Higher prices charged by hospitals drove health spending during downturn: “Higher prices charged by hospitals, outpatient centers and other providers drove up health care spending at double the rate of inflation during the economic downturn– even as patients consumed less medical care overall, according to a new study.” [Kaiser Health News]
Diabetes on the rise among teenagers: “Nearly one in four American adolescents may be on the verge of developing Type 2 diabetes or could already be diabetic, representing a sharp increase in the disease’s prevalence among children ages 12 to 19 since a decade ago, when it was estimated that fewer than one in 10 were at risk for or had diabetes, according to a new study.” [New York Times]
New Hampshire Senate again acting on anti-abortion bills: “New Hampshire’s Senate is voting again whether to require pregnant women to wait 24 hours for an abortion, whether to exclude contraceptive coverage from some health plans and other Senate bills amended by the House.” [AP]
Supreme Court decision on federal health care law could fire up young voters: “But the U.S. Supreme Court could strike down the health care law when it rules on a constitutional challenge, probably in June. The law is unpopular in Ohio, polling shows, and Ohio voters have already said through a ballot initiative that they want to invalidate its mandate for nearly everyone to get health insurance. Yet its proposed cancellation has the potential to anger young adults, an important voting bloc for Obama in November.” [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
Backers of health insurance rate regulation edge closer to California ballot: “The initiative is expected to spark an expensive campaign battle over rising health insurance rates, which have angered thousands of California consumers in recent years. This measure seeks to regulate rate increases for health policies sold to individuals and small businesses, which cover about 5 million people.” [Los Angeles Times]
Illinois receives health care grant, but use of funds unclear: “Illinois has received a $32.8 million federal grant to help establish a statewide health insurance exchange, but it’s unclear how the money will be used. The grant, announced this week, is in addition to $6 million in grants the state previously received for the exchange.” [State Journal-Register]
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