Prescription Drugs - Wal-Mart in Talks With Several Companies To Expand Prescription Drug Discount Program for Employees Wal-Mart on Friday announced that it is in negotiations to expand to several other companies a generic drug purchasing pilot program it currently runs with Caterpillar, the Chicago Tribune reports. Under the pilot program, Wal-Mart waives the $5 copayment for generic drugs for Caterpillar employees when they www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=3&DR_ID=57763

2009-03-30

Administration News - At Summit, President Obama Says He's Open to Compromise on His Health Care Proposal, New York Times Reports President Obama on Thursday during a White House health care summit 'indicated for the first time that he was open to compromise on details of the proposal he put forth in the 2008 campaign,' the New York Times reports (Pear/Stolberg, New York Times, 3/6). Obama at the summit reiterated his goal 'to enact co www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=3&DR_ID=57350

2009-03-06

Capitol Hill Watch - Final Vote on $789B Economic Stimulus Package Expected Today The House and Senate on Friday likely will vote on a $789B billion compromise economic stimulus package that includes a number of provisions related to health care spending, USA Today reports (Wolf, USA Today, 2/13). Among other provisions, the stimulus package includes:$87 billion in additional federal Medi www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=3&DR_ID=56969

2009-02-13

Capitol Hill Watch - Senate Republicans, Democrats Seek Changes To Health Care, Other Provisions in Economic Stimulus Package The almost $900 billion economic stimulus package the Senate will begin to debate this week 'faces a treacherous path,' as both Republicans and Democrats seek to change some provisions related to health care and other areas, the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Coile, San Francisco Chronicle, 2/2). According www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=3&DR_ID=56742

2009-02-02

Capitol Hill Watch - Sen. Kennedy Taps Senators To Lead Various Working Groups Aimed at Improving U.S. Health Care Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) on Tuesday named committee members to lead three working groups that will target specific aspects of the health care system in writing overhaul legislation, including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as head of the grou www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=3&DR_ID=55638

2008-11-19

Health Care Marketplace - Employer-Based Premiums for Family Health Coverage Rise by 5% to $12,680 in 2008; Many Workers Also Face Higher Deductibles, Survey Finds Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums for family coverage increased by an average of 5% in 2008 to $12,680, with more workers enrolled in high-deductible health plans, according to the 2008 Employer Health Benefit survey released on Wednesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Edu www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=3&DR_ID=54658

2008-09-25

Public Health & Education - Increased Evidence Finds Exercise Beneficial to HIV-Positive People, Sacramento Bee Reports An increasing amount of evidence is finding that exercise can improve the health of HIV-positive people and reduce the risk of AIDS-related illnesses by increasing muscle mass and improving heart and lung endurance, the Sacramento Bee reports. Many people living with HIV/AIDS have begun or resumed exercise r www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=1&DR_ID=52124

2008-05-14

Coverage & Access - Maryland County Plan To Provide Affordable, Coordinated Care for Uninsured Residents Howard County, Md., officials on Tuesday at a news conference unveiled the Healthy Howard program, which aims to provide affordable and coordinated health care to uninsured state residents who are not eligible for state and federal programs, the Baltimore Sun reports (Carson, Baltimore Sun, 10/17). To be eli www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=3&DR_ID=48287

2007-10-18

State Watch - New Jersey Will Need $58B for Present, Future Health Benefits for Retirees New Jersey officials are expected to announce Thursday that the state will need $58 billion in today's dollars to provide health benefits it has promised to current and future retirees -- 'nearly twice the state budget and nearly twice the amount of its outstanding debt,' the New York Times reports. In 1994, www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=3&DR_ID=46483

2007-07-25

Capitol Hill Watch - Legislation Would Provide Tax Credits to Businesses That Offer Workers 'Wellness' Programs Senate Appropriations Labor-Health-Education Subcommittee Chair Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, on Monday introduced legislation that would provide a tax credit to businesses that offer wellness programs for their employees, CQ Today reports (Teit www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=3&DR_ID=46114

2007-07-10