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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Court reinstates most of Texasa new abortion rules

AUSTIN, Texas A federal appeals court on Thursday issued a ruling reinstating most of Texas' tough new abortion restrictions in a decision that means as many as 12 clinics won't be able to perform the procedure starting as soon as Friday.

http://www.jg.net/article/20131031/NEWS03/131039859

Getting It Right on ObamacareBy David Frum

I hate to say 'I told you so,' but extremist Republicans still don't understand that their obstruction on health-care reform isn't helping.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/10/31/getting-it-right-on-obamacare.html

Federal appeals court reinstates key restriction in Texas abortion law

A federal appeals court on Thursday ruled that most of Texas' tough new abortion restrictions can take effect immediately - a decision that means as least 12 clinics won't be able to perform the procedure starting as soon as Friday.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57610344/federal-appeals-court-reinstates-key-restriction-in-texas-abortion-law/

Admirals at a glance

When the FDA approved the powerful painkiller Zohydro last week, it did so without requiring the drug to have any built-in biochemical mechanisms aimed at curbing abuse.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/hockey/admirals-at-a-glance-b99132270z1-230141891.html

Court Reinstates Most of Texas' New Abortion Restrictions

A federal appeals court on Thursday ruled that most of Texas' tough new abortion restrictions can take effect immediately - a decision that means as least 12 clinics won't be able to perform the procedure starting as soon as Friday.

http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2013/10/31/court-reinstates-most-texas-abortion-restrictions-n1734294

John Ransom: Stupid Is the New Normal

The 2,300 page healthcare law that took several days from writing to passage, and five years from passage to rollout will apparently take 50 years just to sign everyone up.

http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/johnransom/2013/10/31/stupid-is-the-new-normal-n1733564

Gov. Corbett to announce re-election bid next week

Gov. Tom Corbett will return to Pittsburgh next week to kick off a formidable task: a bid for re-election in the face of approval ratings that have energized Democrats and prompted some Republicans to question if he is the best candidate to lead their ticket.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2013/10/31/Gov-Corbett-to-announce-re-election-bid-next-week/stories/201310310269

Pay Attention to the Latest 'Doc-Fix' Proposal

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., is one of four legislators leading the charge to permanently fix Medicare's broken payment system.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/health-care/pay-attention-to-the-latest-doc-fix-proposal-20131031

Obamacare lets users register to vote, but only if they are low-income

The Obamacare website, Healthcare.gov, gives only low-income Americans the opportunity to register to vote after registering for individual health insurance plans, media mogul Glenn Beck said on his radio show today.

http://www.examiner.com/article/obamacare-lets-users-register-to-vote-but-only-if-they-are-low-income?cid=rss

Editorial: Obamacare's disastrous rollout

Passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 was supposed to be President Barack Obama's crowning moment in office, the product of a hard-fought political battle that he paraded as one of his proudest victories.

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20131031-editorial-obamacares-disastrous-rollout.ece?nclick_check=1

Senator Kevin de Leon Named in FBI Affidavit Alleging Corruption

State Sen. Kevin de LeA3n allegedly maneuvered a deal between two senate colleagues that resulted in a $25,000 payoff for a blood relative of one of them, and amended workers comp legislation that eventually helped the owner of a Long Beach hospital indulge in what the FBI is calling "large-scale health care fraud."

http://highlandpark-ca.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/senator-kevin-de-len-named-in-fbi-affidavit-alleging-corruption

Tricare Help: Can service member's adult brother be put on Tricare?

Q. My husband is an active-duty soldier. He and his brother recently lost their mother, and the brother lost the health insurance coverage he had under his mother's sponsorship.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131031/BENEFITS/310310037

Ohio supreme court expedites hearing on Medicaid expansion lawsuit

It sounds like a mythic tale of heroic salvation: A former Republican congressman with a fierce reputation as a cost-cutter comes out of retirement, runs for governor of one of the largest states in the country, and is swept into office by an... Gov. Kasich's end-run around the legislature, using the authority of an administrative agency to adjust ... (more)

http://www.examiner.com/article/ohio-supreme-court-expedites-hearing-on-medicaid-expansion-lawsuit

Court Reinstates Most Of Texas' New Abortion Rules

A federal appeals court on Thursday ruled that most of Texas' tough new abortion restrictions can take effect immediately - a decision that means as least 12 clinics won't be able to perform the procedure starting as soon as Friday.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/10/31/court-reinstates-most-of-texas-new-abortion-rules/

Court Reinstates Most of Texas' Tough New Abortion Laws

A federal appeals court on Thursday issued a ruling reinstating most of Texas' tough new abortion restrictions in a decision that means as many as 12 clinics won't be able to perform the procedure starting as soon as Friday.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/10/31/court-reinstates-most-of-texas-tough-new-abortion-laws/

UPDATE 2-Enrollment in Obamacare very small in first days-documents

Enrollment in health insurance plans on the troubled Obamacare website was very small in the first couple of days of operation, with just 248 Americans signing up, according to documents released on Thursday by a U.S. House of Representatives committee.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/01/usa-healthcare-subpoena-idUSL1N0IL1SB20131101?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologySector

Forum advises gay, lesbian spouses to apply for Social Security

Aging gays and lesbians of a generation whose social survival, at least, depended largely on "staying hidden" may need coaxing to openly claim federal spousal benefits for which they are now eligible, a North Bay LGBT advocate said Thursday.

http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20131031/ARTICLES/131039856/-1/PT07?Title=Forum-advises-gay-lesbian-spouses-to-apply-for-Social-Security

Enrollment in Obamacare very small in first days-documents

Enrollment in health insurance plans on the troubled Obamacare website was very small in the first couple of days of operation, with just 248 Americans signing up, according to documents released on Thursday by a U.S. House of Representatives committee.

http://www.trust.org/item/20131101010116-jheyc

In first month, the vast majority of Obamacare sign-ups are in Medicaid

The first month of the new health law's rollout reveals an unexpected pattern in several states: a crush of people applying for an expansion of Medicaid and a trickle of sign-ups for private insurance.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/31/in-first-month-the-vast-majority-of-obamacare-sign-ups-are-in-medicaid/

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated Management Discusses Q3 2013 Results - Earnings Call Transcript

Good morning, and welcome to the Healthcare Realty Trust Third Quarter Analyst Conference Call and Webcast.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1796162-healthcare-realty-trust-incorporated-management-discusses-q3-2013-results-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed

Obama: Health-care law modeledafter Mitt Romney's plan

With his signature health-care law under fire, President Obama flew to Boston Wednesday in an effort to remind the public that ObamaCare is modeled on the plan of his former GOP opponent and Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney.

http://lucianne.com/thread/?artnum=758869

Obama gets more tech help to fix...

The Obama administration has recruited engineers from several prominent technology companies to help fix the website problems preventing people from signing up for government-mandated health insurance.

http://www.wivb.com/news/national/obama-gets-more-tech-help-to-fix-healthcare-site_45869118

FDA Takes Two Important Actions on Drug Shortages

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking two actions to further enhance the agency's ongoing efforts to prevent and resolve drug shortages , a significant public health threat that can delay, and in some cases even deny, critical care for patients.

http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/FDA_Approval_240/FDA-Takes-Two-Important-Actions-on-Drug-Shortages.shtml

Health Policy Cancelled? What We Know and Don't Know

Every day, we're seeing reports that consumers across the country will be dropped by their health insurance companies on Jan. 1 or another date in 2014.

http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/affordablecareact0/Health-Policy-Cancelled-What-We-Know-and-Don-t-Know.shtml

Appeals Court Gives Texas OK To Enforce Abortion Law

A federal appeals court has granted a Texas request to reinstate restrictions on abortion providers after a lower court blocked the state from fully implementing the new law.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/10/31/242196362/appeals-court-gives-texas-ok-to-enforce-abortion-law?ft=1&f=1003

Court reinstates most of Texas' new abortion rules

A federal appeals court on Thursday ruled that most of Texas' tough new abortion restrictions can take effect immediately - a decision that means as least 12 clinics won't be able to perform the procedure starting as soon as Friday.

http://www.wboc.com/story/23846489/court-reinstates-most-of-texas-new-abortion-rules

More

President Barack Obama claimed "full responsibility" Wednesday for fixing his administration's much-maligned health insurance website as a new concern surfaced: a government memo pointing to security worries, laid out just days before the launch.

http://www.wboc.com/story/23825429/new-security-issues-surface-for-health-website

A Clash Of Styles As GOP Factions Fight For Alabama District

Republican candidates Bradley Byrne and Dean Young are running in a special runoff election Tuesday to fill Alabama's 1st congressional district seat.

http://www.gpb.org/news/2013/10/31/a-clash-of-styles-as-gop-factions-fight-for-alabama-district?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GPBNewsFeed+%28GPB+News%29

Need help rebutting Bill Posey's letter

I have received a reply to my letter from my House Representative, Bill Posey . I can't rebut all the lies on my own , so I hope I can appeal to knowledgeable Kossacks out there to chip in and provide ammunition for a response.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/31/1252198/-Need-help-rebutting-Bill-Posey-s-letter

Consultants Cash In on Obamacare

After the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, Kevin Walsh hit the road.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-10-31/consultants-such-as-xerox-deloitte-cash-in-on-obamacare#r=rss

Obama: GOP critics of Obamacare should follow Romney's example

Speaking to a crowd in Boston, at the historic hall where onetime Republican Gov.Mitt Romneysigned Massachusetts' 2006 health care reform into law, Obama pointed to his former rival as an example of bipartisan cooperation.

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/10/30/2758010/obama-gop-critics-of-obamacare.html#storylink=rss

Answers to health care law questions

If you or a family member has been notified that your individual policy is being canceled at year's end, you may be stunned and upset.

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/10/30/2757832/answers-to-health-care-law-questions.html#storylink=rss

Hiring tips to help avoid nanny nightmares

Movie nannies might work for a spoonful of sugar, and hugs and kisses, but in the real world nannies no matter how loving and attentive they are need to get paid a salary.

http://www.leader-call.net/14523/1799/onlinefeature/84030/hiring-tips-to-help-avoid-nanny-nightmares

Taking a look at key food issues

Kids around the country are heading for school. For parents, now is the time to think about providing nutritious meals in kids' lunch boxes and on the kitchen table keeping them energized and focused throughout the day, and above all else, healthy.

http://www.leader-call.net/14523/1799/onlinefeature/84013/taking-a-look-at-key-food-issues

Court reinstates Texas abortion limits

Phil Thiltrickett, an opponent of abortion, holds a rosary as he prays outside a Planned Parenthood Clinic on Tuesday in San Antonio, Texas.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20131031/NEWS02/131039965/Court-reinstates-Texas-abortion-limits

Will Plummeting Poll Numbers For Obama Bring Americans Relief From Obamacare?

If you are one of the unlucky 2 million Americans who received an insurance termination notice due to Obamacare , then help may be on the way.

http://www.examiner.com/article/will-plummeting-poll-numbers-for-obama-bring-americans-relief-from-obamacare?cid=rss

Obamacarea s launch looked even worse from the inside

They also could undercut Health and Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sebelius' claims at a Congressional hearing, that the administration did not have reliable enrollment data .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/31/obamacares-launch-looked-even-worse-from-the-inside/

Bipartisan plan emerges for Medicare doctor payments

Republican and Democratic lawmakers have agreed on a framework to replace the problematic Medicare payment formula for doctors with a plan that would link reimbursements to the quality of care provided.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lawmakers-offer-new-medicare-plan-for-paying-doctors-with-focus-on-quality-not-quantity/2013/10/31/3c277bc6-426f-11e3-a751-f032898f2dbc_story.html

Court reinstates most of Texas' new abortion rules

A federal appeals court on Thursday issued a ruling reinstating most of Texas' tough new abortion restrictions in a decision that means as many as 12 clinics won't be able to perform the procedure starting as soon as Friday.

http://www.news10.com/story/23846489/court-reinstates-most-of-texas-new-abortion-rules

150,000 could see health insurance plans canceled

About 150,000 Oregonians enrolled in individual health care plans will see their plans canceled by the end of the year because the plans don't provide the minimum level of coverage required under the new health care law, Oregon officials said Wednesday.

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/needlogin?type=login&redirecturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.statesmanjournal.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D2013310310025%26nclick_check%3D1

Cover Oregon: Health insurance exchange ramps up manual enrollment as website still doesn't work

Technical problems won't prevent people who need it from getting health coverage by Jan 1, officials said, thanks in part to new hires by Cover Oregon to process applications by hand.

http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2013/10/cover_oregon_health_insurance.html

Tricare Help: Can service member's adult brother be put on Tricare?

It didn't take long for the lady in gray to show up in the boys' room shortly after the Keen family... Q. My husband is an active-duty soldier.

http://www.armytimes.com/article/20131031/BENEFITS/310310037

CNSI allegations to be heard in court

The state attorney general is using FBI documents, which report CNSI owners threatening to kill a witness in another case, as part of the state's effort to postpone a lawsuit challenging the Jindal administration's firing of the company that held Louisiana's largest private contract.

http://theadvocate.com/home/7462442-125/cnsi-allegations-to-be-heard

Court reinstates most Texas' abortion...

A panel of judges at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued the ruling a day after District Judge Lee Yeakel said one provision serves no medical purpose.

http://www.kasa.com/news/national/court-reinstates-most-texas-abortion-restrictions_04261445

Florida Insurer Says It Didn't Drop Customers, Just Insurance Plans

... Services that oversees the public health programs and the online insurance exchange. "There's nothing in the healthcare law that makes insurers force people out of plans that they were enrolled in before the law," she said. "The truth is that ...

http://gantdaily.com/2013/10/31/florida-insurer-says-it-didnt-drop-customers-just-insurance-plans/

Forum at UMA focuses on Maine mental health issues

A panel of experts will discuss the state's mental health system and take questions at a forum Wednesday at the University of Maine at Augusta.

http://www.kjonline.com/news/Forum_at_MA_focuses_on_Maine_mental_health_issues_.html

Experts from Google, Oracle aiding Obamacare 'tech surge'

Workers from technology giants Google, Oracle and Red Hat will contribute to the "tech surge" helping fix the botched Obamacare health insurance website, the administration said on Thursday.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/experts-from-google-oracle-aiding-obamacare-tech-surge/article/2538304?custom_click=rss

Will state's legal marijuana taxes go to health care? Maybe not

One selling point of Washington's new legal marijuana law was that a huge chunk of pot-related tax revenue would be devoted to health coverage for low-income residents.

http://www.keprtv.com/politics/Will-Wash-states-legal-pot-taxes-go-to-health-care-230090481.html

Mother recalls horror of son's death at O'Donnell Park

When the FDA approved the powerful painkiller Zohydro last week, it did so without requiring the drug to have any built-in biochemical mechanisms aimed at curbing abuse.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/mother-recalls-horror-of-sons-death-at-odonnell-park-b99132669z1-230127881.html

Senator Kevin de Leon Named in FBI Affidavit Alleging Corruption

State Sen. Kevin de LeA3n allegedly maneuvered a deal between two senate colleagues that resulted in a $25,000 payoff for a blood relative of one of them, and amended workers comp legislation that eventually helped the owner of a Long Beach hospital indulge in what the FBI is calling "large-scale health care fraud."

http://eaglerock.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/senator-kevin-de-len-named-in-fbi-affidavit-alleging-corruption-eaglerock

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Rep. Blackburn Slams Sebelius Testimony on O'Reilly: Staggering 'Incompetence'

Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn joined Bill O'Reilly on Wednesday night to talk Obamacare, and when O'Reilly asked her if the screwy rollout was a sign of incompetence in the White House, Blackburn agreed that the "incompetence on every level is absolutely staggering."

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/blackburn-slams-sebelius-testimony-on-oreilly-staggering-incompetence/

Sebelius, Obama take responsibility for healthcare website woes

President Barack Obama claimed "full responsibility" Wednesday for fixing his administration's much-maligned health insurance website as a new concern surfaced: a government memo pointing to security worries, laid out just days before the launch.

http://amarillo.com/news/latest-news/2013-10-30/sebelius-takes-responsibility-obamacare-website-woes

Poll: Majority think health lawneeds overhaul or elimination

A majority of Americans - 52 percent - believe the health care law needs either a major overhaul or to be completely eliminated, a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds.

http://lucianne.com/thread/?artnum=758671

The Top 5 Strangest Moments From Kathleen Sebelius' 'Mortifying' Obamacare Hearing

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius appeared Wednesday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee to testify on the disastrous implementation of Obamacare.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/10/30/the-top-5-strangest-moments-from-kathleen-sebelius-mortifying-obamacare-hearing/

Obama blames 'bad apple' insurers for canceled coverage

President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that "bad apple" insurance companies, not his signature healthcare law, are to blame for hundreds of thousands of people losing their coverage in the past few weeks.

http://yesbuthowever.com/obama-blames-bad-apple-insurers-for-canceled-coverage/

New security issues surface for health website

President Barack Obama claimed "full responsibility" Wednesday for fixing his administration's much-maligned health insurance website as a new concern surfaced: a government memo pointing to security worries, laid out just days before the launch.

http://www.dailyrepublic.com/usworld/new-security-issues-surface-for-health-website/

John Kitzhaber recognized by Governing magazine for bipartisan Oregon healthcare work

Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, Gov. John Kitzhaber and Rep. Bruce Hanna, R-Roseburg, stand during a January 2011 legislative ceremony.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/10/john_kitzhaber_recognized_by_g.html

Is It 'Illegal' for Sebelius to Buy Exchange Plan?

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says "it's illegal" for her to obtain insurance on the exchanges set up by the Affordable Care Act.

http://www.factcheck.org/2013/10/is-it-illegal-for-sebelius-to-buy-exchange-plan/

Obama makes healthcare pitch to baseball-besotted Boston

But despite a stirring defense of his landmark healthcare law on Wednesday, Mr Obama accepted that his Boston audience's minds might be elsewhere as the city's baseball team closed in on a World Series victory.

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/world/story/obama-makes-healthcare-pitch-baseball-besotted-boston-20131031

White House on Sebelius hearing: GOP a did us a favor up therea

References to "The Wizard of Oz." A poster of "bros" doing a keg stand. And that shout-out to "Red Solo" cups.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/30/white-house-on-sebelius-hearing-gop-did-us-a-favor-up-there/

U.S. health official apologizes for Obamacare site

President Barack Obama's top health official apologized Wednesday for wasting consumers' time as they tried to use the crippled website that allows them to buy government-mandated health insurance under the overhaul known as Obamacare.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20131031000154

Candidates bring fierce fight to 34th District race

With echoes of the gubernatorial campaigns, the race for the 34th District House of Delegates seat has been one of the most contentious and most expensive delegate races in the state, with the candidates sparring over everything from ideology to debate appearances.

http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20131023/NEWS/131029627/1117/candidates-bring-fierce-fight-to-34th-district-race&template=fairfaxTimes

Obama claims 'full responsibility' for website

President Barack Obama claimed "full responsibility" Wednesday for fixing his administration's health insurance website as a new concern emerged: a government memo pointing to security worries, written shortly before the site's Oct. 1 launch.

http://www.whas11.com/news/national/229849701.html

The Government Shutdown, Traitors and Sedition

" The government shutdown took about $24 billion out of the U.S. economy, cutting 0.6 percent off this year's fourth- quarter growth, according to Standard & Poor's .

http://www.newberlinnow.com/blogs/communityblogs/229971081.html

State Appeals Ruling Striking Down Part of Texas Abortion Law

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has appealed yesterday's ruling striking down part of the state's new restrictions on abortion.

http://kut.org/post/state-appeals-ruling-striking-down-part-texas-abortion-law

Biden on Health Website Glitches: "We Apologize"

Vice President Joe Biden is apologizing to Americans that the website for new health care exchanges wasn't ready to go when it launched on Oct. 1. Biden becomes the highest-level administration official to apologize for the website's failures.

http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/Biden-on-Website-Glitches-We-Apologize-229966511.html

WRAPUP 5-Obama blames 'bad apple' insurers for canceled coverage

President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that "bad apple" insurance companies, not his signature healthcare law, are to blame for hundreds of thousands of people losing their coverage in the past few weeks.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/31/usa-healthcare-idUSL1N0IK1AN20131031?feedType=RSS&feedName=telcommunicationsServicesSector

Memo: Security of Consumer Info on Obamacare Site at 'High Risk'

Defending President Barack Obama's much-maligned health care law in Congress, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was confronted Wednesday with a government memo that raised security concerns about the website consumers are using to enroll.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3085665/posts

Obama blames 'bad apple' insurers for lost coverage

President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that "bad apple" insurance companies, not his signature healthcare law, are to blame for hundreds of thousands of people losing their coverage in the past few weeks.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3085653/posts

Health chief Sebelius apologizes for botched website

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius faced angry questions from lawmakers Wednesday in her first -- but likely not last -- testimony in Congress about the dysfuntional website that has hampered implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

http://www.app.com/needlogin?type=login&redirecturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.app.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D2013310300176%26nclick_check%3D1

Under Obamacare: Your Home's a Hospital; Your Doctor's a 'Team'

President Obama's former health policy adviser says the law is changing the nation's health care system for the better, as more people are treated by a health care "team," in their homes instead of in hospitals.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/under-obamacare-your-homes-hospital-your-doctors-team

No justification for voter ID

When the FDA approved the powerful painkiller Zohydro last week, it did so without requiring the drug to have any built-in biochemical mechanisms aimed at curbing abuse.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/no-justification-for-voter-id-b99131560z1-229956901.html

Bill Maher: 'I Don't Think Obama Should've Lied to People'

Bill Maher, the liberal host of HBO's "Real Time," says President Obama lied when he promised the American people, again and again, that if you like your health insurance plan and your doctor, you can keep them.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/bill-maher-i-dont-think-obama-shouldve-lied-people

Kerry Touts Religious Liberty as Obamacare Forces Catholics and Others to Act Against Their FaithCNS

In a statement to mark International Religious Freedom Day, Secretary of State John Kerry said he and President Barack Obama consider religious liberty "a priority" even as some 75 lawsuits have been filed to fight the Obamacare regulation that would force Catholics and others to pay for health insurance plans that offer contraceptives, ... (more)

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/kerry-touts-religious-liberty-obamacare-forces-catholics-and-others-act

EDITORIAL: Quit pumping livestock full of drugs

Congress should restrict the use of antibiotics in poultry, cattle and other food animals, to curb the spread of drug-resistant bacteria.

http://www.pe.com/opinion/editorials-headlines/20131030-editorial-quit-pumping-livestock-full-of-drugs.ece

Americans Are Losing Their Insurance Under Obamacare Due To New...

... Medicare and Medicaid Services, uses the term 'upgrade' rather than 'termination.' "There's nothing in the healthcare law that makes ensurers force people out of plans that they were enrolled in before the law," she told the Miami Herald . The truth ...

http://www.medicaldaily.com/americans-are-losing-their-insurance-under-obamacare-due-new-health-care-standards-despite-obamas

Obama Allays Fears In Boston, Highlighting Progress Of Health Care...

Today was a busy day of damage control for the new health law. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, apologized to a congressional hearing about HealthCare.gov's "frustrating" yet "fixable" glitches.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/obama-allays-fears-boston-highlighting-progress-health-care-reform-state-set-precedent-261501

Obama: Health care plan will work over time

President Obama promoted his embattled health care law Wednesday by arguing that a similar plan in Massachusetts surmounted its early problems.

http://www.htrnews.com/usatoday/article/3314927

Sebelius apologizes for health law 'debacle'

President Barack Obama's top health care official told Congress on Wednesday that she's responsible for the "debacle" of cascading technical problems that overwhelmed a government website intended to make shopping for health insurance clear and simple.

http://www.krem.com/news/229966991.html

Senate resumes fight over Obama nominees

Senate Republicans are poised to filibuster President Obama's nominee for director of the Federal Housing Finance Authority, Rep. Mel Watt .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-resumes-fight-over-obama-nominees/2013/10/30/19183448-4177-11e3-a624-41d661b0bb78_story.html

Analysis: Kathleen Sebelius deals with a difficult day at the House

Obamacare is one issue that unites Republicans and any opportunity to disparage the law was not wasted Wednesday as the woman in charge of implementing it, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, appeared before the House Energy and Commerce Committee to explain what is going on with the program's problem-plagued website.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/politics/sebelius-performance/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29

Apologies then excuses

Calling the launch of Obamacare a debacle, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday told Congress she is responsible and should be held accountable for the new healthcare law's laundry list of problems.

http://www.worldmag.com/2013/10/apologies_then_excuses

Could Obama's Health Law Vow Mean 2014 Pain For Democrats?

Assuming HealthCare.gov's technical problems are largely fixed by November's end, as Obama administration officials have reassured, Democrats will still face an even headier challenge: They must square with reality President Obama's oft-made promise that the new health care law would allow people to keep existing insurance plans they like.

http://www.gpb.org/news/2013/10/30/could-obamas-health-law-vow-mean-2014-pain-for-democrats?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GPBNewsFeed+%28GPB+News%29

Sen. Greg Reed announces re-election bid in Alabama Senate District 5

Reed posted a video on YouTube announcing his re-election plans. Reed, 48, was elected to the Senate in 2010.

http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/10/sen_greg_reed_announces_re-ele.html

Shameless hypocrisy

When the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, known also as Obamacare, the Court left it to the individual states to expand Medicaid for those citizens who make less than the federal poverty level and are therefore ineligible for Obamacare.

http://www.bitterrootstar.com/2013/10/30/shameless-hypocrisy/

Conservative Groups Pour Millions Of Dollars Into Anti-Obamacare Ads

Buoyed by the troubled rollout of President Barack Obama's healthcare law, conservative groups are pouring millions of dollars into advertising campaigns that portray Obamacare as a disaster and target several Democratic senators who have supported the law.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/conservatives-anti-obamacare-ads_n_4179538.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HP%2FBusiness+%28Business+on+The+Huffington+Post%29

Concerns raised about security of health website

Defending President Barack Obama's much-maligned health care overhaul in Congress, his top health official was confronted Wednesday with a government memo raising new security concerns about the trouble-prone website that consumers are using to enroll.

http://www.kpic.com/news/national/Sebelius-apologizes-for-health-law-rollout-fiasco-229862911.html

Your Views

When the FDA approved the powerful painkiller Zohydro last week, it did so without requiring the drug to have any built-in biochemical mechanisms aimed at curbing abuse.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/your-views-b99130216z1-229957511.html

New security issues surface for health website

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., prior to testifying before the committee's hearing on the difficulties plaguing the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2013/10/30/new-security-issues-surface-for-health-website/abqafkk/

Ohio GOP governor says 'there seems to be a war on the poor'

John Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio, has taken aim at some of his fellow GOPers for their attempts to chip away at the social safety net, according to Trip Gabriel at the New York Times.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865589433/Ohio-GOP-governor-says-there-seems-to-be-a-war-on-the-poor.html

Obama pulls Romney into health law launch by citing Mass. law's slow start

President Barack Obama speaks at Boston's historic Faneuil Hall about the federal health care law, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765640840/Obama-to-cite-Mass-health-care-laws-slow-start.html

Could Obama's Health Law Vow Mean 2014 Pain For Democrats?

Assuming HealthCare.gov's technical problems are largely fixed by November's end, as Obama administration officials have reassured, Democrats will still face an even headier challenge: They must square with reality President Obama's oft-made promise that the new health care law would allow people to keep existing insurance plans they like.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/10/30/241926991/could-obamas-health-law-vow-mean-2014-pain-for-democrats?ft=1&f=129828651

Kurt Schrader challenger; West Linn house fire: Clackamas County news

Jeff Mapes reports that Ben Pollock , a 28-year-old former congressional aide who works in his family-owned automotive business will seek the Republican nomination for the seat held by Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore.

http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2013/10/kurt_schrader_challenger.html

Another Obamacare Deadline Blunder Is Worrying Democrats

Senate Democrats facing reelection next year aren't just fretting about a balky website and President Barack Obama's misleading campaign statements on health care.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/obamacare-deadline-democrats_n_4179505.html

HealthCare.gov: Data Breach Risk?

Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are concerned that a lack of testing posed a potentially "high" security risk for the HealthCare.gov web site serving 36 states.

http://www.newsfactor.com/news/HealthCare-gov--Data-Breach-Risk-/story.xhtml?story_id=132004JXAM9O

Insurance site security issues revealed

President Barack Obama's embattled top health official declared herself accountable Wednesday for failures of the much-maligned health insurance website as a newly surfaced government memo pointed to security concerns that were laid out just days before its launch.

http://theadvocate.com/home/7453645-125/insurance-site-security-issues-revealed

President Obama goes to Boston but not to watch the World Series

With many baseball fans in Boston on today to watch the Word Series game 6, President Obama gave authorities a security nightmare by showing up to put to bed the enormous misconceptions surrounding Obamacare .

http://www.examiner.com/article/president-obama-goes-to-boston-but-not-to-watch-the-world-series?cid=rss

Obamacare in full damage control mode

W hen President Barack Obama watched his Obamacare website crash shortly after launching Oct. 1, it gave GOP critics a field day, making their case to repeal the unpopular health care law.

http://www.examiner.com/article/obama-full-damage-control-mode?cid=rss

Obama: `No excuse' for health care blunders

President Obama said he's "not happy" with the problems that have plagued the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act's online marketplace, adding "there's no excuse for it."

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/us_politics/2013/10/obama_no_excuse_for_health_care_blunders?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bostonherald%2Fnews+%28News+%26+Opinion+-+BostonHerald.com%29

Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Boston, MA, 10/30/2013

MR. EARNEST: Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome aboard Air Force One as we make our way to the site of Game Six of the World Series, and the great city of Boston, Massachusetts.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/10/30/press-gaggle-principal-deputy-press-secretary-josh-earnest-en-route-bost

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Swift leads American Country Awards nominations

24, 2013, file photo shows singer Taylor Swift at the premiere of "Romeo and Juliet" in Los Angeles.

http://www.abc3340.com/story/23822485/swift-leads-american-country-awards-nominations

More

There is plenty of reaction to Monday's ruling by a federal judge striking down key parts of Texas' new abortion law.

http://www.kcentv.com/story/23823439/judge-blocks-parts-of-texas-abortion-law

Your Views

When the FDA approved the powerful painkiller Zohydro last week, it did so without requiring the drug to have any built-in biochemical mechanisms aimed at curbing abuse.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/your-views-b99130169z1-229779581.html

Red Bull sued for $85 million in wrongful death claim

ACCORDING TO THIS MAN'S FAMILY, HE WAS PLAYING A GAME OF BASKETBALL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, DRANK A CAN OF RED BULL, THEN HAD A HEART ATTACK.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2777813203001/red-bull-sued-for-85-million-in-wrongful-death-claim/?playlist_id=2694949843001

Video: CMS chief spends four minutes avoiding question of how many people have enrolled in ObamaCare

Excruciating fun from this morning's House hearing with CMS director Marilyn Tavenner, who apologized for the Healthcare.gov apocalypse and then claimed that "we have a system that's working," just not quite at the speed she'd hoped.

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/10/29/video-cms-chief-spends-four-minutes-avoiding-question-of-how-many-people-have-enrolled-in-obamacare/

Correction: Michael Jackson-Doctor story

More than 1,000 people marched Tuesday to protest the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy by a Northern California sheriff's deputy in an encounter that sparked community outrage and an FBI investigation.

http://www.abc3340.com/story/23803207/correction-michael-jackson-doctor-story

Insurance Cancellations Elbow Out Website Woes At Health Hearing

When the head of the agency responsible for the troubled Healthcare.gov went before Congress for the first time since its foibles became apparent Oct. 1, she probably didn't expect that many questions would be on something else altogether.

http://nhpr.org/post/insurance-cancellations-elbow-out-website-woes-health-hearing

Healthcare.gov official apologizes; website problems 'took us by surprise'

In testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee, Marilyn Tavenner, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the inability of the Healthcare.gov website to establish individual user accounts and handle the initial volume of users shortly after open enrollment began on Oct. 1 "was not anticipated" and "did not show ... (more)

http://www.sunherald.com/2013/10/29/5069997/healthcaregov-official-apologizes.html#storylink=rss

After 'snafu,' Jackson reports to federal prison

More than 1,000 people marched Tuesday to protest the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy by a Northern California sheriff's deputy in an encounter that sparked community outrage and an FBI investigation.

http://www.klkntv.com/story/23819832/after-snafu-jackson-reports-to-federal-prison

Republicans Get Smart on Obamacare

When House Republicans direct their opposition to Obamacare toward aggressive oversight rather than apocalyptic budget shenanigans, they can do themselves and the country a lot of good.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-29/republicans-get-smart-on-obamacare.html

Keep Your Coverage Under Obamacare: Fact or Fantasy?

... can keep your plan," a line Obama used continuously to sell the bill and kept using this year to promote his healthcare law. "This is not the issuers wanting to stop to offer policy," Rep Aaron Schock, R-Ill., said at the House Ways and Means ...

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/10/keep-your-coverage-under-obamacare-fact-or-fantasy/

Administration official apologizes for Web site problems

Video: Medicare Administrator Marilyn Tavenner did not give House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp numbers on enrollment in the Affordable Care Act, despite his persistant questioning.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/administration-official-marilyn-tavenner-apologizes-for-healthcaregov-problems/2013/10/29/4d2a07ea-40c6-11e3-9c8b-e8deeb3c755b_story.html

Insurance policy cancellations a new blow for Obama

Move over, website woes. Lawmakers confronted the Obama administration Tuesday with a difficult new health-care problem -- a wave of cancellation notices hitting individuals and small businesses who buy their own insurance.

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201310290178

Obamacare - Day 29

Marilyn Tavenner, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, testified today before the House Ways and Means Committee.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3085183/posts

Abortion restrictions in Oklahoma ready for Supreme Court review

Oklahoma's highest court said Tuesday that a major provision of that state's new abortion law is unconstitutional because it "effectively bans all medication abortions," setting up the issue for a U.S. Supreme Court review.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/abortion-restrictions-in-oklahoma-ready-for-supreme-court-review/2013/10/29/7158563a-40da-11e3-a751-f032898f2dbc_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage

Cover Oregon woes could mean delays for Oregonians

A month after Oregon's problem-plagued online health insurance marketplace has failed to enroll a single person, concerns are mounting that some of the most vulnerable Oregonians may face a break in coverage if they don't enroll within the next month and a half.

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Cover-Oregon-woes-could-mean-delays-for-Oregonians-229769571.html

FDA recommends tighter checks on painkiller

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Hydrocodone, a powerful and widely abused drug found in prescription painkillers, will likely become more difficult to get after the Food and Drug Administration recommended tightening regulations on the drug.

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201310240144

Embattled Nevada psychiatric hospital in danger of losing Medicare funds

A federal agency is moving to terminate Medicare funding for Nevada's embattled state psychiatric hospital, which has been under fire for busing hundreds of patients to states across the nation in the past five years.

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/10/5638886/embattled-nevada-psychiatric-hospital.html#mi_rss=Nevada%20Patient%20Busing

Continue reading a '

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is asking questions about the financial arrangements needed to make privatization of LSU hospitals work.

http://theadvocate.com/home/7435052-125/feds-looking-at-privatization-funding

Obama expected to link Mass., federal health laws

Simply confirm your registered email address below and click "Reset Password." We will immediately email you a link back to the site where you can enter a new password for this account.

http://www.710knus.com/news/article.aspx?id=6009368

Republicans Pounce as Focus Turns to Insurance Cancellations

Several Republican House members brought up the issue during an oversight hearing featuring Marilyn Tavenner , administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is overseeing the rollout of new health exchanges and the troubled HealthCare.gov website.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/10/29/republicans-pounce-as-focus-turns-to-insurance-cancellations/?mod=WSJBlog

Official tells Congress Obamacare 'is working,' Republicans disagree

A top Obama administration official apologized for website troubles that have marred the rollout of the president's health-care reforms, but also insisted that the website for enrolling in Obamacare is "a system that's working."

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2013/1029/Official-tells-Congress-Obamacare-is-working-Republicans-disagree

Busy ACA website

The Obama administration was given stark warnings just one month before launch that the federal health care site was not ready to go live, according to a confidential report obtained by CNN.

http://www.click2houston.com/lifestyle/health/health-care-reform/administration-warned-about-health-care-website/-/21912316/22699748/-/a92rvjz/-/index.html

Oklahoma abortion ruling sets stage for US Supreme Court to step in

Phil Thiltrickett, an opponent of an abortion, holds a rosary as he prays outside a Planned Parenthood Clinic, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in San Antonio, Texas.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2013/1029/Oklahoma-abortion-ruling-sets-stage-for-US-Supreme-Court-to-step-in

Once Again, Fox Misleads To Manufacture Obamacare Victims

In yet another attempt to craft and promote victims of the Affordable Care Act , Fox News piggybacked on NBC's misleading coverage of two individuals whose current insurance plans are being cancelled.

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/10/29/once-again-fox-misleads-to-manufacture-obamacar/196658

Health policy cancellations: New blow for admin

Marilyn Tavenner, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, pauses while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, before the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/medical/articleGallery/Health-policy-cancellations-New-blow-for-admin-4934393.php

GOP, Obama joust over comments on Affordable Care ActGOP, Obama joust ...

Republicans and the White House are feuding over whether President Obama's repeated vows in recent years that insured Americans would be able to keep their current coverage if they wanted to under While Obama repeatedly trumpeted the ability of Americans to keep their insurance if they already had it, less emphasized was the reality that some ... (more)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/29/gop-obama-misled-health-care/3308139/

After 'snafu,' Jackson reports to federal prison

The senior Obama administration official closest to the implementation of the health care law's dysfunctional website faces tough questions Tuesday from Congress at the start of a pivotal week.

http://www.kswo.com/story/23819832/after-snafu-jackson-reports-to-federal-prison

New York Times Reports: Vast F.D.A. Effort Tracked E-Mails of Its Scientists

"WASHINGTON - A wide-ranging surveillance operation by the Food and Drug Administration against a group of its own scientists used an enemies list of sorts as it secretly captured thousands of e-mails that the disgruntled scientists sent privately to members of Congress, lawyers, labor officials, journalists and even President Obama, previously ... (more)

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1054493?ref=feeds%2Flatest

On defensive over health law, Obama turns to Romneycare

President Obama will evoke the name of 2012 presidential rival Mitt Romney on Wednesday, traveling to Boston to tout the Massachusetts health law as a model of what Americans should eventually expect under Obamacare.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/on-defensive-over-health-law-obama-turns-to-romneycare/article/2538152?custom_click=rss

Caretakers get community service after elderly man drowns

A husband and wife were sentenced today to community service on two counts of neglect of an older person after an elderly man drowned at an illegally operated group home, authorities said.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/oct/29/caretakers-gets-community-service-after-elderly-ma/

ObamaCare Apologetics

In " Mere Christianity ," C.S. Lewis answered non-Christians who espoused the "foolish" view that Jesus was "a great moral teacher" but not the Son of God.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303471004579165770011291240

Warning Given Prior To Launch

The Obama administration was given stark warnings just one month before launch that the federal healthcare site was not ready to go live, according to a confidential report obtained by CNN.

http://whotv.com/2013/10/29/website-failure-warning-given-prior-to-launch/

Health policy cancellations: New blow for admin.

House Ways and Means Committee member Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., right, stands up and shouts across the room at Republican lawmakers during a heated debate about problems with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/oct/29/health-policy-cancellations-new-blow-admin/?partner=RSS

After 'snafu,' Jackson reports to federal prison

Former Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has entered a North Carolina federal prison at least several days early to begin serving a 2 1/2-year prison term for misusing campaign funds, a prison official said... Former Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. entered a North Carolina prison Tuesday to begin serving a 2 1/2-year term for illegally ... (more)

http://www.kmph.com/story/23819832/after-snafu-jackson-reports-to-federal-prison

Health reforms could help Calif. prison spending

The money would come from Medicaid reimbursements for inmates who are treated in outside hospitals.

http://www.sunherald.com/2013/10/29/5069939/health-reforms-could-help-calif.html#storylink=rss

Sides debate court timing in Ohio Medicaid dispute

COLUMBUS: Attorneys for the state say there's no need for the Ohio Supreme Court to rush its consideration of a lawsuit over Medicaid expansion.

http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/sides-debate-court-timing-in-ohio-medicaid-dispute-1.440859

After 'snafu,' Jackson reports to federal prison

Former Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has entered a North Carolina federal prison at least several days early to begin serving a 2 1/2-year prison term for misusing campaign funds, a prison official said... Former Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. entered a North Carolina prison Tuesday to begin serving a 2 1/2-year term for illegally ... (more)

http://www.abc-7.com/story/23819832/after-snafu-jackson-reports-to-federal-prison

How to make a burger

Sounds silly, doesn't it? Doesn't everyone know how to make a burger? Well, not really; what we actually see on America's dinner tables is frequently a very poor imitation of the restaurant burger, frequently featuring burned meat, cold bread and an overwhelming flavor of salt.

http://www.examiner.com/article/how-to-make-a-burger?cid=rss

Editorial: Coverage under health-care law may change - for the better

PRESIDENT OBAMA famously claimed that Americans who liked their insurance plans would be able to keep them under health-care reform .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/coverage-under-health-care-law-may-change--for-the-better/2013/10/29/2acc9b12-4027-11e3-a624-41d661b0bb78_story.html?wprss=rss_editorials

Wisconsin Supreme Court sets procedure for contempt case appeal

When the FDA approved the powerful painkiller Zohydro last week, it did so without requiring the drug to have any built-in biochemical mechanisms aimed at curbing abuse.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/wisconsin-supreme-court-sets-procedure-for-contempt-case-appeal-b99131107z1-229777321.html

HHS quietly cancels contract with group to promote ObamaCare to recently released convicts

The Dept. of Health and Human Services has quietly canceled a contract to a Chicago-based advocacy group that planned to promote ObamaCare benefits to recently paroled prisoners, after GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions wrote a letter to the agency in July questioning how the contract was funded.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/10/29/hhs-quietly-cancels-contract-with-group-to-promote-obamacare-to-recently/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fpolitics+%28Internal+-+Politics+-+Text%29

Healthcare.gov official apologizes; website problems a took us by surprisea

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Marilyn Tavenner testifies before the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington, D.C. Tavenner is the first Obama administrator to testify before Congress since the troubled launch of the federal exchange website.

http://www.kansas.com/2013/10/29/3085900/healthcaregov-official-apologizes.html

Hot Blast: The insane policies pre-Obamacare

Once Obamacare is implemented, America's health insurance system will be a thicket of subsidies and transfers that benefit some people and harm others.

http://www.annistonstar.com/view/full_story/23941761/article-HOT-BLAST--The-insane-policies-pre-Obamacare?instance=home_opinion

Medicare chief apologizes for health care website woes

Stressing that improvements are happening daily, the senior Obama official closest to the administration's malfunctioning health care website apologized Tuesday for problems that have kept Americans from successfully signing up for coverage.

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/a/167391/medicare-chief-apologizes-for-health-care-website-woes/

Health Reforms Could Help Calif. Prison Spending

California could gain tens of millions of dollars annually in federal reimbursements for prison health care under the nation's new health law, state and federal officials said Tuesday.

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/10/29/health-reforms-could-help-calif-prison-spending/

Oklahoma Court: Unconstitutional Law Effectively Bans All Drug-Induced Abortions

The beautiful dome was added in recent years. When the state erected the building it lacked the funding to build the planned dome, and therefore it went without for decades.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/29/oklahoma-abortion-law_n_4175618.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HP%2FPolitics+%28Politics+on+The+Huffington+Post%29

How the ACA will affect people with HIV and AIDS

Anya Chapman manages the prescription drug inventory at Washington D.C.a?'s Whitman-Walker Clinic, which treats patients with HIV.

http://www.jconline.com/usatoday/article/3285897

Romneycare had super slow enrollment. The White House says Obamacare will be similar.

President Obama will travel Wednesday to Boston, delivering remarks promoting the Affordable Care Act at Faneuil Hall, the same location where then-Gov. Mitt Romney signed Massachusetts' 2006 universal coverage legislation.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/29/romneycare-had-super-slow-enrollment-the-white-house-says-obamacare-will-be-similar/

Oklahoma high court says drug-induced abortion law unconstitutional

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a state law meant to restrict the use of abortion-inducing drugs instead bans them altogether, rendering the law unconstitutional and paving the way for the measure to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/29/usa-abortion-oklahoma-idUSL1N0IJ27Y20131029?feedType=RSS&feedName=rbssHealthcareNews

Monday, October 28, 2013

White House OKs limited waiver on health penalty

This screenshot made Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 shows the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' main landing web page for HealthCare.gov.

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/politics/article/White-House-OKs-limited-waiver-on-health-penalty-4933609.php

Judge: couple owes restitution in Medicaid fraud

A federal judge has ordered a Lyman couple to pay restitution following their guilty pleas to defrauding the state Medicaid system.

http://www.kgwn.tv/story/23810999/judge-couple-owes-restitution-in-medicaid-fraud

Budget conference could cast wide net

The prospects for the House and Senate to reach a new budget deal appear to be increasing in the days leading up to Wednesday's first meeting of the House-Senate budget conference committee created by this month's debt-ceiling deal.

http://thehill.com/opinion/editorials/331057-budget-conference-could-cast-wide-net

FDA wants stricter rules for pet food manufacturers

"The days of buying in bulk are done. Now you read labels and the first ingredient needs to be protein.

http://www.kesq.com/news/fda-wants-stricter-rules-for-pet-food-manufacturers/-/233092/22681286/-/6x28kcz/-/index.html

Obamacare Enrollment Period Extended 6 Weeks

Following a problem-plagued launch of the HealthCare.gov website, the White House on Monday officially announced a six-week extension to sign up for coverage under the law's individual mandate.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/10/28/241483856/obamacare-enrollment-period-extended-6-weeks?ft=1&f=1001

Obama to Talk Romneycare Wednesday

President Obama will head to Boston on Wednesday for a speech about "the importance of providing all Americans with quality, affordable health insurance and the experience in Massachusetts, which passed its bipartisan health care law in 2006," the White House said Monday.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/health-care/obama-to-talk-romneycare-wednesday-20131028

CMS Announces Big Savings for Medicare Beneficiaries

In some bright news for Obamacare, the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services announced Monday that the health care law is resulting in significant out-of-pocket savings for Medicare beneficiaries.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/health-care/cms-announces-big-savings-for-medicare-beneficiaries-20131028

White House extends deadline for penalty-free sign-ups until March 31 amid web problems

This screenshot made Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 shows the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' main landing web page for HealthCare.gov.

http://www.brandonsun.com/business/breaking-news/white-house-extends-deadline-for-penalty-free-sign-ups-until-march-31-amid-web-problems-229616351.html

How to create a tech-savvy government

Two of Gov. Scott Walker's opponents are disputing accounts Walker gives of talks he had with them in his forthcoming book.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/how-to-create-a-tech-savvy-government-b99129865z1-229587821.html

Covered California's executive director faces fiery test

His grandfather helped start the Palo Alto Medical Clinic in 1930, when the idea of a physicians' group was so revolutionary that critics called it anti-competitive, even "communist."

http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_24397819/covered-californias-executive-director-faces-fiery-test?source=rss

White House OKs limited waiver on health penalty

The move had been expected since White House spokesman Jay Carney promised quick action last week to resolve a "disconnect" in the implementation of the law.

http://www.adn.com/2013/10/28/3146998/white-house-grants-extension-on.html

Milwaukee County judge raises doubts about Waukesha man's marriage

Two of Gov. Scott Walker's opponents are disputing accounts Walker gives of talks he had with them in his forthcoming book.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/milwaukee-county-judge-raises-doubts-about-waukesha-mans-marriage-b99130088z1-229623821.html

Churches help spreadword on health care law

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - In a national day of action, the group Enroll America held "Health Care from the Pulpit."

http://lucianne.com/thread/?artnum=758297

HHS touts low prices for young peopleunder new ObamaCare exchanges

... Human Services (HHS) released a report showing that many young people have access to cheap coverage under the healthcare law because of low-cost plans, federal discounts to make policies more affordable and the Medicaid program. Overall, according ...

http://lucianne.com/thread/?artnum=758294

Prospects for immigration bill in Congress murky on eve of lobbying campaign

Prospects for comprehensive immigration legislation this year grew murkier on the eve of an all-out push by a coalition of business, religious and law enforcement to convince the House to overhaul the decades-old system.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/prospects-for-immigration-bill-in-congress-murky-on-eve-of-lobbying-campaign/2013/10/28/e9473790-402d-11e3-b028-de922d7a3f47_story.html

Medicare Part B premiums won't go up in 2014

The premiums for Medicare Part B will remain flat in 2014 and seniors have saved $8.3 billion on Part D prescriptions since the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/usatoday/article/3286733

Reach of eavesdropping program was surprise to Obama

Video: The White House claims President Obama didn't know about NSA spying on world leaders.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-didnt-know-about-surveillance-of-us-allied-world-leaders-until-summer-officials-say/2013/10/28/0cbacefa-4009-11e3-a751-f032898f2dbc_story.html

Medicare chief to testify about troubled HealthCare.gov

Marilyn Tavenner is head of a $1 trillion-a-year agency that provides Medicare and Medicaid coverage to 90 million Americans - and is overseeing the implementation of President Obama's health-care law.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/medicare-chief-marilyn-tavenner-to-testify-before-congress-about-healthcaregov/2013/10/28/8e203cdc-400e-11e3-a624-41d661b0bb78_story.html

NC gov uninterested in Medicaid expansion session

Gov. Pat McCrory said Monday that calling legislators back to Raleigh for a special session to reconsider Medicaid expansion in North Carolina was "out of the question," refusing requests by Democrats and allied health advocacy groups to take a second look.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9304389&rss=rss-wtvd-article-9304389

Budget battles will resume soon at a Congress near you

From left, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., Senate Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., wind up outlining their approach to tackling the nation’s debt problems in the Senate Reception Room at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013.

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/10/28/4582781/budget-battles-will-resume-soon.html#storylink=rss

White House OKs limited waiver on health penalty

The move had been expected since White House spokesman Jay Carney promised quick action last week to resolve a "disconnect" in the implementation of the law.

http://www.kentucky.com/2013/10/28/2900023/white-house-grants-extension-on.html#storylink=rss

Joe Biden Dines With Freshman House Democrats

The White House says Vice President Joe Biden is heading to the Capitol to have dinner with first-term House Democrats.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/28/joe-biden-house-democrats_n_4171905.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HP%2FBusiness+%28Business+on+The+Huffington+Post%29

Sen. Rubio changes immigration approach, supports series of revisions

Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, one of the architects of the Senate's comprehensive immigration plan, is backing off his earlier support and reverting to his original preference for a piecemeal approach to solving the issue.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/28/3717125/sen-rubio-changes-immigration.html

U.S. judge strikes down key Texas abortion limits

Karen McCrocklin of Dallas carries a Texas flag with pink running shoes similar to those worn by state Sen. Wendy Davis when she filibustered the legislation.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/28/texas-abortion-limits-unconstitutional/3288873/

Fed judge: Texas abortion limits unconstitutional

A federal judge determined Monday that new Texas abortion restrictions place an unconstitutional burden on women seeking to end a pregnancy, a ruling that keeps open dozens of abortion clinics across the state while officials appeal.

http://www.dailyrepublic.com/usworld/fed-judge-texas-abortion-limits-unconstitutional/

Hawaii lawmakers question benefits of gay marriage

Hawaii's battle over gay marriage brought state lawmakers back to work Monday after the governor called a special session that could make the islands a wedding destination for more couples.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/10/28/5285274/hawaii-lawmakers-question-benefits.html

WND's Gina Loudon Don't Need No Stinkin' Facts to Fearmonger About Obamacare

It's not often that one can pull off the feat of being both dishonest and crazy over the course of two articles, but this is WorldNetDaily we're talking about here, and Gina Loudon is clearly up to the challenge.

http://conwebwatch.tripod.com/blog/index.blog?entry_id=2325308

Earnings Preview: Aetna reports on 3Q Tuesday

Aetna Inc. beat analyst expectations and raised its 2013 forecast after this year's first two quarters, and investors will find out Tuesday morning whether the nation's third-largest health insurer can keep the streak going.

http://www.kansas.com/2013/10/28/3083334/earnings-preview-aetna-reports.html

President calls ObamaCare coverage a 'good investment for young people'

... Health and Human Services (HHS) report found that many young people have access to cheap coverage under the healthcare law because of low-cost plans, federal discounts to make policies more affordable and the Medicaid program. Overall, according to ...

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/331029-hhs-touts-low-prices-for-young-people-under-obamacare

FDA's shorter approval time for new drugs raises questions

New drugs that receive expedited review by the Food and Drug Administration are being tested on fewer patients, leaving many safety questions unanswered even after they are approved, a study released on Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association found.

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/fdas-shorter-approval-time-new-drugs-raises-questions-8C11484613

An opening for reform? Obama, Congress must try

Two of Gov. Scott Walker's opponents are disputing accounts Walker gives of talks he had with them in his forthcoming book.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/an-opening-for-reform-obama-congress-must-try-b99128223z1-229623221.html

Cuccinelli, Sen. Paul Slam Obamacare, Push 'Less Government' in Fairfax

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli appeared with Senator Rand Paul , Rep. Frank Wolfe and others in Fairfax Tuesday to promote their positions against Obamacare and for a less intrusive government.

http://burke.patch.com/groups/elections/p/cuccinelli-sen-paul-slam-obamacare-push-less-government-in-fairfax-burke

More

With website woes ongoing, the Obama administration Monday granted a six-week extension until March 31 for Americans to sign up for coverage next year and avoid new tax penalties under the president's health care overhaul law.

http://www.wbtv.com/story/23811516/white-house-oks-limited-waiver-on-health-penalty

Activists want NC Medicaid expansion reconsidered

Gov. Pat McCrory says he's not interested in bringing North Carolina legislators back to Raleigh to consider expanding Medicaid under the federal health care overhaul law.

http://www.wbtv.com/story/23807873/activists-want-nc-medicaid-expansion-reconsidered

Gov. Robert Bentley spars with some ASU board members over forensic audit report y B

Gov. Robert Bentley led a contentious meeting of the Alabama State University Board of Trustees this afternoon, with the governor and some of the trustees holding firm in their opposing views on a forensic audit report.

http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/10/gov_robert_bentley_spars_with.html

Judge blocks parts of Texas abortion law

A federal judge struck down key parts of a new Texas abortion law, considered among the most restrictive in the country, on Monday, one day before they were scheduled to take effect.

http://www.ksbw.com/news/national-news/Judge-blocks-parts-of-Texas-abortion-law/-/5739770/22675988/-/ejqfkbz/-/index.html?absolute=true

HHS issues formal insurance deadline clarification

People who have purchased insurance by March 31, even if they are not covered by their plans until May 1, don't need not file a waiver to avoid paying a fine for violating the individual mandate law under the Affordable Care Act, according to new guidance released Monday by the Department of Health and Human Services.

http://www.indystar.com/usatoday/article/3290553

White House opposes House GOP financial regulation bills, says they would weaken rules

The White House says it opposes legislation in the Republican-controlled House that would exempt certain financial transactions used by banks from falling under the provisions of a 3-year-old law passed in response to the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/white-house-opposes-house-gop-financial-regulation-bills-says-they-would-weaken-rules/2013/10/28/8a189f64-4025-11e3-b028-de922d7a3f47_story.html

White House OKs limited waiver on health penalty

With website woes ongoing, the Obama administration Monday granted a six-week extension until March 31 for Americans to sign up for coverage next year and avoid new tax penalties under the president's health care overhaul law.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/28/3717265/white-house-grants-extension-on.html

First Hospital in the World to Offer Patients New Device for Severely Calcified Arteries

The new device being used in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at The Mount Sinai Hospital is called the Diamondback 360 Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131028114420.htm

Rubio, Radel, Diaz-Balart push delay of Obamacare due to website's problems

Naples Daily News File Photo Congressman Trey Radel, pictured at an August 2013 town hall meeting in Naples, introduced a bill in the U.S. House along with Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate to delay the Affordable Care Act until all the issues are resolved with the program's website.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/oct/28/rubio-radel-diaz-balart-delay-obamacare-website/?partner=RSS

Biden to dine with freshmen House Democrats

The White House says Vice President Joe Biden is heading to the Capitol to have dinner with first-term House Democrats.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/biden-to-dine-with-freshmen-house-democrats/article/feed/2111500?custom_click=rss

Obama Lied, My Health Care Died

President Obama repeatedly assured Americans that after the Affordable Care Act became law, people who liked their health insurance would be able to keep it.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/10/obama-lied-my-health-care-died.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+powerlineblog%2Flivefeed+%28Power+Line%29

A New Era in U.S. Health Care: A Guide to Affordable Care Act...

"A New Era in U.S. Health Care: Critical Next Steps Under the Affordable Care Act" by Stephen M. Davidson, professor of health policy and management at the Boston University School of Management demystifies for unfamiliar readers the Affordable Care Act and sets an agenda for lawmakers and the health industry.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11268060.htm

MiMedx Reports On Meeting With FDA

MiMedx Group, Inc. , an integrated developer, manufacturer and marketer of patent protected regenerative biomaterials and bioimplants processed from human amniotic membrane, announced today that the Company concluded a productive meeting with the Food and Drug Administration earlier today, October 28, 2013.

http://www.freshnews.com/news/862691/mimedx-reports-on-meeting-with-fda

Fact Check: Sebelius misstates law on signup start

In fact, the decision when to launch the sign-up website was hers. The troubled debut of the government's health insurance enrollment website has raised questions about whether its start date should have been delayed to allow testing and repairs before it went live.

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/10/28/2797937/fact-check-sebelius-misstates.html

Budget battles will resume soon at a Congress near you

"The current political atmosphere isn't right for some sort of 'grand bargain'; it's too soon after the government shutdown," said Robert Bixby, the executive director of the nonpartisan Concord Coalition, a budget watchdog group.

http://www.kansas.com/2013/10/28/3083890/budget-battles-will-resume-soon.html

Critics point to drawbacks in changing health law deadline, 'individual mandate'

Extending the Affordable Care Act's March 31 open enrollment deadline has become a familiar plea for congressional Democrats frustrated with the poor performance of the federal insurance marketplace.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/28/3717363/critics-point-to-drawbacks-in.html

NBC Shock Report: Obama Administration Knew Millions Would Not Keep Their Health Insurance

We heard it a hundred times before Obamacare was rammed through Congress. Barack Obama promised Americans that if you like your healthcare plan you can keep your plan.

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/10/nbc-shock-report-obama-administration-knew-millions-of-americans-would-not-keep-their-health-insurance/

Federal judge says hospital restriction in Texas abortion law unconstitutional

A mother and her two daughters hold signs at an abortion rights march that originated at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, July 8, 2013.

http://rt.com/usa/texas-abortion-hospital-unconstitutional-881/

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Home health care hindered by lack of training

Ask Dolly Gregory about her younger years, and out come the newspaper clippings: She was once a firefighter -- one of Ohio's first women to suit up -- in a small Wood County town called Jerry City, an achievement noted in a 1973 issue of her local paper.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/needlogin?type=login&redirecturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenews-messenger.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D2013310270016%26nclick_check%3D1

9 Days to Go in Virginia; Bill Clinton Rallies the Blue Team

With the Virginia gubernatorial election in under 9 days, I attended this afternoon's rally for the Democratic ticket in Dale City.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/27/1251132/-9-Days-to-Go-in-Virginia-Bill-Clinton-Rallies-the-Blue-Team

What's Wrong With America

... said she received a recent letter from a young woman complaining about a 50% rate hike related to the healthcare law. Lenin wrote that the only question in politics is "Who-whom." Filling in the ellipsis, the question is, Who is screwing whom? ...

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/10/whats-wrong-with-america.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+powerlineblog%2Flivefeed+%28Power+Line%29

Dick Cheney: Republican Party needs to look to new generation of leaders as it try to rebuild

In this April 25, 2013, file photo former Vice President Dick Cheney participates in the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dick-cheney-republican-party-needs-to-look-to-new-generation-of-leaders-as-it-try-to-rebuild/2013/10/27/979217d8-3f6c-11e3-b028-de922d7a3f47_story.html

More

President Barack Obama's health secretary is in the hot seat this week as House Republicans get a chance to question her about the troubled rollout of the health care law they long have tried to repeal.

http://www.ktvn.com/story/23802202/sebelius-to-face-tough-questioning-on-health-law

Data center glitch is latest problem in 'Obamacare' rollout

A data center critical for allowing uninsured Americans to buy health coverage under President Barack Obama 's healthcare law went down on Sunday, halting online enrollment for all 50 states in the latest problem to hit the program's troubled rollout.

http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Data-center-glitch-is-latest-problem-in-Obamacare-rollout-329891

Another Glitch Obamacare Data Center Crashes

A data center critical for allowing uninsured Americans to buy health coverage under President Barack Obama's healthcare law went down on Sunday, the U.S. government said, in the latest problem for the "Obamacare" rollout.

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/10/another-glitch-obamacare-data-center-crashes/

Medicaid Commission To Vote Next Week On Recommendation

Members of the special commission studying whether to expand Medicaid in New Hampshire continue to hash out their differences in the face of a looming deadline.

http://nhpr.org/post/medicaid-commission-vote-next-week-recommendation?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NHPRNews+%28New+Hampshire+Public+Radio+News%29

No Paul Bunyan, But Health Law Education Efforts Ramp Up In State

"Tonight, this is probably going to feel like you are drinking from a fire hose," says Kelly Clark, State Director for AARP New Hampshire.

http://nhpr.org/post/no-paul-bunyan-health-law-education-efforts-ramp-state?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NHPRNews+%28New+Hampshire+Public+Radio+News%29

Sebelius to Face Tough Questioning on Health Law

Republicans said Sunday they intend to press Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Obama administration's troubled launch of healthcare.gov , the online portal to buy insurance, and concerns about the privacy of information that applicants submit under the new system.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/12084416/1/sebelius-to-face-tough-questioning-on-health-law.html?cm_ven=RSSFeed&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tsc%2Ffeeds%2Frss%2Flatest-stories+%28TheStreet.com+Latest+Headlines%29

Obamacare website undergoes management shakeup [Examiner, The (Washington, DC)]

Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) I just got off a conference call with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services featuring Jeff Zients, the former acting director of the Office of Management and Budget who has been brought in to fix the problems plaguing the rollout of President Obama's health care law.

http://technews.tmcnet.com/news/2013/10/27/7502818.htm

Intense pressure for Obama after poor health care launch

Republicans said Sunday they intend to press Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Obama administration's troubled launch of healthcare.gov, the online portal to buy insurance, and concerns about the privacy of information that applicants submit under the new system.

http://www.kpic.com/news/national/Sebelius-to-face-tough-questioning-on-health-law-229458541.html

Nobody's smiling on or at health website

Lawmakers from both major political parties on Sunday expressed concern over the botched rollout of the new federal health insurance website, with two Senate Democrats saying the problems are serious enough to justify delays to key provisions of the president's health care law.

http://www.twincities.com/national/ci_24399566/nobodys-smiling-or-at-health-website?source=rss

Sebelius to face tough questioning on health law

Republicans said Sunday they intend to press Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Obama administration's troubled launch of healthcare.gov, the online portal to buy insurance, and concerns about the privacy of information that applicants submit under the new system.

http://www.twincities.com/national/ci_24398037/sebelius-face-tough-questioning-health-law?source=rss

Administration: Personal info for health care only

That's always been the practice, but lingering fear among some immigrants that personal details could be used against them led the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to clarify.

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2013/10/26/3297141/administration-personal-info-for.html#storylink=rss

New ALS drug headed for phase II trial

The purpose of the phase IIa trial is to determine the safety and tolerability of TDI-132 in ALS patients.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131025135257.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fpharmacology+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+%26+Medicine+News+--+Pharmacology%29

Another Obamacare glitch: Data center shuts down

CNBC reports: A data center critical for allowing uninsured Americans to buy health coverage under President Barack Obama's healthcare law went down on Sunday, the U.S. government said, in the latest problem for the "Obamacare'' rollout.

http://nalert.blogspot.com/2013/10/another-obamacare-glitch-data-center_27.html

'Habilitation' is among new Obamacare benefits

But what if that capacity - be it walking or talking or brushing one's teeth - was never there in the first place? In that case, you aren't talking about "rehabilitation" but "habilitation."

http://www.adn.com/2013/10/27/3144875/habilitation-is-among-new-obamacare.html

UPDATE 1-Data center glitch is latest problem in 'Obamacare' rollout

A data center critical for allowing uninsured Americans to buy health coverage under President Barack Obama's healthcare law went down on Sunday, halting online enrollment for all 50 states in the latest problem to hit the program's troubled rollout.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/28/usa-healthcare-idUSL1N0IH0LV20131028?feedType=RSS&feedName=financialsSector

As Obamacare site stalls, consumers get dubious pitches

... even if you buy a legitimate insurance policy, you might lose out on tax subsidies offered under the healthcare law. "Obamacare Enrollment Team'' is the brand used by the Fiorella Insurance Agency to market policies during the healthcare rollout, ...

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/27/3715576/as-obamacare-site-stalls-consumers.html

Sebelius to face tough questioning on health law

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sits on a panel to answer questions about the Affordable Care Act enrollment, Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, in San Antonio.

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/politics/article/Sebelius-to-face-tough-questioning-on-health-law-4930416.php

Quotes of the day

... Gulf. Now, officials here privately concede, the White House cannot convey anything memorable about the new healthcare law until someone "fixes the damn web site." The great difference with the web site, unlike the drilling platform that exploded in ...

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/10/27/quotes-of-the-day-1538/

Data center glitch is latest problem in 'Obamacare' rollout

A data center critical for allowing uninsured Americans to buy health coverage under President Barack Obama's healthcare law went down on Sunday, halting online enrollment for all 50 states in the latest problem to hit the program's troubled rollout.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/28/us-usa-healthcare-idUSBRE99Q0DH20131028?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews

Clinton: Political extremism increases voter turnout

Conservative ideologues are reliable voters who could threaten Democrat Terry McAuliffe's political chances, former President Bill Clinton warned Sunday as he joined his longtime buddy's campaign for Virginia governor.

http://www.wusa9.com/rss/article/280732/158/Clinton-Political-extremism-increases-voter-turnout

Why the Obamacare Rollout Was a Disaster

Software expert Dan Weber , in a comment on Marginal Revolution , offers an exceptionally cogent technical explanation of the failure of the Obamacare launch: The front end technology is not the problem here.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/10/why-the-obamacare-rollout-was-a-disaster.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+powerlineblog%2Flivefeed+%28Power+Line%29

Obama Coming To Boston On Wednesday To Discuss Affordable Care Act

Obama is expected to speak at Fanueil Hall, where former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney signed his own version of health care reform into law in 2006.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/10/27/obama-coming-to-boston-on-wednesday-to-discuss-affordable-care-act/

Obama's legacy is failure

No need to wait around three years and beyond to know what Barack Obama's "legacy" will be.

http://enterstageright.com/archive/articles/1013/1013obamafailure.htm

E-cigarettes forging new pathway to addiction, death and disease

Electronic cigarette use among middle school children has doubled in just one year.

http://www.redwoodtimes.com/health/ci_24362755/e-cigarettes-forging-new-pathway-addiction-death-and?source=most_viewed

"I was all for Obamacare until I found out I was paying for it"

... sicker, poorer people who have been shut out of the system for years. Although recent criticism of the healthcare law has focused on website glitches and early enrollment snags, experts say sharp price increases for individual policies have the ...

http://patterico.com/2013/10/27/i-was-all-for-obamacare-until-i-found-out-i-was-paying-for-it/

Bill Clinton says Democrats cannot be complacent in Virginia governora s race

Former President Bill Clinton hit the campaign trail Sunday on behalf of his longtime buddy, Terry McAuliffe, who has opened up a lead in the Virginia governor's race.

http://www.680news.com/2013/10/27/bill-clinton-says-democrats-cannot-be-complacent-in-virginia-governors-race/

Sebelius to face tough questioning on health law

President Barack Obama's health secretary is in the hot seat this week as House Republicans get a chance to question her about the troubled rollout of the health care law they long have tried to repeal.The GOP-run House Energy and Commerce Committee hears from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday about the troubled ... (more)

http://www.chicagochronicle.com/index.php/sid/218005971/scat/c8ac3000ee01c7aa

Cheney Republicans need to look to new generation

Republicans in Congress don't usually fight for tax increases, especially ones that are part of President Barack Obama's health care law.

http://www.chicagochronicle.com/index.php/sid/218005242/scat/c8ac3000ee01c7aa

Comment(s) {0}

Republicans said Sunday they intend to press Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Obama administration's troubled launch of healthcare.gov, the online portal to buy insurance, and concerns about the privacy of information that applicants submit under the new system.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20131027-sebelius-to-face-tough-questioning-from-republicans-on-health-law.ece?nclick_check=1

McAuliffe and the Clintons: A friendship as close as family

Former President Bill Clinton, left, and former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAulliffe watch the Notre Dame vs. Pitt college basketball game on March 11, 2010, in New York.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-mcauliffes-and-the-clintons-a-friendship-as-close-as-family/2013/10/27/aaaac252-3d7d-11e3-a94f-b58017bfee6c_story.html

More

Republicans said Sunday they intend to press Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Obama administration's troubled launch of healthcare.gov, the online portal to buy insurance, and concerns about the privacy of information that applicants submit under the new system.

http://www.nbc12.com/story/23800408/sebelius-to-face-tough-questioning-on-health-law

Some health insurance gets pricier asObamacare rolls out

... sicker, poorer people who have been shut out of the system for years. Although recent criticism of the healthcare law has focused on website glitches and early enrollment snags, experts say sharp price increases for individual policies have the ...

http://lucianne.com/thread/?artnum=758114

Emperor Cruz has no Republican alternative healthcare plan clothes

When people are referring to an "emperor with no clothes" scenario, they mean that other people are being suck-up toadies and are collectively denying the truth of the situation.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/27/1248941/-Emperor-Cruz-has-no-Republican-alternative-healthcare-plan-clothes

KosAbilities: Use-ables: Better Care on Medicare - The Jimmo v Sebelius Win

KosAbility is a community diary series posted at 5 pm ET/2 pm PT every Sunday by volunteer diarists.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/27/1248520/-KosAbilities-Use-ables-Better-Care-on-Medicare-The-Jimmo-v-Sebelius-Win

Heath and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to Face Tough Questioning on Health Law

Republicans said Sunday they intend to press Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Obama administration's troubled launch of healthcare.gov, the online portal to buy insurance, and concerns about the privacy of information that applicants submit under the new system.

http://kstp.com/news/stories/s3201724.shtml?cat=1

Six people in New Hampshire have bought dental insurance in four weeks of Obamacare

After almost four weeks, six people have purchased dental insurance on the new federal insurance marketplace in New Hampshire, according to Northeast Delta Dental, the only company selling plans on the site.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/9021496-95/six-people-in-new-hampshire-have-bought-dental-insurance-in-four-weeks-of-obamacare

My Turn: Should people with mental illnesses own guns?

Should people with mental illnesses own guns? The shooters in the recent massacres in Newtown, Conn.; Aurora, Colo.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Virginia Tech all had mental illnesses.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/8988511-95/my-turn-should-people-with-mental-illnesses-own-guns

Davis picks architect of Baldwin's historic 2012 Senate victory as her campaign manager

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Wendy Davis announced Sunday she's picked the architect of Tammy Baldwin's historic U.S. Senate election last year to manage her campaign.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/davis-picks-architect-of-baldwins-historic-2012-senate-victory-as-her-campaign-manager/2013/10/27/597125ca-3f5d-11e3-b028-de922d7a3f47_story.html

Goodbye, HealthCare.gov lady. We barely knew you.

She is no longer, as of this weekend, the face of the health law's Web site. In her place are four bright logos, each representing a different way to apply for insurance coverage: Online, over the phone, with a paper application and in person.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/27/goodbye-healthcare-gov-lady-we-barely-knew-you/?tid=pm_business_pop

Clinton: Beware of rabid right-wing ideologues

Conservative ideologues are reliable voters who could threaten Democrat Terry McAuliffe 's political chances, former President Bill Clinton warned Sunday as he joined his longtime buddy's campaign for Virginia governor.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/49978

Sebelius headed for tough grilling on Capitol Hill

Republicans said Sunday they intend to press Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Obama administration's troubled launch of healthcare.gov, the online portal to buy insurance, and concerns about the privacy of information that applicants submit under the new system.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/49982

Health secretary faces tough questioning on 'Obamacare'

U.S. Health and Human Services Chief Kathleen Sebelius takes questions during a press conference about the Affordable Care Act at the Wesley Community and Health Center October 24, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona.

http://www.fox23news.com/news/national/story/Health-secretary-faces-tough-questioning-on/sfgdFxl6DUOSrhueGI3BPg.cspx?rss=41

Republicans ready to question Sebelius about troubled rollout of Obama's health care law

In this Aug. 1, 2012 file photo, Jeffrey Zients testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington.

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/0c07888092644a77ab24a05017271f01/US--Health-Overhaul

Vaping is a breath of sweet air

Brandon Lockridge and his electrician-school classmate stopped into The Vape Bar in San Jose, bellied up to the shiny wooden bar and ordered the usual.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_24379699/vaping-is-breath-sweet-air?source=rss

Data center glitch is latest problem in 'Obamacare' rollout

A data center critical for allowing uninsured Americans to buy health coverage under President Barack Obama's healthcare law went down on Sunday, the U.S. government said, in the latest problem for the "Obamacare" rollout.

http://yesbuthowever.com/data-center-glitch-is-latest-problem-in-obamacare-rollout-2/

Facial Injectables Industry 2013 Global Analysis in New Report at...

Global Facial Injectables Market Report: 2013 Edition research profiling Allergan Inc., Merz Pharma GmbH & Co.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013-facial-injectables/market-global-analysis/prweb11269523.htm

Saturday, October 26, 2013

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President Barack Obama on Monday offered "no excuses" - and little explanation - for the computer bugs still frustrating Americans who are trying to enroll online for insurance plans at the center of his health care law....

http://www.wave3.com/Global/category.asp?C=271428

Ohio GOP Senate leaders want income tax cut

Republican leaders in the Ohio Senate want savings from a Medicaid program expansion to finance a 4 percent state income tax cut.

http://www.crescent-news.com/latest%20headlines/2013/10/26/ohio-gop-senate-leaders-want-income-tax-cut

Administration: Personal info for health care only

The Obama administration is stressing that information submitted while signing up for coverage under the new health care law will not be used to enforce immigration law.

http://www.crescent-news.com/latest%20headlines/2013/10/26/administration-personal-info-for-health-care-only

Ohio GOP Senate leaders want income tax cut

State regulators and Ohio's attorney general are warning consumers about the illegal sale of cosmetic, or decorative, contact lenses often sold during the Halloween season.

http://www.wfmj.com/story/23798538/ohio-gop-senate-leaders-want-income-tax-cut

Re: Preening is not rebuttal

After the 2010 elections put North Carolina's legislature in the hands of Republicans for the first time in more than a century, state policy began a turn to the Right - that much is indisputable.

http://themountaineer.villagesoup.com/p/preening-is-not-rebuttal/1072184

Cruz at Iowa GOP fundraiser: Shutdown got people talking

Sen. Ted Cruz walks through tall grass during a pheasant hunt hosted by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, on Saturday.

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20131026/PC1603/131029423/1263/cruz-at-iowa-gop-fundraiser-shutdown-got-people-talking

NH slow to educate residents on health care law

But that's not necessarily a bad thing, and the state isn't alone. The New Hampshire Health Plan expects to award a marketing and advertising contract next week, nearly a month after enrollment began in the new online insurance markets created by the law.

http://www.kansas.com/2013/10/26/3079835/nh-slow-to-educate-residents-on.html

Macon digital volunteers ready for ‘Everyone On Day’

More than 20 volunteers are ready to provide free digital training during Saturday’s “Everyone On Day” at four Macon locations.

http://www.macon.com/2013/10/25/2738175/volunteers-ready-for-everyone.html

Embattled Nevada psychiatric hospital in danger of losing Medicare funds

A federal agency is moving to terminate Medicare funding for Nevada's embattled state psychiatric hospital, which has been under fire for busing hundreds of patients to states across the nation in the past five years.

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/10/5638886/embattled-nevada-psychiatric-hospital.html#mi_rss=Nevada%20Patient%20Busing

IRS says 330,000 have gotten results on insurance website

Despite the technical problems plaguing many of the new health insurance websites, the federal government has delivered 330,000 premium subsidy calculations to people who have gotten deep enough into the system to find out whether they qualify for financial help, the Internal Revenue Service said Saturday.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20131026/business/710269748/

Pennsylvania Governor Talks Up Plan To Expand Medicaid His Way

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett speaks at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/10/25/240762178/pennsylvania-governor-talks-up-plan-to-expand-medicaid-his-way?ft=1&f=2&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NprProgramsATC+%28NPR+Programs%3A+All+Things+Considered%29

HEIGHT: New patients could overload the system

We all agree that something needs to be done for our challenged health care system. But is the new health care law what we need? Will this help those who are poor receive health care they need?

http://www.ibj.com/height-new-patients-could-overload-the-system/PARAMS/article/43841

Shutdown orders issued as Congress misses deadline

For the first time in nearly two decades, the federal government staggered into a partial shutdown Monday at midnight after congressional Republicans demanded changes in the nation's health care law and President Barack Obama and Democrats refused.

http://www.ibj.com/shutdown-orders-issued-as-congress-misses-deadline/PARAMS/article/43787

Small-business insurers warn that Obamacare requires higher premiums in 2014

Small companies with a worker or two who have the misfortune to require serious medical care know what happens at insurance-renewal time.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3084061/posts

Official: Healthcare.gov to work smoothly by end of Nov.

The Affordable Care Act website, plagued by major problems since its rollout at the start of the month, should be functioning smoothly by the end of November, according to the official now in charge of fixing it.

http://www.ksbw.com/health-care-reform/official-health-care-site-fixable/-/21959826/22633066/-/1094nssz/-/index.html?absolute=true

While Alaska's report on Medicaid is secret, information is available from other sources

The finished report was delivered to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services April 12. Though it was prepared with $80,000 in public funds, was designed to inform public policy, is owned by the state, contains no reference to national security, doesn't mention the names of undercover officers or informants, and doesn't reference ... (more)

http://www.adn.com/2013/10/26/3144208/while-alaskas-report-on-medicaid.html

Obama admin. taps contractor to fix health website

In this Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 computer frame grab, the HealthCare.gov website is displayed.

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/health/health_care_reform&id=9302351&rss=rss-kfsn-article-9302351

As health marketplaces open, Vermont eyes bigger goal

As states open insurance marketplaces amid uncertainty about whether they're a solution for health care, Vermont is eyeing a bigger goal, one that more fully embraces a government-funded model.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/needlogin?type=login&redirecturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.burlingtonfreepress.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D2013310260021%26nclick_check%3D1

Governors candidates are high energy and deeply divided on the issues

On any number of policy issues ranging from health care, to environmental regulations to abortion, Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe are deeply divided.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/politics/dp-nws-politics-governors-race-20131027,0,7280409.story

Exchange Tax Credit Subsidy Headed to Supreme Court?

The troubles and headaches that have arisen from the roll out of the federal Marketplace Exchange may only be the beginning of stormy seas ahead as the Affordable Care Act goes into full implimentation mode come January 1, 2014.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1053101?ref=feeds%2Flatest

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