Senate panel advances Nelson-Dewhurst overhaul of health system payments

It wasn't a surprise but we note that Senate Republican leaders' two recycled bills for overhauling Texas' public and private health care sectors won approval from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/gKknlU

Why Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealth are so nervous

There were plenty of headlines this week about new insurance protections in the federal health law, and a decision by most big insurers to stop issuing new policies that cover only children, not adults, and aren't provided to youngsters through their parents' employers. Pick your MSM -- LA Times, Wash Post, NYT. Some 225 health policy wonks at an Austin conflab heard a former health insurance executive explain, from the inside, just why the for-profit insurance companies have the jitters.

Garrett explains: http://dallasne.ws/cCtFFw

UT medical school presidents warn of fewer new doctors under U.S. planned cuts

Garrett's got it:

AUSTIN – The federal health overhaul could dry up funds that the state's academic medical centers use to produce doctors in Texas, leaders of the University of Texas' six health science centers warned Wednesday.

The medical school presidents said they're not necessarily opposed to the sweeping legislation signed by President Barack Obama last spring, but they worry that their centers may absorb deep financial hits if they don't adapt to a changed marketplace and cut costs.


http://dallasne.ws/9z3S5k

Dewhurst: New federal health care law will bust Texas' budget

Gillman reports:
WASHINGTON – Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst warned this morning that the new federal health care legislation will bust Texas’ budget – saddling state taxpayers with $27 billion in extra costs over the next decade.
http://dallasne.ws/dBK19P

Perry, backer of poor don't see eye to eye on health bill

Garrett reports on varying interpretations of health bill's costs:

AUSTIN – State leaders say Congress' revamp of health care will require Texas to spend more to cover the poor, which may force them to cut other vital programs such as schools, roads and prisons.

Collected coverage of the historic health care vote from the pages (and blogs) of DMN

Obama to sign health bill, take it on the road
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is preparing to sign a transformative health care bill ushering in near-universal medical coverage for the first time in the nation's history - and then hit the road to sell it to a reluctant public.

Texas: Most uninsured, most votes against bill
WASHINGTON –The state with the most to gain from a health insurance overhaul was also the state with the most lawmakers who voted against the bill on Sunday. Twenty-one of 32 lawmakers from Texas, including 20 Republicans, voted against the measure. The opponents said the legislation was overwhelmingly unpopular in their districts, although it would offer insurance to more than half of Texas' 6 million uninsured.
Texas House Republicans deny making "baby killer" remark during health care debate
An ugly mystery remains from last night's historic health care vote: who shouted "baby killer" on the House floor at Rep. Bart Stupak? Suspicion for the outburst has been cast at the 20-member Texas Republican delegation. So far, we've contacted more than half the roster and gotten nothing but denials.
Just in -- Gillman tweets from DC: "Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, has admitted shouting "Baby Killer" on House floor last night. Says he has apologized to Rep. Bart Stupak"

"Baby Killer" shout came from Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock

Rep. Pete Sessions' balcony cameo in 'Kill the Bill'
Lots of political theater at the U.S. Capitol yesterday as the House passed the Democratic health care legislation. At one point, several Republican lawmakers walked out on the member-only balcony just off the House floor and held up letters spelling out "Kill the Bill" for a crowd gathered outside. For those without magnifying glasses, as a public service, Trailblazers has confirmed that the Ls in "Bill" were Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas.

TX leaders are oh so partisan on health bill's merits
To Republican Gov. Rick Perry, it's encroaching socialism. To Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, it's a budget-buster. To Democratic lawmaker Garnet Coleman, it's about time someone fixed what state GOP leaders won't.

Abbott says Texas will challenge health bill
Less than an hour after the U.S. House passed a huge health care overhaul bill last night, Abbott said Texas and other states would go to court to challenge its constitutionality.
 
Obama, Democrats get big victory
Tonight's House vote paving the way for health insurance reform gives Barack Obama the biggest victory of his young administration.

At last, something Pete Sessions and Martin Frost agree on: deeming

Deeming deemed unseemly. Gillman reports:

The talk in Washington this week is on arcane House procedure. The Democrats are talking about passing the Senate health care bill without taking a direct vote on it, by "deeming" it approved if the majority approves a related but less controversial measure.

Edwards opposes health care bill

WASHINGTON – House Democratic leaders hunting for votes to pass health overhaul legislation won't get support from Central Texas Rep. Chet Edwards, despite a personal plea from President Barack Obama. Dave Michaels reports.