Health Affairs: The Policy Journal of the Health Sphere

For immediate release
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
12:01 a.m. Eastern Time

Contact:
Christopher Fleming
(301) 347-3944
cfleming@projecthope.org

Health Affairs Study Pegs 2005 Health Care Spending Growth At 7.4 Percent, Much Faster Than Growth In The Economy And Workers’ Wages

Bethesda, MD — Health care spending growth stayed in a high-altitude holding pattern in 2005 as costs per privately insured American grew 7.4 percent — virtually the same rate of increase as the previous two years, according to a study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) published today as a Web Exclusive in Health Affairs.

Health spending growth continued to outpace overall economic growth in 2005, despite a robust 5.4 percent increase in the overall U.S. economy as measured by per capita gross domestic product (GDP), the study found. After peaking at 10.4 percent in 2001, health care spending growth slowed to 7.8 percent in 2003, followed by a 7.5 percent increase in 2004. Spending data for the first quarter of 2006 suggest continued stability — albeit at a relatively high rate of growth (7.7 percent). (more…)

U.S. Census Bureau News
U.S. Department of Commerce - Washington, D.C. 20233

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2006, AT 10:10 A.M. EDT

*
* Public Information Office
* 301-763-3030/457-3670 (fax)
* 301- 457-1037 (TDD)

Income Climbs, Poverty Stabilizes, Uninsured Rate Increases

Real median household income in the United States rose by 1.1 percent between 2004 and 2005, reaching $46,326, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, the nation’s official poverty rate remained statistically unchanged at 12.6 percent. The percentage of people without health insurance coverage rose from 15.6 percent to 15.9 percent (46.6 million people). (more…)

Senator Sheila Kuehl
08/28/06
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KUEHL’S HEALTHCARE BILL, SB 840, PASSES CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY

On Monday, August 28th, Senate Bill 840, authored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-23), passed out of the California State Assembly on a preliminary vote of 43-30 (final vote expected to be 44-31).

SB 840 provides a concrete plan for covering every California resident with comprehensive health insurance, saves the state of California, businesses and working families nearly $8 billion in the first year, and guarantees our right to choose our own doctor. The bill will now return to the State Senate for concurrence and is expected to reach the Governor’s desk by September 1st. (more…)

For Immediate Release: July 26, 2006

Contact: Tom Garvey
http://www.thepolicycenter.org
(516) 379-6812 or (800) 442-6177
Fax: (516) 377-1108
E-mail: tgarvey@thepolicycenter.org

Tom Garvey, The Policy Center, July 26, 2006

Merrick, New York – The people of Massachusetts are now launching a counterattack
on the recent assault on democracy committed by State Senate President Robert Travaglini (D-East Boston) and Health Care Financing Committee Co-Chairs Senator Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) and Representative Patricia Walrath (D-Stow) at the behest of corporate special interests (HMOs, insurers, pharmaceutical companies and others) led by the trade group Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM). (more…)

Health Care for Massachusetts Campaign
Email: mcarr@healthcareformass.org
Phone: 617-868-1280
Web: http://www.healthcareformass.org

Dear Advocate,

Even though the Legislature ducked a yes or no vote on the Health Care Amendment at the July 12 ConCon, this Campaign is far from over.

We need your help in getting a vote on the Amendment at the November 9th ConCon to qualify for the November 2008 ballot. (more…)

For immediate release: May 25, 2006
For more information contact: Rand Wilson (617) 697-0380

Push for comprehensive reform builds as…
Rep. Meehan Co-Sponsors “Medicare for All” Bill

Rep. Martin Meehan is the eighth member of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to co-sponsor H.R. 676, the “Medicare for All” approach to health care reform written by Rep. John Conyers. (more…)

Contact Information:

Benjamin Day - Mass-Care
Phone: (617) 723-7001
Fax: (617) 723-7002
Email: press@masscare.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2006

(BOSTON, MA) – Once again, health care advocates and experts are now saying, Massachusetts is attempting to extend health coverage to the uninsured without in any way addressing the spiraling costs of the state’s health care system. “This week’s proposals merely repeat one from 20 years ago when Governor Dukakis was celebrating passage of his universal healthcare bill,” say Steffie Woolhandler and David Himmelstein, Professors of Medicine at Harvard University. “That plan imploded within two years, and Massachusetts’ new health reform legislation looks set to repeat that disaster.” (more…)

Physicians for a National Health Program
http://www.pnhp.org/news/2006/april/massachusetts_health.php
For Immediate Release: April 5, 2006

Contacts:
Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., 617-497-1268
David Himmelstein, M.D., 617-665-1032
Nick Skala, 312-782-6006

Statement by Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H. and David U. Himmelstein, M.D.

It’s a stirring scene. The Governor, legislative leaders and leaders of Health Care For All standing in the State House Rotunda declaring victory in the fight for universal health coverage. Unfortunately, this weeks tableau merely repeats one from 20 years ago when Governor Dukakis was celebrating passage of his universal healthcare bill. That plan imploded within two years, and today about 250,000 more people are uninsured in Massachusetts than the day it was signed. Unfortunately, Massachusetts’ new health reform legislation looks set to repeat that disaster. (more…)