A strong majority disapprove of President Obama’s handling of healthcare, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released on Tuesday. According to the survey, 60 percent disapprove of how the president has handled the issue, against only 36 percent who approve. That’s down from last month, when 52 percent said they disapproved and 43 percent said they approved. It’s also the worst margin for the president since Quinnipiac began polling the question. Jonathan Easley at The Hill reports.
Three-month ‘doc fix’: That’s what a GOP source close to the talks expected as of Tuesday afternoon. The move would set the stage for Congress to approve permanent reform of Medicare’s sustainable growth rate next year while putting off the looming 20 percent pay cut to Medicare doctors. Offsets could come from rebasing payments to disproportionate share hospitals, the source said. Elise Viebeck at The Hill reports.
{mosads}Sebelius headed back to the Hill: Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will testify again before members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday. The event will provide Republicans a chance to grill the secretary on outstanding problems with HealthCare.gov. For a look at Sebelius’s prepared remarks, in which she touts the site’s progress, visit this page.
Uninsured not familiar: A majority of people in the United States say they now feel more informed about ObamaCare, but the uninsured are still not as familiar with the law and aren’t ready to enroll. Sixty percent of the public say they’ve become more knowledgeable about the healthcare law, according to a new survey by the Transamerica Center for Health Studies. Nearly two-thirds say they have done nothing in the last year to prepare for ObamaCare, which launched insurance exchanges on Oct. 1. Healthwatch has the story.
Today in mental health: Vice President Biden announced Tuesday that the administration is devoting an additional $100 million to improving mental health services in local communities. The notice came just days before the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Biden, who led the administration’s push for stricter gun laws in the wake of the killings, met with victims’ families Tuesday. Read more at Healthwatch.
GOP demands meeting: More than 30 House Republicans are requesting to meet with President Obama to “discuss real healthcare reform alternatives to ObamaCare.” Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) spearheaded the letter, signed by 33 other Republicans, and has been actively trying to change or repeal the Affordable Care Act. The nine GOP proposals listed include making health insurance companies compete nationwide across state lines and providing a universal tax incentive for buying health insurance. Healthwatch has more here.
State by state
Tenn. governor working with HHS on Medicaid expansion.
Feds approve Iowa Medicaid expansion plan .
Oregon gov. to seek reelection amid state’s O-Care troubles .
What you may have missed on Healthwatch
Dems push for animal antibiotic limits .
Vitter to Reid: ‘Come clean’ on exemptions.
GOP lawmakers fear Medicaid expansion straining system.
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Jonathan Easley / jeasley@digital-stage.thehill.com / 202-407-8014 / @joneasley
Elise Viebeck / eviebeck@digital-stage.thehill.com / 202-628-8523 / @eliseviebeck