Health care spending in one map: “Health care spending in the United States ranges from a high of $9,278 per person in Massachusetts to $5,031 in Utah. On average, it hovers at $6,815 per person, a $1,300 increase from just over a decade ago, in 1998.” [Sarah Kliff]
States cut community health center funding: “Just as demand for services at community health centers has been projected to increase — both because of the recession and the health law’s expansions in access to medical care – state funding for these centers has reached a seven-year low for fiscal year 2012, according to a new report.” [Kaiser Health News]
Pelosi open to more means testing: “House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA) on Thursday (Dec. 8) left the door open to asking wealthy beneficiaries to pay more for Medicare Parts B and D services, a proposal that Republicans are pushing as part of a package to offset the cost of President Obama’s top priority, an extension of the payroll tax cut.” [Inside Health Policy]
Also backs administration on Plan B restriction: “I have the highest respect for Dr. Peggy Hamburg, the head of the FDA, and the recommendation that she made based on science,” Pelosi said at a news conference. “But it wasn’t satisfactory to the secretary for younger girls, and so perhaps more science is necessary.” [Sam Baker]
Planned Parenthood requests meeting with Sebelius over decision: “HHS’ decision to overrule the FDA hurts all women by imposing arbitrary restrictions on a product that is only effective when taken in a timely manner,” Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards said in a letter to Sebelius on Thursday. [Healthwatch]
McDonnell says VA should run its own health exchange: “Gov. Bob McDonnell wants Virginia to operate its own health insurance exchange, but only if the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the federal mandate that all individuals have health insurance. But the governor said Wednesday he doesn’t want to create an exchange legislatively until the U.S. Supreme Court acts on the constitutionality of the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.” [Richmond Times Dispatch]
Florida will implement a pre-reform exchange: “As states await the fate of the federal health care overhaul in the courts and the next Congress, Florida is moving forward with the implementation of Florida Health Choices, a program the state claims will decrease the complexity of health insurance for small businesses.” [Heartlander]
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