House passes ‘Let Women Die’ bill: “Today the GOP-led House of Representatives, with the blessings and encouragement of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops and extremist religious groups such as the Family Research Council, passed a bill in a vote of 251 to 172 that would, among other things, allow doctors and hospitals to “exercise their conscience” by letting pregnant women facing emergency medical conditions die.” This is the House’s seventh anti-choice vote this session. [RH RealityCheck]
Anti-abortion group perform public ultrashound: “A coalition of anti-abortion groups performed a string of live ultrasounds on stage in the Congressional Auditorium Thursday morning to kick off its national ‘Voices From the Womb’ tour, which uses sonograms as a political tool to convert people into opposing abortion.” [Huffington Post]
Health insurance competition is limited: Health insurers face “modest” competition in many states’ individual and small group markets, according to a newly published study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Researchers “found a single insurer claimed at least half of the individual health insurance market in 30 states and the District of Columbia.” [Modern Healthcare]
GOP claims Obama administration wants your medical records: “House Republicans are alleging that the healthcare reform law would turn over everyone’s private medical records to the federal government” and have written a letter to Kathleen Sebelius urging her to reject the proposed regulation. [Julian Pecquet]
Number of rural providers double: “The number of people receiving healthcare through a program that puts doctors in underserved areas has more than doubled since President Obama took office, the Health and Human Services Department said Thursday.” [Sam Baker]
Nebraska insurance commissioner still unsure of exchanges: “Nebraska Department of Insurance Director Bruce Ramge says officials aren’t ready to decide whether to adopt a state-based health insurance exchange, a federal model or another option offered under the new national health care law. Ramge says officials still don’t know key details or the exact cost of a federal health care exchange, compared to one created by the state.” [NTV]