Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)—October 6, 2010.  The comprehensive health care overhaul passed by Congress as the Affordable Care Act and then amended by the Reconciliation Act of 2010 includes changes in the Medicare program that are expected to reduce the federal deficit by $525 billion between now and 2019. Of this amount,[Read More…]

PEORIA–(ENEWSPF)–October 5, 2010. A panel created by Governor Pat Quinn to guide the state’s implementation of national health care reform held its second public hearing today in Peoria. Governor Quinn has charged the Illinois Health Care Reform Implementation Council with creating a rigorous framework to implement the federal Affordable Care[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)—October 5, 2010. By Lesley Russell Visiting Fellow at the Center for American Progress. The responsibility for providing mental health care is falling increasingly to primary care providers. This may reflect both the treatment preferences of many Americans and the availability and affordability of health care services. Well over[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–October 1, 2010.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that new information and tools have been added to HHS’ consumer website www.HealthCare.gov that will make the health insurance market more transparent, increase competition and help lower costs for individuals. For the first time ever,[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–September 28, 2010.   MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you, thanks so much, Dr. Wakefield. Thank you for that introduction but more importantly thank you for your hard work in fighting for health care reform for so many years.  She’s truly been a wonderful advocate and a partner to this White House.[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–September 23, 2010. Repeal Would Take Away New Rights and Benefits American families have acquired new rights and benefits in their health coverage with today’s six-month anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. They’ve gained the right to purchase coverage for a family member under the age of 26, for[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–September 23, 2010.  As several major health care changes roll out beginning today, AARP is working to answer questions from its members and all older Americans about how to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families. Many Americans who buy new insurance plans beginning today will[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–September 23, 2010.  Vice President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that the nation’s pharmaceutical manufacturers will provide 50 percent discounts on the cost of covered brand-name prescription drugs for beneficiaries in the Medicare[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)—September 23, 2010.  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that new protections to prevent health insurance companies from denying Illinois families coverage when they need it most are going into effect today, six months after the health care reform legislation’s enactment. “We will now see the tangible benefits[Read More…]

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–September 22, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today charged the Illinois Health Care Reform Implementation Council with protecting Illinois’ health consumers from unwarranted insurance premium hikes. The council, which held its first public meeting today, was created by Governor Quinn to guide the state’s implementation of national health care reform. “Making[Read More…]