Cigna CEO: Don't Repeal Healthcare Improve It

Read about the healthcare law and find insurance plans at healthcare.gov:

"I don't think it's in our society's best interest to expend energy in repealing the law," David Cordani told the Reuters Health Summit in New York. "Our country expended over a year of sweat equity around the formation of it."
...
Cordani, whose company is one of the largest U.S. health insurance providers, said he does not see any immediate significant changes and is "knee-deep" in implementing various provisions affecting his company and other insurers.

The law enacts big changes on insurers, from billions of dollars in new taxes and consumer protections to spending caps to ensure a minimum amount of premium dollars are spent on medical care. It also aims to expand health insurance to roughly 30 million more Americans, requiring them to buy policies or face fines starting in 2014. More at Reuters

A Democrat Grows a Backbone Touts Healthcare

It's shameful the way democrats have shied from healthcare and Obama. BIG MISTAKE.

One of the most fascinating dynamics of this election year has been the way Democrats have stayed far away from reminding voters they voted for health care reform.
New York Democrat Scott Murphy is now bucking that trend.

He launched a television ad Wednesday aggressively attacking his GOP opponent Chris Gibson for wanting to repeal the health care law. More at CNN

Biden and Sebelius on Healthcare Benefits That Kicked in Today

Republicans tried to drown out new healthcare benefits that kicked in today with their lame "pledge," which is just rehashed republicanism. There are no specifics on what they will cut, aside from rich people's taxes.

The Kaiser Foundation has an awesome timeline of healthcare benefits by year.

Healthcare explained in animated form:

Obama's Schedule Sept. 22

Obama heads to Virginia to try and educate Americans about healthcare. Good luck Mr. President. Later, he'll be in NYC for fundraisers. Look for a live stream of Obama's remarks at 11:45 am est and 4:45 pm eastern here.

9:30 AM	The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing Oval Office Closed Press
10:00 AM	The President meets with senior advisors Oval Office Closed Press
10:35 AM	The President drops by a meeting with insurance commissioners Eisenhower Executive Office Building Closed Press
11:45 AM	The President holds a backyard discussion on health care reform and the Patient’s Bill of Rights Falls Church, Private Residence, Virginia Travel Pool Coverage
2:45 PM	The President departs the White House South Lawn Open Press
3:00 PM	The President departs Andrews Air Force Base en route New York Andrews Air Force Base Travel Pool Coverage
3:55 PM	The President arrives New York City, New York John F. Kennedy International Airport Travel Pool Coverage
4:45 PM	The President delivers remarks at the Millennium Development Goals Conference New York, New York City, United Nations Building Open Press
6:35 PM	The President delivers remarks at a DSCC/DCCC event New York, New York City, Roosevelt Hotel Travel Pool Coverage
7:30 PM	The President delivers remarks at a DSCC/DCCC dinner New York, New York City, Roosevelt Hotel Travel Pool Coverage

Most Minnesotans Wouldn't Vote for Pawlenty

Gov. Tim Pawlenty issued an executive order to restrict Minnesota's participation in the new healthcare law:

The Kaiser Family Foundation has calculated that about 250,000 Minnesotans would join the Medicaid rolls under the expansion. Pawlenty has said it would cost the state $430 million in the first three years. The Hill

He's being political, uh, I mean, choosy:

In fact, he's signaling that he could end up accepting other health care money from the federal government -- just not health care funds from that particular law. TPM

What a twit.
Meanwhile, Minnesotans don't seem to think much of Pawlenty:

According to the new poll, 54 percent of likely Minnesota voters disapprove of Pawlenty's numerous campaign swings outside of Minnesota.

And when it comes to whether Minnesotans would vote for Pawlenty for president, a majority, or 53 percent, consider that unlikely. Even nearly one in four Republicans, or 23 percent, say they've be unlikely to vote for him. MPR

Obama Administration Launches Healthcare.gov

Healthcare.gov explains healthcare according to where you live and who you are--individual, employer, pregnant, family... From HHS:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today unveiled an innovative new on-line tool that will help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage. Called for by the Affordable Care Act, HealthCare.gov is the first website to provide consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool.

“HealthCare.gov helps consumers take control of their health care and make the choices that are right for them, by putting the power of information at their fingertips,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “For too long, the insurance market has been confusing and hard to navigate. HealthCare.gov makes it easy for consumers and small businesses to compare health insurance plans in both the public and the private sector and find other important health care information.”

Barbara Bush: Healthcare is a Right

Barbara Bush, 28, says healthcare shouldn't just be for the rich. "I'm glad that a bill was passed," she said on the healthcare bill. Bush is president of the Global Health Corps, which funds college grads to work on public health.

Obama's Senior Healthcare Town Hall in Wheaton Video

Transcript.
More information for seniors who are being targeted by healthcare scams.

Obama's Schedule June 8 Includes Senior Healthcare Meeting in Wheaton

I'm glad to see healthcare back on the schedule.

In addition to all of Obama's usual briefings, his oil spill briefing times are now being posted. Tomorrow at 10:30 am eastern, Obama will get an update on BP's willful disaster in the gulf.

Obama leaves the White House at 11 am for a tele-town hall with seniors in Wheaton, Maryland.

The town hall on healthcare will take place at 11:40 am and it will be broadcast on C-SPAN--either on your TVs or the Internet.

At 2 pm, Obama will meet with his advisers.

At 2:45 pm, Obama meets with Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota. Dorgan has been a critic of Obama tending to healthcare and he's got beefs with the financial reform bill. He's also retiring.

At 6:30 pm, the Obamas host a congressional picnic at the White House.

Obama Town Hall on Senior Healthcare June 8

It's healthcare! The event starts at 11:40 am eastern and will be broadcast at CSPAN. Live stream at WhiteHouse.gov.

On Tuesday morning, June 8, President Barack Obama will participate in a national tele-town hall meeting at the Holiday Park Multipurpose Senior Center in Wheaton, Maryland with senior citizens to discuss the Affordable Care Act and efforts to combat senior scams and fraud in advance of the first mailing of the $250 “donut hole” rebate checks. In addition to attendees at the Senior Center, seniors across the country will be able to participate in the town hall meeting by phone. The President will be joined at the town hall meeting by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and representatives of the following organizations. See who'll be on the call here.

McCain Thinks We Visit the Doctor Regularly

ha! as if.
this is a very good post at dailykos that illustrates mcain's unawareness of the situation on the ground. that would be our ground, the one here, in america.