Health Care Reform
A Guide to Selected Government Information Available at WIU's Government Publications Library
(Revised -- 7/06)
Web version of this guide includes links to web resources.
Federal Government Information
The Uninsured
This hearing attempts to identify the Americans who lack affordable health insurance, the causes and consequences of a lack of health insurance, and the tax and
regulatory policies that affect health insurance access. 2004
Y 4.W 36:108-50
The Future of Medicaid: Strategies for Strengthening America's Vital Safety Net
This hearing attempts to find common ground between the state and federal governments to address the growing Medicaid costs that the states are facing. 2005
Y 4.F 49:S.HRG.109-234
Assessing Public Health and the Delivery of Care in the Wake of Katrina
This hearing examines the current health care situation in the gulf coast, the health delivery infrastructure in general, and the levels of preparation and response to
similar natural disasters in the future. 2005
Y 4.C 73/8:109-50
Post-Acute Care
This hearing focuses on current financing for post-acute care services in Medicare, the available services, the patient assessment tools used in each setting, and the
prospects for a common patient assessment instrument and a more rational payment system. 2005
Y 4.W 36:109-30
Reforming Health Care for the 21st Century
This booklet by the National Economic Council explains the Bush Administration's vision for health care. 2006
The Big Picture/Health Care
This website of the House Democrats offers their views on fixing America's health care problems.
The Official U.S. Site for People with Medicare
This website explains the medicare plan choices and offers a landscape of local plans with a state-by-state breakdown of the new medicare drug coverage.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
CMS is responsible for assuring health care security for beneficiaries. This website explains important health benefit laws and offers research and statistics to consumers, pharmacists, and doctors. It also includes a summary of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act enacted in 2003.
Analyses of Medicare Prescription Drug and Reform Legislation
This Congressional Budget Office website offers letters, tables, and research pertaining to prescription drug reform legislation.
Value-Based Purchasing for Physicians Under Medicare
This hearing will examine a repeal of the old physician fee schedule and the implementation of a payment system which rewards physicians for delivering quality care. 2005
Y 4.W 36:109-50
The Medicare Value-Based Purchasing for Physicians Act
This hearing examines the provisions of H.R. 3617 which would repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate Formula and replace it with an annual update based on cost changes and
care quality. 2005
Y 4.W 36:109-42
lllinois Government Information
Health Care Justice Act
This website of the Illinois Department of Public Health informs the public on Task Force work. The Act calls for Illinois to adopt a maintainable health care plan that facilitates access to preventative and long-term health care. It also establishes an Adequate Health Care Task Force and mandates regular public hearings.
Legal Information
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
Signed into law in 2003, this is the largest overhaul of the Medicare program in its 38-year history.
P.L. 108-173 (2003) 117 STAT. 2066
"Inequities in Healthcare"
This entire volume contains articles devoted to healthcare disparities and possibilities for reform. Topics explored include the mentally ill and treatment of minorities,
among others.
American Journal of Law and Medicine. Volume 29 Nos. 2 & 3 2003
"Government Does, Indeed, Ration Health Care"
A look at state roles in health care and the idea that each state rations health care in its budget. The author proposes that, since health care resources are limited and
the needs are endless, state health care policies should focus more on meeting the needs of the population as a whole.
State Legislatures April 1999 pp. 26-28
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
An Act "to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance
and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health
insurance, and for other purposes."
Public Law 104-191 110 STAT. 1936
Balanced Budget Act of 1997
Title IV of this Act -- entitled "Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Provisions" -- contains amendments to the Social Security Act regarding Medicare+Choice
Plans, Medigap protections, prevention and rural initiatives, fraud and abuse sanctions, and payment clarifications. It also establishes State Children's Health Insurance Programs.
Public Law 105-33 111 STAT. 251
Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
An Illinois law similar in scope to the above federal Act of similar name (PL 104-191) designed to limit preexisting condition exclusions and participant discrimination.
215 ILCS 97/1
"The Managed Care Backlash"
This special issue of many articles is devoted entirely to managed care and explores what we know about it, where the inherent problems and possible solutions are,
and who is responsible for the reform.
Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law. Vol. 24, N0. 5 October 1999
"The Stages of Managed Care Regulation: Developing Better Rules"
This article focuses on the current state of managed health care, the reasons States are finding it necessary to legislate and the resulting federal intervention.
It also assesses whether or not the direction managed care is going meets traditional standards sought in health care.
Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law. Vol. 24, No. 6 December 1999 pp. 1275-1305