healthcare funding throughout the nation. Although few have read the 1990 page proposed legislation, some parts lend themselves to an early analysis.

There may be a constitutional problem in compelling people to purchase health insurance. Although many states currently require drivers to insure their automobiles, no one is required to drive a car. In fact, the state of California requires every owner of a motor vehicle to maintain an acceptable form of financial responsibility.

 
November 12, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – East County and San Diego leaders offer diverse views on the landmark healthcare reform bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Some praised the bill, others criticized it, while many hope to see changes made in the Senate.
(For East County Magazine's analysis of the bill, see http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2211 )
 
Their divergent views reflect not only concerns over details, but also core differences that strikes at the heart of healthcare reform debates raging across America: should healthcare be a right, or a privilege?  Should people have a public option, or should private insurance be the only choice--for those who can afford it?  For those who can't, just how much are we willing to pay to save people's lives and health?

COSTS, DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KEY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PLANS ALSO WEIGHED
 

November 8, 2009 (Washington D.C.) –H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act approved Saturday by the House of Representatives is widely deemed the most significant social reform since the enactment of Social Security and Medicaid. The bill will next be considered by the Senate. While much media coverage has focused on a public option (i.e., giving qualifying consumers a choice between private healthcare and a government-run system) the bill in fact has many other provisions that, if enacted, will impact nearly everyone in America.

Last-minute amendments, media spin (and in some cases, outright fibs) have many confused about what’s actually in the bill. How will it affect you, what will it cost, and how does the Democratic-backed bill passed by the House compare with alternatives proposed by Republicans? East County Magazine has consulted a wide variety of sources on the left and right as well as nonpartisan fact-checking outlets, government analysts, and major media outlets to provide you with as many answers as we could find.

by Francine Busby

November 9, 2009 (San Diego) --Mr. Bilbray and his Republican colleagues in Congress just don’t get it. They need a shot of reality before they render themselves completely obsolete. It's way past time to stop the empty excuses, tired remedies and baseless accusations in regards to Healthcare reform. It's time to work together for the health and well-being of our families, our economy and our national security.

This is a very personal issue. In San Diego County, over 600,000, or 20.2% of people are uninsured and tens of thousands more are under-insured. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in Bilbray's own Congressional district, 15.8%, or over 103,000 people are currently without health insurance.

By Masada Disenhouse

November 9, 2009 (La Mesa) -- As an East County resident I was very disappointed, though not surprised, that my Congressperson, Duncan Hunter, voted against the best interests of his constituents when he voted no on the House of Representatives healthcare bill. Though the bill is not perfect, still giving too much to insurance companies and too little to citizens, it would be a step forward.

By Tracy Emblem

November 7, 2009 (San Diego)-- Congressman Brian Bilbray says the health bill in Congress is expensive, bloated and wasteful and publicly asks us: "How will America pay for the Affordable Health Care for Americans Act?" Yet, he does not acknowledge some causes for our escalating health care costs or offer any leadership solutions on how to solve the problem.

HUNTER AFFIRMS OPPOSITION TO PUBLIC OPTION; OTHERS OBJECT TO DROPPING AMENDMENT TO LET STATES PASS STRONGER HEALTHCARE REFORMS

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2009 – The Democratic-sponsored healthcare measure currently before Congress got a booster shot today with the endorsement of two major groups, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

November 5, 2009 (San Diego) – Mary Bell, 25, cannot get health insurance anymore since overcoming a kidney infection two years ago. On Monday, Bell and two others (photo, left) were arrested following a three-day vigil at Blue Cross in San Diego. Blue Cross executives declined to meet with the protesters, who sought to ask the insurance giant to stop spending money on lobbying and political ads – and fund care of patients like Bell instead.

 
November 1, 2009 (San Diego) – Conservatives rallying for the Tea Party Express, which kicked off its national tour in San Diego, received an unexpected visit from Billionaires for Wealthcare, a group formed to draw attention to high insurance company profits in the healthcare reform debate. A video of the bizarre confrontation has been posted at YouTube.

Barbara Cummings, a Spring Valley grandmother, donned formal attire to join the satirical Billionaires group. “We arrived in a stretch limousine, complete with red carpet,” said Cummings, a retiree who has struggled with healthcare costs and supports healthcare for all.

October 31, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Many Americans are not aware that The Affordable Health Care for America Act now before Congress has many provisions to help people afford healthcare costs right away. A public option (or choice between government-run healthcare and private insurance) if passed would take time to set up. This week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi released this list of the top 14 provisions that would kick in immediately:

1. BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE — Reduces the donut hole by $500 and institutes a 50% discount on brand-name drugs, effective January 1, 2010.

2. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED UNTIL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL) — Creates a temporary insurance program until the Exchange is available for individuals who have been uninsured for several months or have been denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions.

Sit-In Slated for Monday morning

October 30, 2009 (San Diego) --“Is there anything scarier than thinking you might need medical care, and getting canceled by a health insurance corporation who spent your premiums on TV ads and lobbying?” asks San Diegan Mike Copass, co-organizer of a 45-hour haunt of Blue Shield’s office at 2275 Rio Bonito Way in Mission Valley.

The actions are part of a national groundswell of civil disobedience at health insurance company offices by people seeking to end insurance abuse and win health care for all. So far, 115 people have been arrested in 18 cities demanding “real health care reform that treats health care like a human right, not a commodity,” according to a press release issued by event organizers. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 18, 2009 – The House and Senate are grappling with several versions of major healthcare reform measures that could dramatically transform our nation’s healthcare system. Four of the five measures would include a public option, which give Americans a choice between private health insurance or opting for coverage under a government-run system similar to Medicare.

Where do your Congressional and Senate representatives stand? All have now taken a firm position either for or against the public option. Here are statements directly from San Diego County’s five Congressional representatives and California’s two U.S. Senators. If you wish to contact your Congressman or Senator to voice your views, you can find their contact information in our Citizens Action Center.

September 27, 2009 (San Diego) – Want to learn more about healthcare reform options?  San Diego’s League of Women Voters presents a luncheon featuring keynote speaker Gerald Kominski, Ph.D., professor at UCLA School of Public Health and Associate Director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Dr. Jeoffrey Gordon from California Physicians Alliance will also speak, summarizing the political climate for healthcare reform in Congress.