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HEADLINE NEWS

THE WELLPOINT MUGGING: The brawl over rate increases is a preview of ObamaCare.

Diving Into WellPoint's Health Insurance Profits:  Big hike in some rates raises sticky issue, what's a fair profit for a health insurer?

Anthem Blue Cross of California Agrees to Delay Rate Increase:  Anthem Blue Cross agreed to a request by the California Department of Insurance to postpone a rate adjustment for individual members in California by two months to allow the Department additional time for review.

Obama Health Plan In Doubt As Dems Reject Fast Fix:  Though reeling from a political body blow, House Democrats rejected the quickest fix to their health care dilemma Thursday and signaled that any agreement on President Barack Obama's signature issue will come slowly, if at all.

California single-payer plan advances:  As national health care reform grew more uncertain, the California Legislature on Thursday pushed forward a controversial proposal to create a single-payer health system in the state.

California Senate approves single-payer health care:  The California Senate has approved creating a government-run health care system, ignoring a veto pledge from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Medicare Cuts May Burden Doctors:  A plan to slash more than $500 billion from future Medicare spending — one of the biggest sources of funding for President Obama's proposed overhaul of the nation's healthcare system — would sharply reduce benefits for some senior citizens and could jeopardize access to care for millions of others, according to a government evaluation released Saturday.

Once-a-Week Workout Keeps Elderly Strong: One workout a week can mean the difference between frailty and freedom.

FDA OKs Device to Treat Back Pain: The government on Tuesday approved sales of a device that could radically change surgery for certain back pain sufferers.

Medicare, medicaid underpayments push private premiums up:  An analysis of California hospital costs and revenues released today by Blue Shield of California indicates that low reimbursement rates paid by Medicare and Medi-Cal (the state's Medicaid program) may result in cost-shifting onto private insurers amounting to 9.5 percent of premiums.

health benefit taxation sparks debate in congress:  For 60 years, American workers have received job-sponsored healthcare benefits that neither they nor corporations pay taxes on, but some groups are pushing for an end to that arrangement.