We at Basic American Comfort would like to bring to you the most interesting news in long-term care this week.

U.S. schedules trials of new swine flu vaccine

By Maggie Fox, Reuters. Jul 22, 2009 2:15 pm ET

The H1N1 vaccine trial phase will begin next month at eight different university medical centers. Through the trial process, experts will determine the necessary dose of the vaccine required to protect an adult. Both 15 microgram and 30 microgram doses will be tested. If it is found that adults can be protected with only 15 micrograms, more people will be able to receive the vaccine.

Pelosi Says Health Care Bill Is Still on Track

By David M. Herszenhorn and Robert Pear, New York Times. Jul 22, 2009

On Wednesday, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said that although health care reform legislation negotiations had been slowed by reservations expressed by the conservative Democratic “Blue Dog” group, Democrats were still on track to finalize the core points of the bill. A statement issued by Blue Dog group leader, Mike Ross (D-A.K.) indicated that much work still has to be done before an agreement will be reached. The statement read in part, “The Blue Dogs share the president’s goal of providing the American people with quality, affordable health care reform that’s deficit neutral, and we have put forth a number of substantive policy proposals over the past several months aimed at achieving this goal. We are making progress; however, we have a long way to go. The Blue Dogs will continue to work constructively with the administration, Chairman Waxman and members of the House and Senate to produce a bill that we can ultimately support.”

Experts Dispute Some Points in Health Talk

By Robert Pear and Peter Baker, New York Times. Jul 23, 2009

In last night’s Presidential Address, Obama spoke fluently of health care reform, but also made a few statements that some consider “debatable.” The President listed a number of groups he claimed supported health care overhaul, but omitted the fact that some of those he mentioned actually opposed the creation of a government-run health insurance plan – a key component of the Obama administration’s proposal. The President also suggested that huge savings could be found by limiting annual payment increases to health care providers and by putting together an independent group of medical experts and doctors to seek out and eliminate wastefulness in the system. The American Hospital Association opposes this stance, asking hospital officials to lobby against it.

GOP leaders McConnell, Boehner reply to Obama on healthcare (text)

Los Angeles Times. Jul 23, 2009

Boehner and McConnell respond to Mr. Obama’s news conference, discussing the benefits of preventative medicine, limiting “junk” lawsuits against medical practitioners and the taxation of health insurance. 

Mass. has lessons for health care debate

By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY. Jul 23, 2009

Massachusetts still struggles with overwhelming costs that consume up to fifty-percent of its budget three years after requiring all residents to get health insurance and asking taxpayers, employers and insurers to contribute. Now the state’s lawmakers are hoping to change the system once again, switching to a results-driven reward system for doctors and hospitals. With its experience in overhauling its own health care, the state has plenty to teach the nation’s lawmakers as they attempt to make the biggest changes to health care in 50 years. Included in these lessons are; sell the public on the plan, keep your friends close and your opposition closer and finally, don’t plan on smooth implementation or immediate success - - it can take years of trial and error to get any plan working well.

Sen. Hatch Exits Health Care Reform Negotiations, Citing Concerns Over Cost

Sen. Orrin Hatch had been part of a bipartisan group of seven members trying to hash out a health care reform compromise, but he has been absent from the talks for more than a week.

Fox News. Jul 23, 2009

New Old Age: Congress tackles long-term care

C.L.A.S.S. Act would establish a national long-term care insurance program

By Paula Span. New York Times. Jul 22, 2009 2:57 pm ET 

Millions in U.S. Can’t Afford Health Insurance

Obstacles mount when employer-based coverage is not an option, survey finds.

By Dennis Thompson, ABC News. Jul 22, 2009

Healthcare reform seen critical for rural U.S.

Study  by the Center for Rural Affairs released Tuesday

By Carey Gillam, Reuters. Jul 22, 2009

“Rural people have much to gain from inclusion of a public health insurance plan option in health care reform legislation, possibly more than any other group in the nation,” said Jon Bailey, director of analysis at the Center for Rural Affairs.

Maryland Board of Public Works approves O’Malley budget cuts

By Ryan Sharrow, Baltimore Business Journal. Jul 22, 2009

In a unanimous vote by the Maryland Board of Public Works, Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposal to cut Medicaid payments to skilled nursing facilities, hospitals and other providers by $34 million, has been approved.

World Population Grows Older, but at a Cost

By Bill Hendrick, WebMD Health News. Jul 22, 2009

A new 200-page report, called “An Aging World: 2008,” finds that 20% of women 40-44 in the United States had no biologic children in 2006, raising concerns that family involvement in long-term care will decrease as boomers age.

Medicare drug plan still needs work

More are covered, but gaps in coverage and other problems persist, analysis shows

By Karen Pallarito, HealthDay. U.S. News & World Report. Jul 22, 2009