Weekly News Wrap-Up (March 1 - March 5)

Obama Takes Health Care Deadline to Democrats (The New York Times, March 4, 2010)
President Obama, beginning a full-court press for his health care overhaul, met Thursday with his insurance industry executives and House Democrats as party leaders on Capitol Hill struggled to figure out whether they could meet the president’s timetable for enacting legislation within a few weeks.

Obama Outlines Final Health Care Plan, Urges Congress to Act (CNN, March 4, 2010)
President Obama outlined his final version of a health care bill Wednesday and urged Congress to bring the plan to a conclusive vote within the next few weeks.

AHCA, Alliance Slam MedPAC for Skilled Nursing Pay Freeze Recommendation; Providers Call for End to Therapy Caps (McKnights Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, March 4, 2010)
This year’s recommendations from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission don’t take into account the worsening situation facing state Medicaid programs, and could prove harmful to senior care if adopted by Congress, long-term care groups warned Wednesday.