The symbolic vote to repeal last year’s health care bill came off as scheduled Wednesday, fulfilling what Republicans feel was a central promise made to voters in November. As predicted, Democrats got another shellacking in the final tally, 245-189, with three Democrats crossing the aisle to support repeal. And, as predicted, the vote will now […]
health care
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine to challenge health care law
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Supporters of the federal health care overhaul law are making a final plea to Maine officials to not join states that are challenging the law in court. But their request will likely to fall on deaf ears. Maine Attorney General William Schneider says he’s determined to have the state challenge portions […]
advertisement
Posted inPerspective
Teens using Web to diagnose their own ailments
RALEIGH, N.C. — Dr. Duncan Phillips has a hectic pediatric surgical practice at WakeMed hospital, and it’s only getting busier. What’s generating much business is the inevitable mash-up of young patients and the Internet. “They diagnose themselves,” Phillips said, estimating he has at least one youngster a week who pinpointed his or her own medical […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Report sets Maine’s stage for health reforms
AUGUSTA (AP) — The challenge to expand coverage under the federal health care overhaul law won’t be as daunting in Maine as it is in much of the nation, according to a new report. Maine has already been involved in innovative efforts to provide affordable health coverage for its residents, making the “leap” to broad […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Judge in Virginia strikes down federal health care law, citing mandate to purchase health insurance unconstitutional
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal judge declared the Obama administration’s health care law unconstitutional Monday, siding with Virginia’s attorney general in a dispute that both sides agree will ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson is the first federal judge to strike down the law, which has […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Report sets Maine’s stage for health reforms
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A report facing public review says the leap to cover people under the federal health care reforms won’t be as great in Maine as it is in much of the nation. Panels that have been studying the impact of the new federal say that’s because Maine is already involved in innovative […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Study: Half of women over 40 get annual mammograms
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Remember the uproar last year when a government task force said most women don’t need annual mammograms? It turns out that only half of women over 40 had been getting them that often to start with, even when they have insurance that covers screening. The information comes from a review of […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Paul LePage clarifies disputed comment on health care reform
AUGUSTA — Gov.-elect Paul LePage’s recent statement about a process for overturning health care reform prompted a clarification Monday, in response to criticism. LePage was quoted Sunday by MaineToday Media saying that he believes Maine should join a multi-state lawsuit challenging the federal health care reform law, and that he had learned that if 35 […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine may help shape health care cost-cutting
PORTLAND — Congress passed national health care reform this year, but it will be up to Maine and the other states to figure out how to improve care and reduce costs. That was the challenge presented to about 300 health care providers and experts who gathered Tuesday for a forum called “National Health Care Reform: […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
New federal law mandates health plans must spend premiums on medical care; exemption from law requested in Maine
WASHINGTON (AP) — Health insurance premiums should go for actual medical care — not insurers’ overhead and profits — the Obama administration said Monday in rules that for the first time require the companies to give consumers a rebate. The regulation unveiled by the Health and Human Services department calls for insurance companies to spend […]