Health Policy Links

-Democrats expect a vote on health care reform as early as this weekend.  The NY Times has a breakdown of which votes they need to get in order for it to pass . . . Dennis Kucinich announced today that he would switch to a "yes," making them one vote closer

-As the vote nears, the poll numbers on health care continue to improve -- mostly b/c Democrats and liberals who don't particularly like the bill are starting to realize it's either this or nothing.  The latest aggregate poll numbers are 49-44 against the bill -- the best numbers for Democrats in six months.

-But not everything is changing.  Even after all the negative publicity Anthem Blue Cross is still planning to proceed with their 39% rate hike.  The new rates are effective as of May 1st

-A NY Times health writer compares past and projected health costs under the current system to what they might have been under previous failed reforms


-Paul Krugman writes that the notions that health care reform is a government take-over of one-sixth of the economy, does nothing to control costs, and is fiscally irresponsible are all myths

-David Brooks admires the passion shown by Democrates, writing that "The 30 million who would be covered under the Democratic proposals are not big voters, while the millions who would pay for the coverage are strikingly unhappy."  But, at the same time, he thinks the passion has led to a fiscally irresponsible bill and believes Congress doesn't have the guts to follow through on the cost-cutting parts of the bill in the long run.

-Maryland has contained their health care costs grow since deciding in 1977 to allow an independent commission to set reimbursement rates for acute care

-Emulating Philadelphia, Pittsburgh's mayor is now proposing a 2 cents per ounce tax on sugary drinks in order to solve their revenue problems

-Pittsburgh has also had success getting young kids to eat their vegetables using the "Food is Elementary" curriculum in some local schools

-A bill in the NY state legislature would ban restaurants from putting any salt in foods

-The South Bronx has possibly the nation's worst hunger problem . . . and one of the most severe obesity problems as well.  Why?  Partially b/c almost all of the food available in the poverty-stricken area is cheap and unhealthy.