Diana Manos

According to a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers survey, more than half of Americans surveyed believe that if universal health coverage is passed by Congress, it will not ensure equal access to care because of capacity constraints, particularly in emergency rooms.

In the thick of the health reform debate, health plans say they support covering pre-existing conditions as long as there is a mandate that everyone be covered.

The Puget Sound Health Alliance in Washington has unveiled an expanded and updated report card comparing area doctors and hospitals and highlighting where improvement is needed.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said America's Affordable Health Choices Act, the healthcare reform bill announced Tuesday by the House, is geared toward the middle class and would lower costs to consumers and businesses.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the Michigan Keystone ICU project is the first in a series of "success stories" that document innovative healthcare initiatives.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday it will release $350 million in preparedness grants to help state and local public health programs prepare for the H1N1 flu, or swine flu.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday it has posted new ratings on 4,000 hospitals on its "Hospital Compare" website, including new mortality and readmission data.

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is working on a reform bill proposed by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) that they hope to pass this summer.

Monlthly column from Diana Manos, Senior Editor

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced an agreement June 20 with the Senate Finance Committee and the White House to reduce drug costs for elderly Americans.