Health Care
Insurance Mandate Could Spur Walk-In Clinic Boom WFCR
()As it gets more difficult to see a primary care doctor, walk-in medical centers are picking up the slack. And if Congress succeeds in passing a nationwide health insurance mandate, the urgent care industry expects even more growth.
'Botax' In Senate Health Bill Upsets Plastic Surgeons
Levies on cosmetic procedures would generate billions of dollars to help cover the uninsured.
()Debating Benefits, Risks Of Routine Mammograms
Experts discuss how the new guidelines on mammograms were developed, and what they mean for women.
()Follow The Legislation
Senate Health Bill Faces Saturday Showdown()

November 20, 2009 Democrats will need to vote in lockstep to overcome GOP opposition in a key procedural vote to move the $848 billion measure to full debate. But it's not yet clear whether Majority Leader Harry Reid can round up enough support.
NPR Health Blog
Legislating In Secret Irks GOP, But Insiders Say It's SOP()

November 20, 2009 Squawking aside, closed-door legislative engineering is business as usual for the Senate.
Follow The Legislation
Senate Tries To Strike Balance On Abortion Language()

November 20, 2009 The fight over health care has moved to the Senate, and that means the fight over abortion is there as well. Earlier this month, the House passed legislation that would ban federal funding of abortion, but most Democrats say it went too far. Can the Senate's version find a compromise?
Politics
House Votes To Cancel Medicare Pay Cuts For Doctors()
November 20, 2009 Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was able to get the bill passed while the Senate couldn't by appending it to a more popular bill. Republicans complained that the cost of the measure was not offset and also charged that it was repayment to the AMA for endorsing the Democrats' health care bill.
Pelosi: Abortion Issue Won't Sink Health Care Bill()

November 19, 2009 In an NPR interview, the House speaker predicted she can corral enough votes from moderate Democrats to guarantee final passage of health care legislation — even if it contains the less-restrictive rules on abortion contained in the Senate version of the bill.
NPR Health Blog
Santa Wants Swine Flu Vaccine For Christmas()

November 19, 2009 Swarmed by kids, Santas are asking the government for priority access to the scarce H1N1 vaccine.
Health
Breast Cancer Advocates Not Buying New Guidelines()

November 19, 2009 Studies show that testing women in their 40s could save a small percentage of lives. But to some public health officials, it isn't worth the possible harm the excess testing causes. Cancer survivors and advocacy groups say the screening tool isn't perfect, but it's worth the risk.
NPR Health Blog
House Democrats Ask GAO To Investigate Drug Prices()

November 19, 2009 Some powerful Democrats in the House want the GAO to report on whether drug companies raised drug prices ahead of a health-care overhaul.
Health Care Innovations
Consumers' Guide To The Health Bills()
November 19, 2009 The health care overhaul debate in Congress now centers on two bills: the House measure and the Senate Democrats' version unveiled Wednesday. They differ in important ways. Here are commonly asked questions and answers about the bills.
NPR Health Blog
Backlash Over Mammogram Guideline Worries Evidence Advocates()
November 19, 2009 Resistance to guidelines against routine mammograms for women in their 40s suggests a tough road for other evidence-based recommendations in medicine.











