Even during August break, congressional health policy concerns draw headlines

Aug 10 2012

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., is working to build support for new legislation to expand Medicare's nursing home coverage while Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., notes problems within the Indian Health Service. All the while, the health law's contraception coverage mandate continues to trigger disputes.

Kaiser Health News: Capsules: Rep. Courtney Pushes Bill To Expand Medicare Coverage Of Nursing Homes
Congress may be in recess, but Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., isn't taking a vacation just yet.  He went to a New London nursing home Wednesday to drum up support for legislation that would help residents such as a 98-year-old woman whose life savings were wiped out by nursing home bills Medicare wouldn't pay (Jaffe, 8/8).

The Hill: Baucus Says Indian Health Service Has 'Serious' Problems, Needs More Money
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said Wednesday that the healthcare system for Native Americans is plagued by "serious" problems, including a severe shortage of doctors. Baucus, the chairman of the powerful Finance Committee, addressed the issue at a Native American hospital in his home state. He said many problems demand better systems and more money.  He also cited more specific problems, saying the hospital where he made his remarks had refused to provide rape kits to some female patients (Baker, 8/8).

Kaiser Health News: Health On The Hill: Contraception Coverage Issue Continues To Smolder On Capitol Hill (Video)
Kaiser Health News' Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about the continuing dispute over the health law provision mandating free-to-consumers contraception coverage, as the focus broadens from Congress to the courts as well (8/8).